2020 Audi Q3 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Audi Q3, most often about engine. There are 3 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 63
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 1,982 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 21 of 63 complaints (33%).
- Electrical System (20) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (9) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 1,982 mi.
- Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
- The 2020 Audi Q3 has 3 recalls on file.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 12 Audi Q3 model years we track.
- That is 530% more complaints than the 2019 model year (10).
2020 Audi Q3 problems by category
- 21 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash20 complaints
- Other / Unknown18 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion9 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash8 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain6 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control6 complaints
- Brakes5 complaints
- Lighting4 complaints
- Body & Structure4 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash2 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash2 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 20 |
| Electrical system | 20 |
| Unknown or other | 18 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 |
| Power train | 6 |
| Service brakes | 5 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Audi Q3 recalls (3)
- STEERING
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q3 vehicles. The brake pedal plate can bend or detach under the pressure applied during sudden stopping.
Risk: A bent or detached brake pedal plate decreases the contact area for the driver's foot and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the weld between the brake pedal and the brake pedal plate and, as necessary, replace the entire brake pedal, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46i7.
- SEATS · SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2020 Audi Q3 vehicle. The driver's seat frame may have incorrectly been bolted to the seat rail.
Risk: The incorrect bolt connection could fail, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolt connection and, as necessary, replace the seat structure, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72L4.
Recent 2020 Audi Q3 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 7, 2026CACrashSteering
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 2 MPH, the vehicle started shaking, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The steering wheel was shaking and became uncontrollable, and the vehicle crashed into a parked BMW. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V590000 (Steering). The driver left a message. The driver of the BMW was gone when the driver returned. There was…
NHTSA complaint #11769677 · source - Filed Sep 16, 2026OHSteering
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V590000 (Steering); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11764695 · source - Filed Aug 3, 2026MDOther / Unknown
The sunroof leaked during rain causing both known and unknown damage to electrical components in the overhead panel. Lights came on and went off intermittently.
NHTSA complaint #11754419 · source - Filed May 3, 2026ILWheels & Tires
Last week 4/28/26, I purchased four Crossclimate 2 235/50R19 tires from Costco in [XXX] . Order #XXX. My question is two of the tires do not have a DOT number on the side wall. Two tires have DOT [1426] Along with [047X]. The other tires only have [047X]. No week or year of manufacture. Those tires appear to have a white powdery coating on the sidewall. I asked the technician at Costco about the missing DOT date on two of the tires. He didn't seem to know what I was taking…
NHTSA complaint #11735380 · source - Filed Jan 22, 2026ORBody & StructureLightingOther / Unknown
I purchased this vehicle new in June 2020. Since January 2022, it has experienced recurring water intrusion into the passenger cabin during heavy rain. Water leaks from the ceiling around the overhead console near the front reading/map lights. During heavy rain, water pools and causes the interior lights to turn on unexpectedly while driving. Generally, the lights cannot be turned off or immediately reactivate, creating a safety hazard at night. Water also drips onto the…
NHTSA complaint #11712778 · source - Filed Jan 8, 2026FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
I purchased my 2020 Audi Q3 in August of 2020. I am submitting this complaint regarding the recurring and unacceptable issue with my Audi. In February of 2023 my vehicle started shaking and stalled while driving. I could not restart for awhile, after a few minutes it restarted. I took it to Audi and they verified that the output of fuel pump did not meet minimum flow. They replaced the pump. Then in November of 2025 my car stalled again, doing the same thing, after a few…
NHTSA complaint #11709675 · source - Filed Aug 21, 2025NYElectrical System
Rear hatch randomly operable / inoperable. "Reset" computer without success. Dangerous situation as anything inside hatch is not not accessible. Was told by Audi that the entire rear hatch latch system needs replacement and this is "a common issue"...
NHTSA complaint #11682115 · source - Filed Jul 19, 2025WAElectrical System
I purchased a 2020 Audi Q3 S-Line (VIN: [XXX] ) on [XXX], with 27,564 miles on it. I bought the vehicle from a dealership that specializes in high-end aftermarket cars, and they provided a maintenance report stating the vehicle had passed all inspections at the time of sale. The vehicle had been imported from Canada to the U.S., and the Carfax report reflected consistent maintenance at authorized Audi dealerships in Canada, including a full inspection and…
NHTSA complaint #11674681 · source
Compare the 2020 Audi Q3 with another vehicle →
Other 2020 Audi models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology