2018 Audi Q3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (5) · Electrical System (5) · Tires (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi Q3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal 2019-05-23 · campaign 19V385000 · 23,241 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
Service bulletins (588)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Structure:body 2026-09-18 · TSB_2078648_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Showing the 6 most recent of 588 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-03 · Engine“on 5/18/2026 my wife left home to run an errand in our newly purchased 2018 audi q3. about 1-2 miles away from home, she experienced a strange sound coming from the engine bay, the car lost accelerating power, and the car displayed a warning message that the oil pressure was low and to stop operating the car. the power briefly returned, and she was…”
2026-02-23 · Tires · 7,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 audi q3 equipped with continental tires, tire line: conti procontact, tire size: 255/40/19, dot number: (na). while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact experienced a blowout. the contact pulled over to the side of the road and replaced the tire. the cause of the failure was not yet determined. however, upon inspecti…”
2024-07-12 · Engine · 42,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 audi q3. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the engine. the contact was informed that …”
2024-02-03 · Air Bags“steering wheel clicking and accessories and functions not working along with airbag (malfunction) light illuminated on 2018 audi q3 with 66,000 miles.…”
2024-02-02 · Electrical System“the entire air conditioning system had to be replaced at the tune of $2422. the car is only 5 1/2 years old and it was not covered under warranty. i have researched this issue online and there are numerous people complaining about this very same issue. why haven't a recall been campaigned? air /heat air compressor, condenser and a/c kit had to be r…”
2023-11-13 · Power Train“in 2020, volkswagen group of america, inc. extended the warranty on its transfer case for 2011 - 2018 porsche cayenne and macan models. this was in response to what one article described as “[m]any porsche cayenne and macan owners have experienced recurring problems with their 4wd transfer case. we have the issues and the symptoms, such as vibratio…”
2023-10-27 · Unknown Or Other“heard a loud exploding sound while driving down the street. quickly realized that the sunroof exploded and shattered on it own. no impact and nothing fell on it. just a random explosion. called local audi dealership and they have heard of this issue in audis, but that there is no active recall. …”
2023-07-08 · Unknown Or Other“my car stalled. i could not moved the car. mobile mechanic came saw the alternator belt was broke. he repaired the belt and alternator. when he started the car, smoke and loud squeal came from engine. he immediately shut it off. the car has less than 60k miles. i have not driven the car as much due to travel. …”
2023-06-14 · Electrical System · 103,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 audi q3. the contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel hand activated controls ceased functioning. the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. the contact was able to control of the vehicle however, the contact was unsure if the air bags would deploy in the event of a crash.…”
2023-05-23 · Electrical System“my 2018 audi q3 had a defective clock spring which caused the buttons on the steering wheel to not work and the airbag to not work. this is apparently a known issue with certain volkswagen manufactured clock springs and there is a recall on the vw cars and not on the audi. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.