2018 AUDI Q3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
29
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
18
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 AUDI Q3
The 2018 AUDI Q3 has received a total of 29 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL. 18 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Unknown Or Other (7 complaints), Electrical System (6 complaints), and Engine (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 2018 AUDI Q3
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2018 AUDI Q3, potentially affecting up to 23,241 vehicles.
Recall 19V385000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
| 23,241 vehicles affected
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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 AUDI Q3
29 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 AUDI Q3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a carbon build-up in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Steering wheel clicking and accessories and functions not working along with airbag (malfunction) light illuminated on 2018 Audi Q3 with 66,000 miles.
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 replaced.
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 vibrations under acceleration, highlighted in our common problems section.” Porsche and Audi share vehicle architecture for SUV models. In an April 2017 press release, Porsche touted the fact that Audi and Porsche share architecture with respect to the two brands’ SUVs noting “Audi, VW and Porsche have worked together successfully for many years in the area of SUVs, and with the new development cooperation, Porsche and Audi are positioning themselves for the next decade. In the coming months, joint teams will prepare the specific areas of cooperation and define the roadmap as far as 2025. The focus is on the joint development of shared vehicle architectures, modules and components.” My 2018 Audi experiences a “jerk” during gear shifts feeling like an interruption during acceleration with a slight vibration. This jerky shifting is especially prominent when driving uphill. The issue persists today despite two service professionals trying to diagnose and correct the issue. I cannot speak to the safety risks this issue may present to myself and my passengers other than to say the “jerking” and surprise hard-shift may cause passengers to react in an unsafe manner when traveling at high-speeds. I am submitting this matter as I believe the issue that existed with the Porsche SUVs that motivated Volkswagen, i.e., the Parent Company’s, decision to extend the transfer case warranty, exists with the same model year Audis and may present a safety risk. More Audi’s exist than Porsche models making it more expensive for Volkswagen to correct this for Audi. Correcting this for only high-end models and not lower-end is worth reviewing.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2018 AUDI Q3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 AUDI Q3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 AUDI Q3
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 18 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 AUDI Q3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
A5723122063376_3 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
This bulletin provides information for when the message "Child lock: malfunction" is displayed in the instrument cluster, and DTC B14FF29 is stored in the rear door control modules.
A3922482059759_3 — ENGINE
This bulletin advises to apply silicone sealant when an engine leak is identified from the front end of the vehicle or the engine compartment.
A5721792063376_2 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
This bulletin contains repair instructions for when DTC B14FF29 is stored.
A5521522060901_3 — STRUCTURE
This bulletin contains repair for when the rear lid is out of alignment.
A3920312059759_1 — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin contains instructions for an oil leak in the bevel box.
ATE-19-04 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
VAS5578 special tool auto-shipment communication.
ATE-19-04 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
VAS5578 special tool auto-shipment communication.
A911929 2053598 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin contains instructions for MIB2 Standard on how to update the MMI.
A201803 2051297- — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
This repair authorization is for a humming noise heard in the rear of the vehicle after the car has warmed up.
A201803 2051297- — EQUIPMENT
This repair authorization is for a humming noise heard in the rear of the vehicle after the car has warmed up.
Showing 10 of 18 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 AUDI Q3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI Q3
- 2013 AUDI Q3 — 0 complaints
- 2014 AUDI Q3 — 0 complaints
- 2015 AUDI Q3 — 29 complaints
- 2016 AUDI Q3 — 37 complaints
- 2017 AUDI Q3 — 6 complaints
- 2018 AUDI Q3 (current)
- 2019 AUDI Q3 — 15 complaints
- 2020 AUDI Q3 — 110 complaints
- 2021 AUDI Q3 — 21 complaints
- 2022 AUDI Q3 — 44 complaints
- 2023 AUDI Q3 — 4 complaints