2016 Audi Q3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Q3 years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi Q3. That ranks 3rd out of 13 Q3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints, 36%), typically at around 29,324 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 28owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Audi Q3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 | 36% | 29,324 | — | — |
| Engine | 7 | 25% | 49,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 11% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 11% | 49,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 11% | 7,800 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 7% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 7% | 100 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 4% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 4% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 4% | 42,465 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% | 14,500 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Audi Q3 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Problem: 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.
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking; exterior lighting:brake lights
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 45G6.
Exterior lighting; electrical system:software
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. 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: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The engine oil consumption rate is alarming going thru quarts or entire oil change in a week or two of driving depending how much it was driven. Audi has admitted the pistons are at fault along with piston rings. It is unsafe and can cause engine to seize up and lose control which can lead to…
To Whom It May Concern: I am writing this communication to you per an attorney referral. I have an Audi that was included in the Turbo Class Action Lawsuit. See [XXX] My VIN was included in the lawsuit. The lawsuit was won on December 4th 2025. The class action lawsuit only covers and reimburses…
The vehicle emits a smell of fuel into the cabin of the car, and if the windows are up, this makes the driver sleepy and could cause a crash. It does not read fuel levels properly. The car has been taken to Butler, who said they could not find a problem. It was then taken to Audi Agusta (Gerald…
In 4/2024 car wouldnât start. Took to Audi for new battery and was told Water pump failed so it was replaced with delays. In 3/2025 noticed no heat and car took a long time to warm up. Took back to dealership replaced thermostat. Still no heat so I was told ok to drive but need to flush heater…
Owned car for 4 years. Car has a panoramic sunroof in two sections. rear section is glass and does not move. Front section is glass and does actuate. On [XXX]. All was fine. Driving on smooth highway, [XXX (at XXX]. No other vehicles within site behind or in front around me). Sunroof was 100%…
Other Audi Q3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q3 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 Q3 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 Q3 | 18 | 2 |
| 2023 Q3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 Q3 | 34 | 5 |
| 2021 Q3 | 15 | 3 |
| 2020 Q3 | 66 | 3 |
| 2019 Q3 | 10 | 4 |
| 2018 Q3 | 26 | 1 |
| 2017 Q3 | 8 | 3 |
| 2016 | 28 | 3 |
| 2015 Q3 | 23 | 2 |
| 2008 Q3 | 1 | 0 |
See all Audi Q3 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.
Similar Audi models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi Q3?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, air bags problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 10 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Audi Q3?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Audi Q3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Q3 model years, the 2016 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.