2018 Audi Q3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Q3 years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi Q3. That ranks 4th out of 13 Q3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (7 complaints, 27%), typically at around 42,000 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.

- 26owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 27% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 7 | 27% | 13,750 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 6 | 23% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 15% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 8% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 4% | 62,352 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% | 100 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 Audi Q3 recalls (1)
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 | 26 | 1 |
| 2017 Q3 | 8 | 3 |
| 2016 Q3 | 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 2018 Audi Q3?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 7 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Audi Q3?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 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 2018 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.