2020 Audi Q3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Q3 years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Audi Q3. That is the most of any Q3 model year in the database (13 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (22 complaints, 33%), typically at around 1,700 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 66owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2020 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 | 22 | 33% | 1,700 | — | — |
| Engine | 20 | 30% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 27% | 1,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 11 | 17% | 275 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 15% | 1,951 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 9% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 9% | 1,545 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 8% | 6,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 3% | 25 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 2% | 1,545 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | 5,437 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2020 Audi Q3 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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:critical fasteners
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
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 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 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…
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.
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…
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…
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 | 66 | 3 |
| 2019 Q3 | 10 | 4 |
| 2018 Q3 | 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Audi Q3?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, unknown or other problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 22 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Audi Q3?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2020 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 2020 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.