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Audi Q3Model year report

2016 Audi Q3 Problems

Compared with other Audi Q3 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

14/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
25,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Audi Q3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2016 Audi Q3. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by engine (7) and fuel system (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 85% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 670 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 156 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 31 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 Audi Q3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 14 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The radio to the vehicle becomes non-operational intermittently, I.e. This has taken place in the past two consecutive days. Start the car in the morning, and noticed no radio, and loss of volume control. After a period of time, the radio becomes functional, and the volume control is enabled. This has not taken place when I bought the car new from the dealership, however recently it has become an annoyance, and distracting. …”

NHTSA complaint #11042813, filed 2017-11, 43,300 miles

Engine: “Had pistons and rings replaced by Audi dealership. After repairs were completed my car was burning through excessive amounts of oil. The engine seized while I was driving on highway. A replacement engine was installed after that by Audi. Now have clusters lights on dash after picking up car from the dealership. My car was not listed in class action lawsuit. I want to know why? When all of the repairs were what was in the lawsuit.”

NHTSA complaint #11640285, filed 2025-02

Fuel system: “Failure of seal between injector and fuel rail caused fuel to be sprayed into engine compartment. I believe the injector seal was damaged during a prior service. Fuel sprayed onto the front of the engine and gasoline fumes filled cabin. Check engine light came on after engine died from lack of fuel. Safety issue is the accumulation of gasoline in the engine compartment & the car continues to pump fuel. No apparent safety measure to cut off fuel when excessive fuel is being delivered to engine. I repaired vehicle, but only replaced the bad o-ring and another o-ring that appeared to be damaged. …”

NHTSA complaint #11427317, filed 2021-07

Air bags: “My air bag light is on , scan says that igniter is shorting too ground, passanger side issue Q3 's are built on the a3 platform and should be covered under the a3 airbag recall 2015-2019”

NHTSA complaint #11415157, filed 2021-05, 25,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

85% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,500 and 43,300 miles.

23%0–1023%10–2538%25–508%50–758%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 25,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

201720206202220242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Audi Q3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Q3 FWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202823$3,550
Q3 quattro AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202823$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Audi Q3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 670 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 670 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi Q3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20266—1—25—Too new
2024184,0002525—Too new
2022349,7005—2669 · MoreRising
20211580,5003525—Rising
2020661,937352289 · MoreFalling
2019106,5504522—Not enough data
20182619,0001—230 · FewerStable
2017819,6043—23—Not enough data
20162925,0003—2314 · FewerStable
20152451,0002—23—Stable

All Audi Q3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Audi Q3 have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2016 Audi Q3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Audi Q3 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by engine with 7.

Has the 2016 Audi Q3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Audi Q3 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Audi Q3 (Q3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Audi Q3 reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,000 miles and the middle half falls between 14,500 and 43,300 miles; 85% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.