2016 Audi Q3 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 34%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,324miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Audi Q3, 34% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,324 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Today wednesday, february 8, 2017, at approximately 11:00 hrs. I hit the button to power down the driver side window. The window recessed into the driver side panels, however the window reset itself to the top of the window electronically moving up and down without any prompting on my part. I tested all the other windows that function correctly. However, the driver side window continued to operate independently on its own without any prompting from me. This issue continued for over 2 min. I had to literally, pull over off the road and place the vehicle in park and turn off the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10950322, filed 2017-02, 18,648 miles“The electrical system has failed twice with no warning. The car had to towed to the dealership the first time to have the battery replaced. The second time we could jump it and drive it there and they replaced the battery again. The dealership advised that there is a known electrical short or current leakage affecting q3s. I brought my concern to Audi but they refused to do anything about it. The first time it happened it had been parked overnight in my garage and would not start. The second time it happened after it had been driven during the day. Both incidents were in atlanta, georgia. …”
NHTSA complaint #11041341, filed 2017-10, 18,000 miles“Continue to malfunction while driving. Light,brake, seat light,system light,tire pressure light, steering light, everything is malfunction including the battery lifht,light, ut wouldn't start,had the battery replace and all the lights still on on the vehicle. Afaid to drive it that it could catch on fire with the electrical system malfunction. Would not start sitting had to jump it to get home.”
NHTSA complaint #11349635, filed 2020-08, 40,000 miles“I was driving and smelled fire/smoke from the dashboard. There was the start of a fire and smoke started coming out from behind the mmi screen. The connection for phone got choppy but did not go out completely.”
NHTSA complaint #11270088, filed 2019-10, 77,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V642000Sep 6, 2016Volkswagen 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…Covers: Audi Q3 2015–2017, TT Roadster 2016–2017, A3 Cabriolet 2016 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11035810Jul 9, 2026This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
- 11034643Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
- 11033492May 22, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11032165Apr 30, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11031053Mar 26, 2026This bulletin provides informaiton regarding the Universal Traffic Recorder.
- 11031051Mar 20, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn about various infortainment system complaints.
- 11030985Mar 17, 2026This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
- 11030984Mar 2, 2026This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
- 11029407Feb 17, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11029370Feb 17, 2026This TSB provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 6 | 33% |
| 2022 | 9 | 26% |
| 2021 | 3 | 20% |
| 2020 | 22 | 33% |
| 2019 | 3 | 30% |
| 2018 | 6 | 23% |
| 2016 | 10 | 34% |
| 2015 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Audi Q3
7 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Audi Q3
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology