2020 Audi Q3 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2020 Audi Q3 most often describe the engine shutting down or refusing to accelerate, frequently around a stop or after the auto start-stop restarts the engine, and several reports say the dealer attributed it to a software issue with no fix available at the time. A second recurring theme is water entering the cabin around the overhead console after rain, affecting the interior lights and controls. Most sampled complaints were filed in the first few thousand miles, with the water-intrusion reports tending to appear later.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls or will not accelerate (limp mode)

   • 19 complaints (29%)
   • median 3,185 mi at 1.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out or the car dropping to very low speed while driving or pulling away from a stop, sometimes with warning lights and a drive-system or driveline malfunction message. Several say restarting after a short wait restored normal operation, while others report repeat events. According to the complaints, dealers often pointed to a software update for the engine control unit or the start-stop function and in some cases said no fix was yet available. Mostly reported under about 10,000 miles, often within the first months of ownership and at low speed or from a stop.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any engine or start-stop software updates have been applied and whether the check-engine or drive-system warnings have been logged. A test drive that includes stop-and-go driving and a restart from a stop is worth doing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car leased july 2020, has 1936 miles, check engine light came on 4/14/21, took to dealer , left for repair . Dealer states 'replace fuel pump module ' required . This car also had problem in march 2021 which I reported where car shut off while driving. Dealer said software update was required from recall that I had not gotten notice for .”

   NHTSA complaint #11408429, filed 2021-04, 1,937 miles

   “I purchased my Audi 2020 Q3 in november 2019. Since the purchase, on three separate occasions, the car has failed to accelerate under very specific speed conditions. In each case, the vehicle had slowed either due to a sharp curve while entering a freeway or for a slower vehicle in front of my vehicle while entering the freeway. When time came to accelerate to match the speed of the freeway traffic, adding power was futile. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11404126, filed 2021-03, 9,900 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Water leaking from overhead console after rain

   • 12 complaints (18%)
   • typically at 4.1 yrs old
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe water dripping from the ceiling area around the map lights and sunroof controls, usually after heavy rain, sometimes reaching the center console, USB ports and gear selector. Owners report the interior lights flickering, turning on by themselves or not responding, and some mention water on the passenger-side floor. Several say the dealer checked or cleared the sunroof drains or resealed the glass, and some report the leak returning. Reported across a wide mileage range, typically after heavy rain or a car wash rather than at a specific mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the headliner and overhead console for water stains or discoloration, and check the sunroof drains. Ask whether any leak or drain service has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have experienced twice now that water leaks from the overhead panel and flickering of the overhead lights from the water interfering with the electrical components. It begins to leak from overhead when the car is running and after it has rained. I have read reviews online that this has happened in the Audi Q3 models.”

   NHTSA complaint #11500165, filed 2023-01

   “There is a large flaw on these vehicles. The sunroof framing becomes damaged. This creates an issue of water leaking in the interior. It causes an electrical issue as well as creates a distracted driving environment. I was driving when this happened and I had to start controlling the water leaking from the roof of my vehicle. This is a large safety issue that Audi knows about and even has a technical documentation to repair this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11586253, filed 2024-05
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering wheel locks up during auto start-stop

   • 10 complaints (15%)
   • median 436 mi at 0.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2021

   Owners describe the steering becoming very heavy or feeling locked for a few seconds when the engine restarts from the auto start-stop function, especially when pulling away from a light or making a turn. Some report the wheel not responding at all until the engine restarts. Complaints say dealers acknowledged a known start-stop software issue and, in some cases, that a fix was not yet released. Mostly reported in the first few thousand miles, at low speed when moving off from a stop.

   Recall 26V5900001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the start-stop software update has been applied, and check whether the steering recall 26V590000 has been completed, since it concerns the steering rack mounting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought my Audi Q3 on december 21 and on december 22 I started noticing issues with the steering, specifically related to the auto stop/start function. Now, as detailed below, I did not have a positive experience with my purchase of the vehicle, so when I started to notice the slow belabored turning, I thought that I was making more out of it because I had such a negative experience at the dealership. And, I wish that's what it was. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11300896, filed 2020-01, 150 miles

   “There is a 3-4 second delay in the steering assist after engine restarts from a start/stop event. (auto start/stop feature) I almost got into an accident because I expected the power steering to be active while the car is on. I attempted to make a right hand turn on a traffic light, when I let go of the brake, the engine started and car started moving forward. I was unable to turn my steering wheel so the car went forward and I almost hit the car in the next lane over. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11317773, filed 2020-03, 350 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Lane assist and pre sense intervene unexpectedly

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 2,072 mi at 0.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2023

   Complaints describe the lane-keeping system steering the car toward an old lane marking or a crack in the road, and taking noticeable effort to override. Owners also report the pre sense front system failing to react in some situations or braking for pedestrians who are not close. Dealers reportedly said the systems were operating as designed or could find no fault codes. Reported at low mileage, often on highways and marked roads, with no clear mileage pattern beyond that.

   What to check: Ask the seller to demonstrate the lane-keeping and pre sense settings, and confirm the driver-assistance features can be switched off to your preference.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The presense front is does not work as designed. I have provided Audi with videos showing the presense not working at all under conditions they state it should and also did a test drive with the dealer who stated it was not working as designed but could not do anything since there are no codes. The videos show that I can rapidly approach a vehicle and the system does not engage. No warning or action, when I am with in a 1/2 car length of the vehicle in front of me and the presense system set to early. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11319106, filed 2020-03, 1,500 miles

   “Have had several instances where lane assist has suddenly turned the car into another lane, often following a crack in the road. Have nearly had accident related to this sudden loss of control. Dealership not helpful, declaring that everything is working fine. Purchased this car for my 16 year-old daughter...because of the extra safety features. Very worried about this malfunction.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321422, filed 2020-04, 2,600 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake noise, pulsation and vibration

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report grinding or unusual noise from the rear brakes at low mileage, and pulsation or shudder through the pedal and steering wheel when braking from highway speed. Some say the dealer described the noise as normal, while others report rotor replacement. A few complaints also mention vibration at speed in general. Reported from a few thousand miles up to the higher-mileage used examples, often noticed on highway braking.

   Recall 20V786000

   What to check: Brake firmly from highway speed during a test drive and listen for grinding; ask for service records showing whether rotors or pads were replaced. Also confirm recall 20V786000 on the brake pedal plate was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought my 2020 Audi q# premium plus s line as a cpo from Audi of natick in natick mass 0n 9/26/2020. It had approximately 4500 miles on it when I took delivery of it. The car makes an unusual noise from the rear brakes whenever I use them. This is not normal and usually only happens when brake pads are worn to the point of having little to no braking material left. I mentioned this to the dealer before I took delivery and was told it was normal. Ive been driving for over 45 years and know that this is anything but normal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387372, filed 2021-01, 4,500 miles

   “Not sure if this requires investigation by NHTSA so I am reporting it and will let you decide. 2020 Audi Q-3. Purchased Certified Pre-Owned in April 2023 with 13,000 miles on it. Found that at highway speed when you apply brakes the pedal pulsates and shudders. I now have 17,900 miles on it and the pulsation is getting worse. To my regret we did not take a very long test ride when buying. I have not lost control or had any accident, but I Googled the problem and found that this is a common complaint with many Audi models. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11564901, filed 2024-01

Buying note. The 2020 Q3 draws repeated reports of stalling or loss of power at low speed and of water entering the cabin around the overhead console, so a history of software updates and any leak repairs is worth confirming before purchase. Verify that open recalls, particularly the steering rack and brake pedal campaigns, have been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.