2020 Audi Q3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 9%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Audi Q3, 9% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,000 miles.
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.
“Drive system malfunction- 05dec2020 as I was driving on the city street (35mph) the speed stalled(decelerated) at 12mph, I pressed on the accelerator pedal all the way down in order to increase the speed but will not increase. I pulled to the side and stopped and then turned off the vehicle. I waited for about 5mins then restarted the vehicle. Drive system malfunction alarm cleared afterwards; I was able to accelerate to the speed of 35mph. The vehicle returned to normal operation state.”
NHTSA complaint #11384966, filed 2020-12, 2,000 miles“My life was almost taken away by my cars engine failing in the middle of making a left turn on a 4-lane road where traffic is going 50 MPH. When it stalled, the engine just quit leaving only electrical (lights & media) working. I felt I was trapped as a car was headed right for me and I could not even increase speed because the whole car just seem to not move forward. I eventually pulled into a median, but nonetheless I am scared to drive this car. Much like the person who also reported this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11328094, filed 2020-06, 4,300 miles“I leased my Audi Q3 2020 on 04/30/2020. The main issue happened recently where I was driving on a busy boulevard doing about 50mph and the engine stalled leaving only the electrical components working. I managed to pull the car to the side with my hazard lights on but had oncoming traffic doing at least 60-70mph. I felt in danger and that this could have been a grave accident. I brought the car to Audi who says it's in need of a software update, they do now know when it will be available but would be in the 3rd quarter of 2020. …”
NHTSA complaint #11327179, filed 2020-06, 1,700 miles“Auto stop/start system lags, causing steering wheel to lock up, preventing a turn through an intersection, or into a shopping area! This occurred as I was attempting a turn, from a complete stop, into a strip shopping center, in the baltimore area.”
NHTSA complaint #11315575, filed 2020-03, 523 miles“On four occasions, the engine stopped working and the steering wheel was not able to be turned. This prevented the driver from moving the vehicle forward and steering off to the side of the road. This is an extremely dangerous situation. If the car is turned off and restarted, the problem resolves with this reset. The intervals between these episodes have been several months. There are no specifically common variables, other than a lower speed - start/stop as in waiting to cross a line of traffic or proceeding through a stop sign. …”
NHTSA complaint #11402696, filed 2021-03, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034685Jun 25, 2026This bulletin provides information when there are uncomfortable gear shifts when shifting in higher gears.
- 11033475May 6, 2026The high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are subject to various ageing effects which could lead to the energy content (energy density) being reduced. This reduction in the…
- 11027358Dec 11, 2025This bulletin provides additoinal information to assist in determining the energy content of lithium-ion high-voltage batteries.
- 11021441Jul 30, 2025This bulletin providesi nformation when various DTCs are stored; high maximum temperature recorded for clutch K1.
- 11015767Feb 24, 2025This bulletin provides information when DTC U010100 , Lost Communication with TCM in diagnostic address 23 occurs.
- 11013693Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information when a cracking noise can be heard from the vehicle front or rear end while changing direction.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2020 Audi Q3
22 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Audi Q3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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