2021 Audi Q3 Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 22 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Audi Q3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi Q3. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and engine (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 870 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 21 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 254 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Fuel system5 33%
- Electrical system3 20%
- Engine3 20%
- Other or unknown2 13%
- Seat belts2 13%
- Exterior lighting1 6.7%
- Lane departure1 6.7%
- Seats1 6.7%
- Steering1 6.7%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I am reporting a recurring fuel system defect affecting my Audi Q3, consistent with Safety Recall 20YF – Suction Jet Pump. The problem began as difficulty refueling and now mirrors an identical issue I experienced with a previous Audi A3, which ultimately leaked fuel severely both while driving and when parked. That incident put me and my passengers in danger and caused breathing difficulties from fumes. The Q3 now shows the same early signs — gas pump shutoff, failed refueling attempts, and multiple $200 credit card holds at stations without fuel entering the tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #11664032, filed 2025-05Electrical system: “My 2021 Audi Q3 SUV had been very dangerous to drive stalling, stopping on the highway and shuttering for about two weeks. While I was going about 70 miles an hour my vehicle stalled. It lead to me almost being killed and rear ended. My vehicle had been displaying a stop start malfunction code and check engine light. I contacted Audi USA Roadside Assistance. Paloma R. Said they would help and towed me to Audi of Jacksonville on Atlantic. I was told the diagnosis was $300 and it would go towards fixing the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11642776, filed 2025-02Engine: “Vehicle has a starting error. Dealer fixed p085 with the park neutral module but problems comes back. At stop light vehicle shut down and when brake was released there was a error starting it back up again. Had to put vehicle in park and start it again.”
NHTSA complaint #11489494, filed 2022-10Other or unknown: “Vehicle auto start stop error code pops up on vehicle dashboard. Says “Auto start stop error please contact service” also happens when car is shifted in neutral. Vehicle starting malfunction. Car would try to start but stops and shows error in the dashboard. Then press start button for vehicle to start but with a “Vehicle starting malfunction” Please contact service.”
NHTSA complaint #11430884, filed 2021-08Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 67,000 and 94,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Audi Q3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.4% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning not available, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 S-line quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Q3 quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
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
- 26V590000Sep 11, 2026SteeringCovers: Audi Q3 2019–2021, Volkswagen Atlas 2018–2019, Tiguan 2018
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…
- 22V673000Sep 8, 2022Fuel system, gasoline › StorageCovers: Audi Q3 2021–2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly.
- 21V606000Aug 5, 2021Seat belts › Rear/other › RetractorCovers: Audi Q3 2021, S3 2021–2022, Q5 2021 +24 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8…
Recall details for the 2021 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. 870 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038131Sep 30, 2026Electrical system. This TSB prvoides informaiton when there is a distance warning + ACC is not available/Audi pre sense fault; DTC U101400, B203200.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038032Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038039Sep 14, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim.
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Other model years of the Audi Q3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 18 | 4,000 | 2 | 5 | 25 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 34 | 9,700 | 5 | — | 26 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 15 | 80,500 | 3 | 5 | 25 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 66 | 1,937 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 89 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 10 | 6,550 | 4 | 5 | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 26 | 19,000 | 1 | — | 23 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2017 | 8 | 19,604 | 3 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 29 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 23 | 14 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2015 | 24 | 51,000 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
All Audi Q3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Audi Q3 have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi Q3 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Audi Q3 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 2021 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.
How did the 2021 Audi Q3 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Audi Q3 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi Q3 get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Audi Q3 (Q3 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Audi Q3 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,500 miles and the middle half falls between 67,000 and 94,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.