Is the 2016 Audi Q3 reliable?

The 2016 Audi Q3 has 37 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Audi Q3?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (10 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (6 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Audi Q3?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Audi Q3?

The 2016 Audi Q3 gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Audi Q3?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Audi Q3 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Audi Q3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Audi Q3 has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 30. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: backup camera and alarm system failed to activate resulting in back-up collision with another car, no personal injuries. owner was not warned about delays in camera/alarm activation at dealer orientation. owners manual provides no such warnings. p 87 of manual, last item under "infotainment sys. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

27%

• BACKUP CAMERA AND ALARM SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE RESULTING IN BACK-UP COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR, NO PERSONAL INJURIES. OWNER WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT DELAYS IN CAMERA/ALARM ACTIVATION AT DEALER ORIENTATION. OWNERS MANUAL PROVIDES NO SUCH WARNINGS. P 87 OF MANUAL, LAST ITEM UNDER "INFOTAINMENT SYS
• 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
• 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 CURREN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“BACKUP CAMERA AND ALARM SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE RESULTING IN BACK-UP COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR, NO PERSONAL INJURIES. OWNER WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT DELAYS IN CAMERA/ALARM ACTIVATION AT DEALER ORIENTATION. OWNERS MANUAL PROVIDES NO SUCH WARNINGS. P 87 OF MANUAL, LAST ITEM UNDER "INFOTAINMENT SYS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Audi Q3

Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 29K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL23/05/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Audi Q3

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Audi Q3

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi Q3 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2016 Q3, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: BACKUP CAMERA AND ALARM SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE RESULTING IN BACK-UP COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR, NO PERSONAL INJURIES. OWNER WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT DELAYS IN CAMERA/ALARM ACTIVATION AT DEALER ORIENTATION. OWNERS MANUAL PROVIDES NO SUCH WARNINGS. P 87 OF MANUAL, LAST ITEM UNDER "INFOTAINMENT SYS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI Q3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY AND WOULD CONSTANTLY DECELERATE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES OFTEN. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI DOMINION (21105 I-
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (8/26/16, 9/23/16, 9/26/16, 10/2/16, 10/27/16) THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AS IT IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEYS. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SAYS "NO KEY IDENTIFIED." AFTER MORE THAN ONE TRY TO START THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LOCKS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO AUDI ON 3 OCCASIONS TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI Q3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY AND WOULD CONSTANTLY DECELERATE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES OFTEN. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI DOMINION (21105 I-
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)