2018 Audi Q3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Audi Q3 has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: takata inflators: multiple service attempts to fix speaker bluetooth issues. was not able to resolve. consistently happened. garbled inaudible communication using hands free phone speaker. was in service 6 times for same issue..

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

7 complaints

23%

• TAKATA INFLATORS: MULTIPLE SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO FIX SPEAKER BLUETOOTH ISSUES. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE. CONSISTENTLY HAPPENED. GARBLED INAUDIBLE COMMUNICATION USING HANDS FREE PHONE SPEAKER. WAS IN SERVICE 6 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE.
• I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT DUSK AT 50MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF IN MY Q3 SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES AND RAINED GLASS DOWN ON ME. I WAS UNHARMED AND ABLE TO EXIT, BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS IT WAS A TREMENDOUSLY LOUD AND STARTLING EVENT. AUDI DETERMINED THAT THE
• DRIVING DURING THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK I HEARD THIS EXPLOSION AND A SOUND BEHIND. WHEN I PULLED OFF I NOTICED MY MOONROOF WAS SHATTERED. JUST ABOUT TO FELL OFF OR BLOW AWAY. NO OBJECT HAD HIT THE CAR. IT WAS SIMPLY A HUGE EXPLOSION.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TAKATA INFLATORS: MULTIPLE SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO FIX SPEAKER BLUETOOTH ISSUES. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE. CONSISTENTLY HAPPENED. GARBLED INAUDIBLE COMMUNICATION USING HANDS FREE PHONE SPEAKER. WAS IN SERVICE 6 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

20%

• BACK UP CAMERA WON'T WORK WHEN CAR TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE, NOR WHEN MANUALLY PRESSING PARK ASSIST BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS BEFORE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, TODAY BACK UP CAMERA WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEN PUTTING TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE
• CPO with 20k miles that I bought back on August 25, 2021 from Audi. It is equipped with push/start. Vehicle won't start. I have tried to use both key-fob with fresh brand new battery. Did not work I even checked to see if the battery was good. Still it won't start. I ran my scanner got a U0101 Loss
• The steering wheel started to make a weird noise while turning the airbag light then came on the steering wheel buttons stopped working. Took the car to dealer and the clock spring was defective non working. This is a safety issue I paid 821.57 to fix this issue out of pocket. My car only has 50 k

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BACK UP CAMERA WON'T WORK WHEN CAR TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE, NOR WHEN MANUALLY PRESSING PARK ASSIST BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS BEFORE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, TODAY BACK UP CAMERA WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEN PUTTING TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

6 complaints

20%

• The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was assisted by a Police Officer to move the vehicle out of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed but was not yet repaired
• The vehicle is burning and consuming too much oil too quickly between oil changes. Oil pressure light keeps turning off and on even when there is oil. Vehicle has been serviced and worked on by Audi dealership. Currently vehicle is at Audi for exact same issues after Audi claimed to fix it. Vehicle
• The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated that on numerous occasions, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed th

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was assisted by a Police Officer to move the vehicle out of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed but was not yet repaired”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

13%

• noticed a clicking sound in the steering column that was intermittent; after a week, the airbag light lit up and stayed lit ... per the manual, contacted Audi immediately for service. Was told it was a "clock spring module" and that it would take a few weeks for the part to come in. I was also tol
• The steering wheel started to make a weird noise while turning the airbag light then came on the steering wheel buttons stopped working. Took the car to dealer and the clock spring was defective non working. This is a safety issue I paid 821.57 to fix this issue out of pocket. My car only has 50 k
• The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel hand activated controls ceased functioning. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to control of the vehicle however, the contact was unsure if

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“noticed a clicking sound in the steering column that was intermittent; after a week, the airbag light lit up and stayed lit ... per the manual, contacted Audi immediately for service. Was told it was a "clock spring module" and that it would take a few weeks for the part to come in. I was also tol”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TIRES

2 complaints

• The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3 equipped with Continental tires, Tire Line: ContiproContact, Tire Size: P225/40R/19, DOT Number: AF5WWA46 1717. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the tire pressure monitor indicated that the driver’s side rear tire pressure was low. The co
• The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3 equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Conti ProContact, Tire Size: 255/40/19, DOT Number: (NA). While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact experienced a blowout. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and replaced the tire. The cause of the fail

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3 equipped with Continental tires, Tire Line: ContiproContact, Tire Size: P225/40R/19, DOT Number: AF5WWA46 1717. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the tire pressure monitor indicated that the driver’s side rear tire pressure was low. The co”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 30 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: TAKATA INFLATORS: MULTIPLE SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO FIX SPEAKER BLUETOOTH ISSUES. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE. CONSISTENTLY HAPPENED. GARBLED INAUDIBLE COMMUNICATION USING HANDS FREE PHONE SPEAKER. WAS IN SERVICE 6 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: BACK UP CAMERA WON'T WORK WHEN CAR TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE, NOR WHEN MANUALLY PRESSING PARK ASSIST BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS BEFORE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, TODAY BACK UP CAMERA WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEN PUTTING TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was assisted by a Police Officer to move the vehicle out of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed but was not yet repaired
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: noticed a clicking sound in the steering column that was intermittent; after a week, the airbag light lit up and stayed lit ... per the manual, contacted Audi immediately for service. Was told it was a "clock spring module" and that it would take a few weeks for the part to come in. I was also tol
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)