Audi Q3 owners have reported 35 problems related to engine and engine cooling (under the engine and engine cooling category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Audi Q3 based on all problems reported for the Q3.
Vehicle experiences sudden, intermittent loss of motive power, severe engine hesitation, and stalling while operating at highway speeds. Diagnostic scans confirm fault codes p2015 and p0341, indicating a failure of the intake manifold position sensor and camshaft position correlation. These mechanical failures, combined with extreme carbon buildup on the valves, create a hazardous operating condition where the vehicle cannot maintain safe speeds in high-traffic environments. The manufacturer (Audi) has acknowledged the intake manifold failure—which is a known defect under an extended 120,000-mile warranty—but refuses to remediate the consequential engine damage (carbon buildup) caused by the faulty manifold and a previous oil overfill incident at a certified dealership (chapman Audi of tucson). Despite a 12-month documented history of seeking repairs for these safety symptoms, the dealership repeatedly failed to diagnose the manifold defect, instead clearing codes and returning the vehicle to the road. This systemic failure resulted in a hazardous operating condition that now puts the driver at immediate risk of rear-end collisions due to unpredictable engine stalling. By refusing to perform the necessary top-end cleaning required to restore the engine to a safe state, Audi is knowingly allowing an unsafe vehicle to remain in service. This represents a significant risk to public safety and a failure to address a documented powertrain defect that compromises vehicle control.
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all problems of the 2015 Audi Q3
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To whom it may concern: I am writing this communication to you per an attorney referral. I have an Audi that was included in the turbo class action lawsuit. See [xxx] my VIN was included in the lawsuit. The lawsuit was won on December 4th 2025. The class action lawsuit only covers and reimburses consumers who had paid out of pocket (prior to a certain date) expenses incurred fixing the turbo. I have a letter from a master mechanic who is saying my engine problems are due to the turbo being bad however, I have not had the issue fixed. The class action lawsuit does not cover consumers who have not had the turbo fixed or replaced. Please advise on what I should do or refer me to the appropriate person who can guide me through this process. My vehicle is not under warranty and although the class action lawsuit was won, there is no recall issued at this time. See attached. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
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all problems of the 2016 Audi Q3
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While driving my brand new 4-day old 2025 Audi Q3 at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and shut off without warning. At the time of the incident the fuel gauge indicated approximately 1/4 tank remaining and there were no prior warnings. I was forced to pull over in traffic, creating a dangerous situation. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. I was initially told the vehicle had "run out of gas", despite the fuel gauge showing fuel remaining. This same failure occurred a second time under similar conditions, again while driving at highway speeds with fuel indicated on the gauge. The vehicle stalled and shut off unexpectedly, requiring another tow. During the second repair visit, Audi technicians confirmed that the fuel tank's internal level sensor was defective and that the vehicle was inaccurately reporting fuel levels. Audi's technical assistance center instructed the dealer to replace the entire fuel tank assembly on this brand-new vehicle. This defect caused repeated loss of engine power while driving, creating a serious safety risk to myself and other motorists. I no longer feel the vehicle is safe to operate due to the risk of sudden stalling without warning.
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all problems of the 2025 Audi Q3
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In 4/2024 car wouldn’t start. Took to Audi for new battery and was told water pump failed so it was replaced with delays. In 3/2025 noticed no heat and car took a long time to warm up. Took back to dealership replaced thermostat. Still no heat so I was told ok to drive but need to flush heater core to fix heat issue for $3500. Started my car on 8/14/2025 had multiple lights come on dash (lights, brake, tpms, epc, and brake fluid) so I turned off. Took to mechanic for inspection told something strange different codes instructed to take to dealer. On 10/8/2025 took back to Audi for evaluation and first they stated my fuse box panel was slightly melted couldn’t code read. Ordered part, 2 weeks, and would be $2,000 for repairs. On 10/15/2025 they state I have coolant migration from over flow and it would be $35,000 for repairs which exceeds vehicle worth to buy another. Have not experienced any coolant loss since water pump failed and was replaced in 2024.
The seatbelts on the rear passenger seats no longer recoil. The seats were hardly ever used which may be a reason even those it is a 2024 model. So right now the one behind the driver is 70% out and does not go in and the other side it goes in partially but it will never lock when it should be. The auto start stop has a failure the hydraulic hinges in the back stoped working and the trunk slams now. Since it now slambs it caused a failure of a hinge.
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all problems of the 2024 Audi Q3
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I purchased a 2023 Audi Q3 and less than a year of owning the vehicle, I was driving when I lost power to the vehicle’s engine, with absolutely no warning sign. Thankfully, I was able to pull over on the side of 95 and turn the car off, thinking maybe it was just overheating. I sat in the car for about 10-20 seconds before I saw a huge cloud of black smoke coming from the engine, that is when I got out of the car and called 911 immediately. As I was standing on the side of 95, with semi-trucks flying past me, I saw under the hood was pure flames. The 911 operator stressed I needed to walk away from the vehicle ASAP, and to not return for any of my belongings. About 2 minutes later, the entire car was engulfed in flames. Luckily, I was able to get my cell phone, to make the 911 call, but was not able to get any of my other belongings, purse, cards, laptop, ipad, etc. It took about 15-20 minutes for the police and fire department to come. They had to shut down 95 to control the fire, which took over an hour in total. The fire department came up to me 2 separate times asking if this was an electric vehicle because they were unable to contain the fire. I asked the sheriff what could have possibly caused this to happen, and that is when he stated it was most likely a manufacture defect since I had the car for less than a year and it had less than 50,000 miles on it. The police officer also stated that if I didn’t get out when I did, it was only a matter of seconds until I would have lost control of the vehicle entirely and burnt with it. I know this is a freak occurrence but to say I am traumatized and afraid to get behind the wheel, is an understatement. Especially knowing my guardian angels are the only reason why I am here and able to send this message.
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all problems of the 2023 Audi Q3
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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. However, my vehicle was not fixed properly with them charging me $300 separate from the repair. My total came to $855, they are a scam. Alex told me over the phone that the $300 would apply to the balance. This is extremely deceptive and I feel they should be investigated. I’m still out of a vehicle with no safe way to get around. As soon as I left the dealership the check engine light was back on. It began to steer, and stop turning. Audi know the diagnosis will not solve the real issue. They also included a part on the repair list that was part of a known recall. The national highway of safety has flagged Audi Q3 for coolant leaks and issues. They quoted $657 for a part that would have been covered under a recall. I have a service bulletin. The real issue is listed as a turbo charge replacement which is $3,300. That will not fix my vehicle’s issue and they know it. It’s extremely predatory, after further investigation and research Audi doesn’t have a remedy for the stop start malfunction. Which cause engine failure and a dangerous driving hazard. Audi of America knows the service will not fix the main problem of the stop/start malfunction. Even after $6,500 worth of repairs its false claims and most importantly a waste of money.
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all problems of the 2021 Audi Q3
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Pistons and/or piston rings cause excessive oil consumption, which can lead to the engine catching on fire. This triggers certain sensors in the car "epc" "check engine" and "turn vehicle off now due to low oil pressure" these sensors turn off and on, which is highly risky. I was quoted 10k in repairs. There was a class action settlement about this specific issue, but my vehicle was not included in the settlement Audi Q3 quattro prestige VIN: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
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all problems of the 2017 Audi Q3
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I was driving through franconia notch on [xxx] when my engine suddenly started to slow down my speed I was on a part of highway that had no pull off and was one lane divided highway. I was no longer able to able to maintain a speed over 40 mph and no where to pull off put me in a dangerous situation. I did eventually make it out of the notch but not after a few miles. I took it to an Audi verified dealer and was told (I have a video) that this was due to a spontaneous consumption of oil event which is a known problem and needs a new engine. I contacted Audi and they said my car year was not included in the class action lawsuit and would not cover my engine and should become included I would be notified by mail. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a carbon build-up in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure the failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
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all problems of the 2018 Audi Q3
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Had pistons and rings replaced by Audi dealership. After repairs were completed my car was burning through excessive amounts of oil. The engine seized while I was driving on highway. A replacement engine was installed after that by Audi. Now have clusters lights on dash after picking up car from the dealership. My car was not listed in class action lawsuit. I want to know why? when all of the repairs were what was in the lawsuit.
If driving and the vehicle is put in park then put back into gear without turning off first, the vehicle will stall. Usually happens to me in parking lots but happened while I was parked on a hill. The vehicle stalled after being put in drive and started rolling down the hill - the power steering and abs did not work. I had to apply the emergency break to get it to stop. This is a major safety concern. I've only had the car for a week and it has been happening the entire time. It is going in for service immediately.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil light remained illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who confirmed that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The mechanic performed an oil change however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the controls on the steering wheel were inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag was inoperable due to the electrical shortage in the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,600.
The Audi dealership in tysons corner va is denying to repair a known flaw that has resulted in failed emissions. This is a constant struggle with the vw brand, kindly help how to resolve. The following are attached a) the emissions failure report from deq with the cel code p2015 b) technical service bulletin that details that repair and how it should be covered c) the extended warranty d) epa guidance on their website of coverage for this issue (pic attached) these dealerships are making a lot of money while not fixing emissions problems that they are causing global warming.
My vehicle was idling and came to a complete stop and stopped the engine and then an electrical malfunction message appeared and the car wouldn’t start back up. Various error messages started to appear on the drivers display (tpms, abs stabilization, lane assistance disabled).
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all problems of the 2022 Audi Q3
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My car stalled. I could not moved the car. Mobile mechanic came saw the alternator belt was broke. He repaired the belt and alternator. When he started the car, smoke and loud squeal came from engine. He immediately shut it off. The car has less than 60k miles. I have not driven the car as much due to travel.
My daughter was driving with her brother and a friend and stopped at an intersection on red signal. The car stopped and would not start. Definitely the safety of the passengers and the people behind were put at risk because of stalled car due to engine failure at a busy intersection. It is a 2018 model and followed the Audi's recommended maintenance schedule. Check engine light was on few days before and diagnosed to be a failure of a sensor by an independent service center and was waiting to get the part. After the incident the car was towed to the dealership and they have diagnosed to be low engine compression and needs engine replacement.
1. The car completely stopped on the mass pike in newton (major highway)—could not get it past 65, then it started DE-accelerating and came to a 100% stop. After turning off and on, I was able to get it off the pike and drive under 30mph (with several stalls) to cambridge on back roads. 2. 12/22 the auto stop engaged when I wasn't at a complete stop. I had to manually start the vehicle by putting it in park and starting again. Once it did, there was a lot of lag. 3. In rolling traffic under 10 mph, the accelerator does not engage for a few seconds when lightly touched in order to inch forward. Once it does, the car lurches forward.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that the front driver’s side air bag was replaced under recall in November 2022. The contact stated that one month after the recall repair was completed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
After multiple attempts to have my 2019 Audi Q3 repaired the vehicle is still sitting at Audi of columbia with the following issues (leaking water, drainage system is compromised, mold in the roof lining, sunroof is leaking).
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all problems of the 2019 Audi Q3
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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 that the gas cylinder, fuel needed to be flushed and two unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel needed to be flushed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,352.
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.
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 had to be taken back to the dealer for repairs within 30 minutes after picking up the vehicle from dealership for the same light. Paid $2300 for the first time I took the car in for repairs and I had to take it back cause nothing was fixed.
Had service at 34999 - reported hard shifting between 1st/2nd then revved abnormally high at 32k. Dealer was unable to reproduce during service - appointments are a month out. Car has had propulsion/fuel system not responding at random at various severities and rough idle like the engine was struggling to get fuel. Also reported during last service. On one occasion vehicle shutoff at lower speed at approx 20k.
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all problems of the 2020 Audi Q3
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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 manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,600.
2022 Audi q 3 engine shuts off completely when stopped at light/stop sign. Has happened twice. Car will not move. Must be put back into park and re start engine. Terrifying when cars are veering away from the car to avoid rear ending disabled car.
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph and while making a right turn, the vehicle stopped independently. The vehicle was placed in park however, was jerking. The braking system message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact called Audi rochester hills (45441 dequindre rd, rochester hills, mi 48307, (248) 997-7400) and was informed that a software update was available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Car completely shut down, driving 30 miles an hour, had no power or steering . Dealer 'never heard of it' but had a recall software update I had not been told about for the 'engine control unit''software ea888 bosch and continental. And 'internal control module performance caused lost power to vehicle ' also clock sets to midnight and they don't have a fix for it.
On January 16, 2020, I was driving on a local street and started slowing down for a stop sign. I had forgotten to turn off the auto start/stop switch as is my usual practice, so I deactivated it before stopping. When I hit the switch, I got an error message telling me the cruise control was no longer available, the engine warning light came on, and the motor started shuddering. As I tried to pull away from the stop sign, the car wouldn't accelerate more than 7 mph. Towed to dealer. They are trying to track the fault. I have also had problems with the lane keeping detection system since I bought the car in August, 2020. The system is supposed to come on automatically when the vehicle is started. Half the time it doesn't come on when started; other times, when making multiple stops during a day's driving, it comes on at random times. Some days it never comes on. Other days it comes on each time. Dealer can't find fault. Turning it on manually doesn't guarantee that it'll turn on the next time you start the vehicle.
The start stop feature needs to be deactivated otherwise the wheel locks up once stopped and vehicle does not move forward once foot releases off brake. The vehicle shuttered and rpm dial lit up and engine was revving once start stop was deactivated. Car had to be pulled over and shut off. Started again to move. Clock changed time on its own. Interior reading lights came on spontaneously numerous times. Car we t to service at dealer and was told software update for start stop. Going back in now for engine reaction to start stop deactivation, clock, lights. Still no software update available. Bought car new March 2020. All events happened while driving or with foot on brake. All happened on streets both driving straight and turning.
Timing chain failure.
We were sitting on a freeway off ramp at a stop. When starting to move from a stop, the car shuddered and the console lit up and we were unable to move faster than 5 miles an hour to pull over to the side of the road. It was a miracle we were not rear ended. We had the car towed to the dealer and have been told this is related to the start/stop function and is a software problem that Audi does not yet have a fix for. It is incredibly dangerous and I refuse to drive the car. The car is sitting at the dealer who to date has done nothing. There have been problems with the start/stop function prior to this where when you are trying to move forward from a stop, the steering wheel would lock up and you could not steer for a few minutes until the car would start to move. It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed due to this problem.
My 2015 Q3 is having the same problem timing chain failure lined in the 2019 recall for models from 2008-2014. My 2015 has about 51,000 miles and should not be having this issue according to several mechanics and my Audi representative could not provide me any information other than that my VIN didn't fall in the class action even if I was having the same problem. I believe my model year should at least be reviewed if the problem was common just a year before.
While sitting at a light or stopped, the engine surges/jumps the car forward. You need to leave more space to not hit the car in front of you. This occurs in both cases (emissions mode and non emissions mode).
I purchased my 2020 Q3 on Dec 31 2019. Within 2 weeks my car stopped at the signal light with a malfunction of auto stop/start issue and would not move forward. I had taken to the dealer and they mentioned that this is a known issue with 2020 Q3 and the software to fix the auto stop/start function will not be available untill end of 1st quarter. Now I am seeing the gas consumption high and the vehicle does not drive as before.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling problems | |
| Car Stall problems | |
| Engine Shut Off Without Warning problems | |
| Engine Noise problems | |
| Engine Failure problems | |
| Check Engine Light On problems | |
| Engine Oil/lubrication Sump/tank Drain Plug problems | |
| Coolant Leaking problems | |
| Engine Stall problems |