EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
2016 Audi Q3
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Audi Q3, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 653 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 4 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 5 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 6 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 7 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 8 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 9 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 10 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 11 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 12 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 14 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 15 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 16 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 17 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 18 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 20 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 21 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 22 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 23 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 24 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 25 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 26 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 27 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 28 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical1028.6%
- Engine720.0%
- Airbags38.6%
- Fuel system38.6%
- Exterior lighting25.7%
- Steering25.7%
- Interior & seats12.9%
- Body & structure12.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The engine oil consumption rate is alarming going thru quarts or entire oil change in a week or two of driving depending how much it was driven. Audi has admitted the pistons are at fault along with piston rings. It is unsafe and can cause engine to seize up and lose control which can lead to dangerous situations or accidents. I was never informed with a class action settlement from Audi. I have lived at the same address for 21 years. I never received a letter from Audi of the class action settlement due to oil consumption.
- NHTSA ID
- 11745833
- Incident
- Jan 12, 2024
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)
- NHTSA ID
- 11718686
- Incident
- Dec 1, 2025
The vehicle emits a smell of fuel into the cabin of the car, and if the windows are up, this makes the driver sleepy and could cause a crash. It does not read fuel levels properly. The car has been taken to Butler, who said they could not find a problem. It was then taken to Audi Agusta (Gerald Jones), they replaced a fuel line that had to be correctly tigheted by another servicer Autobahn Automotive in Augusta Ga. That all happened in October and November of 2025. It is December 2025 with the same issue and no correction at this point.
- NHTSA ID
- 11703719
- Incident
- Dec 1, 2025
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11693736
- Incident
- Oct 15, 2025
Owned car for 4 years. Car has a panoramic sunroof in two sections. rear section is glass and does not move. Front section is glass and does actuate. On [XXX]. All was fine. Driving on smooth highway, [XXX (at XXX]. No other vehicles within site behind or in front around me). Sunroof was 100% closed the entire trip. Suddenly my front (moveable segment) of the sunroof literally exploded, raining glass all over me. I maintained control of the vehicle and arrived at work 20 min later. Was able to take photos when the sun came up. No apparent cause. I found no other debris in the car except the glass. No vehicles were around me at the time. Temperature was high 50s that morning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11655074
- Incident
- Apr 10, 2025
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11640285
- Incident
- Jun 28, 2024
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)
- NHTSA ID
- 11619127
- Incident
- Sep 22, 2024
My Audi Q3 was in repair at Audi Spokane WA for an issue with the steering wheel, horn and airbag. I had it inspected at a shop in Moscow ID who diagnosed the damage as the Wheel Clock Spring. Lux Auto Hause advised that I contact Audi Dealership and stated the clock spring is under warranty. I made the next available appt with the dealership because Audi required my vehicle to be inspected at the dealership in Spokane WA before covering a warranty repair. The dealership is approximately 150 miles away and Audi stated in their letter that my Q3 had to meet qualifying factors for the warranty repair which were passenger airbag light that stays on and steering wheel controls not working. Audi covered the warranty repair and returned my Q3 with the steering wheel controls broken and Audi damaged my cruise control. I could hear plastic pieces in my vehicle steering wheel. I requested that they reinspect the supposed repair and waited for another 4 hours at the dealership. Audi did nothing about the damage and insisted it is damage from something else. Audi stated 2 times…we cleared the passenger airbag light which seemed to be their only concern. Audi left me with my vehicle seriously damaged, they did not repair the steering wheel or the hand controls and damaged my ability to drive my Audi with the cruise control. I filed a complaint with Audi in MI and they did not initiate a repair for the damage they caused my Audi Q3. When I attempted to provide the diagnostic from Lux Auto Hause that proved my cruise control did not have an error code prior to being at Audi- they ignored me. Lux Auto Hause is 1 of 2 Authorized European repairers in my area. I have had successful repairs completed there and can’t understand why Audi would be negligent when I can prove the damage didn’t exist prior to the clock spring breaking. My Audi Q3 steering, hand controls and after being at the dealer-my cruise control. Is this something the NHTSA can investigate?
- NHTSA ID
- 11612175
- Incident
- Aug 12, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
ENGINE
This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
ENGINE
This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.