RoadVitals

2026 Audi Q3

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 1, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Audi Q3, most frequently naming the driver assistance category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 43 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance1100.0%

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

1 campaign 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.gov
26V209000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Apr 1, 2026
6,077 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2026 Q3 vehicles. Incorrect software may allow remote sunroof closing from a distance that prevents the operator from clearly seeing the sunroof. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
The risk: Closing the sunroof without the ability to see it can increase the risk of injury to occupants.
The remedy: Dealers will update the sunroof control module software and the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 57KS. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 7, 2026.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 57KSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Jul 21, 2026

While driving on the highway at approximately 40 mph with no obstacle ahead and no braking input from the driver, the vehicle applied its brakes hard on its own and came to an abrupt stop. There was audible tire noise and a burnt smell. No injury occurred, but the sudden unintended braking created a serious risk of a rear-end collision. The vehicle was driven to Audi Fort Lauderdale for inspection. On arrival at the service garage, a vibration was felt again and reported to the service advisor in person at that time. The dealership ran two road tests and a system scan, reported it could not duplicate the malfunction, and found no stored fault codes. No cause was identified for the unintended braking or for the burnt smell. The vehicle is equipped with automatic emergency braking and driver-assistance systems. The concern is that one of these systems activated without cause and without warning at highway speed. Because the event was intermittent and left no stored fault, it may not be captured by a standard diagnostic scan. This is reported so it is on record and can be compared against similar reports from other owners.

NHTSA ID
11751867
Incident
Jul 17, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 7, 2026

The vehicle repeatedly disengages critical safety features, including Distance Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Assist, Emergency Assist, and Active Front Assist, and displays a malfunction alert. Additionally, the vehicle has abruptly stopped without any identifiable cause while traveling on a straight roadway with no surrounding traffic. The dealer provided me with a brand new 2026 Q3 two weeks ago. The vehicle exhibited the problem described, and the dealer replaced it because they were unable to resolve the issue. However, after I received another new vehicle, the same issue also ap

NHTSA ID
11729713
Incident
Apr 2, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082837_1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when the instrument cluster panoramic view changes after a period when the vehicle has been stationary.

TSB_2082756_1

STEERING

This bulletin provides informaiton when there is a rattling noise while steering shortly before full lock.

TSB_2082553_2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin gives informaiton when noises area heard from around the panoramic display.

TSB_2061464_12

SUSPENSION

This bulletin provides informaiotn regarding squeaking noises when steering or maneuvering.

TSB_2082614_1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when there isa batter warning; DTC U183C00 in DA 0019.

TSB_2082553_1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin gives informaiton when noises area heard from around the panoramic display.

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

Audi Q3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing210—
2025310—
2024172052.4
2023210—
2022325054.5
2021142051.5
2020642046.2
2019103038.4
2018261037.3
2017730—
2016283056.2
2015222053.3
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009000—
2008100—

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.