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Luxury SUVs are overtaking the market, and customers couldn’t have been happier to get behind the wheel of a 2018 Audi Q3. The automaker claims that the newest lineup is “engineered to progress at your pace,” but research suggests otherwise. In fact, the faulty exterior lighting, defective electrical system and poorly-built structure all pose safety risks to occupants.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 Audi Q3
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Engine | |
| Electrical System | |
| Air Bags | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| Steering | |
| Tires | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Wheels |
Problems with the Exterior Lighting
The various forms of exterior lighting are meant to work together to alert others on the road of the Q3’s presence on the road. When one aspect of this fails, it becomes dangerous to drive the SUV, yet we see many unsuspecting drivers facing this problem. Often, modern vehicles alert occupants when there is a problem with the turn signal, but that seems to be an issue with this Q3 model. Sadly, there aren’t a lot of documented complaints about the situation, because customers don’t know it’s happening. This ignorance leaves people in a lot of risk, especially while making a turn.
To correct the situation, Audi issued a recall of Q3 SUVs. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V385000 states that the indicator for a failed turn signal isn’t working correctly. Without this indicator, others on the road aren’t aware of the upcoming turn, which could lead to an accident. To repair the situation, owners must have the body control module replaced. In the meantime, drivers everywhere are making turns without the proper signaling equipment, thereby putting their luxury car and occupants at risk. Maybe this vehicle was “engineered to progress” in a straight line only.
Problems with the Electrical System
As with the lighting situation, there are other electrical system issues plaguing this Audi model. You can find several people discussing the defective backup camera situation.
One NHTSA complaint says, “Backup 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 backup camera was completely disabled multiple times while driving when putting transmission in reverse.”
Audi isn’t afraid to discuss electrical system issues. In fact, the company currently has more than 30 service bulletins related to electrical malfunctions and problems. Service Bulletin #A801809 2050693 even talks about a strange whining noise that comes from the instrument panel. So, what this Q3 offers is a malfunctioning turn signal combined with the lack of backup camera while attempting to go backward. On top of that, owners get to listen to an annoying sound coming from the instrument panel at the same time, as a reminder of how this Audi SUV is a lemon. Overall, it’s not what a luxury car owner wants, but also a rolling hazard that should be avoided at all costs. Other drivers that see one coming should stay clear because there’s no way of knowing where this SUV is “engineered to progress” to.
Problems with the Shattering Sunroof
It isn’t cheap to drive a 2018 Audi Q3. Owners spend a good chunk of change to drive this luxury model and expect it to be made from high-quality materials, but that’s not the case. In fact, one NHTSA review states, “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 fall off or blow away. No object had hit the car. It was simply a huge explosion.”
Unfortunately, this is not a random complaint, but something found by numerous owners, yet no recall has been issued. The only thing the company has been willing to acknowledge are some squeaks and rattles coming from the roof area with panoramic sunroofs. This is illustrated in Service Bulletin #A701866 2038029, and shows that the structure wasn’t built correctly. If it was, owners wouldn’t need to deal with unnecessary noises or shattering auto glass. This SUV is engineered for something, but it’s not progress. Instead, it’s safe to say this vehicle belongs in the junkyard.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
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Complaint Data
| Category | Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Date | Feb 27, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Air Bags, Electrical System, Steering |
| Date | Nov 25, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 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 in mileage and the airbag would have not deployed if I was in an accident. This sounds like a safety issue needing a recall for this vehicle |
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Nov 18, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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 contact also had heard a humming noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road into a service station and noticed that the rear driver's side tire only had 20 psi. The contact inflated the tire to 35 psi and continued to his destination. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer who reported that while dismounting the tire, the inner sidewall had a 3-inch gash large enough that the technician could fit his hand through the gash. The tire was replaced. The passenger's side rear tire was inspected and showed a 10-inch gash that had separated from the inner sidewall. The tire was also replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 33,000. The tire failure mileage was unknown. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Oct 16, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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 00 for the first time I took the car in for repairs and I had to take it back cause nothing was fixed |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jun 30, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Center sliding armrest defective. Cover under the armrest that pops in the tubes came off maki g the armrest lose and exposing the metal tubes. Internet search mentions it's a common issue and nothing has been resolved |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | May 26, 2022 |
| State | GA |
| Description | Panoramic sunroof exploded today while driving at highway speeds. Broken glass gave way. Car was not struck by any objects before the glass failed. There were no warnings. Have not yet taken the car to a dealer or service provider. Though it did not happen to me, there's danger from the explosion itself and from the glass entering the cabin. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Mar 07, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Feb 07, 2022 |
| State | MD |
| Description | 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 communication to tcm (transmission control module). I had audi came with a flat bed to pick up the vehicle on january 24, 2022 (vehicle have around 26k miles). Just last friday february 4, 2022 audi dealership in rockville, maryland text my wife said they need to get in contact with the audi in germany. This whole time they did not get us a loaner or a rental to use. It's hard to communicate with the service provider. |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Dec 28, 2021 |
| State | VA |
| Description | 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 told that the airbag would likely not activate in a crash ... They could not guarantee it would also not automatically just deploy. It has now been over 2 months and the service department at audi has told me that they have no idea when that part will be available. Additionally, none of the other buttons on the steering column are active now. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jan 19, 2021 |
| State | FL |
| Description | This particular model of audi q3 has poor quality break pads and rotors, if you live near the ocean like me in miami beach, the breakes get damaged at only 8,000 miles intervals and they can fail causing an accident. I reported the issue to dealer and manufacturer, and they have fully washed their hands. They are aware of the issue, and have not issued a recall. I am in the process of retaining class action counsel to pursue class action litigation. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Dec 29, 2019 |
| State | PR |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Sep 24, 2019 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Wheels |
| Date | Jun 14, 2019 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2018 audi q3. The contact stated that there was a failure with the dimension of the tires pertaining to a caster diagnosis. The color green displayed if the tires were balanced and aligned correctly when installed. The contact stated that the tire inspection caster testing remained in the red within less than 100 miles of owning the vehicle. Three different dealers were contacted: audi north austin (12971 pond springs rd, austin, tx 78729, (844) 473-2985) audi dominion (21105 I-10, san antonio, tx 78257, 1-(888) 478-2089), and audi north park (15670 I-35, selma, tx 78154, (210) 960-6000). The dealers serviced the vehicle, but failed to provide a permanent solution. The vehicle was unable to be driven safely due to several alignments, tire servicing, and tire replacements. Two different independent tire technicians provided further diagnostic testing and determined that the caster was not available from the manufacturer as proprietary information. The approximate failure mileage was 100. *bf *tr |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Nov 03, 2018 |
| State | WA |
| Description | 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 there was no projectile that caused the breakage and are replacing it as being "under warranty". |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Apr 11, 2018 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 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. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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