Steering, engine, and powertrain issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Luxury vehicles continue to evolve and change with the times. The 2019 Audi Q3 is one model that was set to impress, with the automaker claiming, “Expectations were meant to be exceeded.” However, it seems that the Q3 suffers from the same defects it has for years, with no resolution in sight. This model has a defective steering system, malfunctioning engine and a faulty powertrain.
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To keep any vehicle on the road, the steering system must be completely functional, but that’s not what is happening in the cockpit of the Q3.
Here is one NHTSA review worth reading. “The engine disengaged while I was inching into a left-hand turn through an intersection. When I attempted to then start my turn, the engine re-engaged, but I was unable to turn the steering wheel, causing me to drive forward (toward oncoming traffic) instead of being able to turn the wheel left to complete my turn. Similar events happened on several occasions.”
There are two major recalls that consumers need to know about with the Q3, one of which involves the steering system. NHTSA Campaign Number 21V027000 states that a production problem caused the belt pulley from allowing the circlip to engage, which could detach and cause the steering system to lock up. Of course, if this happens, occupants can count on the air bags. Except, they can’t in the Q3. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V273000 says that the passenger air bags might not deploy, leaving loved ones in danger during an accident. For a luxury vehicle that is supposed to exceed expectations, the Q3 is leaving a lot to be desired.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Power Train | |
| Steering | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Vehicle Speed Control |
The engine has also been the talk of the town, and not for good reasons.
Here’s one Edmunds complaint. “It has a very noisy engine that sounds horrible on cold startup.”
However, there are much larger concerns than just the noisy engine. In fact, a class action lawsuit is occurring as we speak. It turns out that the start-stop technology is putting people at risk and leading to accidents. While this situation should be a recall and should be fixed, Audi continues to send out Q3s on the road with problems. Nothing says lemon car more than a class action lawsuit against an automaker.
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In conjunction with the engine, the powertrain isn’t operating much better. Customers expect a smooth, enjoyable ride behind the wheel of the Audi Q3, but that’s not what they receive.
Just read one more Edmunds review. “The problem with this car is its transmission and overall poor driving experience. The upshifts are inconsistent and jerky. The down shifts are consistently jerky. Especially at low gears. On the highway, you can feel the upshifts through your whole body.”
Audi has remained relatively quiet about transmission problems but did issue Service Bulletin #A3920332043144_7, which discusses the trouble with the all-wheel-drive coupling. At this point, it’s hard to believe that Audi knows how to manufacture any basic car system since all of theirs do the opposite of exceed expectations.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 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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