Backover prevention, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Finding a luxury SUV isn’t a big deal these days with such a large selection. The 2022 Audi Q3 tries to put itself ahead of the competition by claiming it “fits your lifestyle.” Yet there are customers that are sounding the alarm that the Q3 isn’t what it is cracked up to be. With major backover prevention issues and other safety problems, this vehicle has turned out to be a big disappointment for some.
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The most common problems that owners of the 2022 Audi Q3 are experiencing relate to backover prevention issues. They all relate to the sophisticated multi-media interface (MMI) infotainment software or high-tech infotainment center unit. Most describe issues owners are experiencing with this system, but there are several that state the recall repairs for damaged infotainment systems are available.
Extraordinarily though, complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) relate to a much more diverse selection of components and systems. These are, in alphabetical order:
There are also 5 recalls for the 2022 Audi Q3. Unsurprisingly, most of these relate to backover prevention. The others concern the gasoline fuel system and visibility.
The first and last recalls issued by Audi for Q3 vehicles relate specifically to the rearview camera and images that may not display. Of course, as is expected, they don’t all relate to the Q3, but to various other Audi models too, all of which are manufactured by the Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
While the first recall in October 2021 was for 2,857 2021 vehicles, the most recent, issued a year later, is for 6,076 2021-2022 vehicles. The first two state that a software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle starts reversing. The problem described in the most recent recall is that the infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off. This results in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. When this happens, the driver’s rear visibility is reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. The remedy is a new infotainment main unit, which dealers are to replace for free.
All three recalls are listed as being a backover prevention, but the latter recall is also listed as an equipment issue.
The other 2 recalls were issued in September 2022.
One, which affects 13,004 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles and no others, is because the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly. The danger here is that a damaged vent pipe may let fuel spill out of the filler neck when someone opens the fuel cap. This increases the risk of injury.
The other, which warns that a rear window may break, only affects 4 vehicles. Nevertheless, it’s the result of a window manufacturing error that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | |
| Electrical System | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Back Over Prevention | |
| Equipment | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | |
| Engine | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Exterior Lighting |
More than half of the complaints to the NHTSA about this issue state that the repair required for the recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 22V806000, is not available. The most recent was nearly 8 months after the recall was issued.
In May, 2023, one complainant stated that he had spoken to the dealership multiple times “about the safety concern of the recall on this vehicle.” Despite the fact that every vehicle must have a backup camera for safety reasons, they are “dismissing” the issue, the complaint states. Instead, they “should be providing a replacement vehicle that does work until they are able to fix this problem.”
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The first complaint from an owner who experienced infotainment system damage states that it resulted in a blacked out screen This meant that none of the safety features, including the “rearview camera, parking assistance, hands-free phone, and all other vehicle settings” were available. There were also multiple warning notifications on the dashboard “indicating a malfunction in the interior lighting, lane change, and parking systems.”
The owner, from Olive Branch in Massachusetts, states that even before the screen went black, the rear camera would malfunction when the vehicle was in reverse. Additionally, ”the sensor would cause the vehicle to abruptly brake even though there was no obstruction behind.”
Even though the original malfunction was the subject of the first two recalls, the Audi dealership was unable to help because the manufacturer didn’t have a remedy. Hugely concerned about the defect, the complaint goes on to say, “I am not comfortable driving. I rely heavily on these features when driving to prevent damage or injury. This is the second recall pertaining to the infotainment system within a year. This is very disconcerting because I am not able to use any of the features within the vehicle and the interior is extremely dark at night.”
Another complaint, from Dedham in Massachusetts, states that “the Audi MMI infotainment software will control itself.” For example, when using a cellphone, “the software will randomly switch to bluetooth, radio, or XM.” But more alarmingly, the GPS stops navigating. “It is an instant distraction that is hard to ignore, especially when navigation is needed.” Also, the garage door “button” sometimes doesn’t work.
In December 2022, this owner was told that there was a “pending recall but no solution.”
While some of the complaints about the electrical system are also about the infotainment system, there is also a complaint from an owner in Georgia about a more general electrical failure. It is also listed as an engine and fuel/propulsion system problem.
“My vehicle was idling and came to a complete stop.” When the driver stopped the engine, “an electrical malfunction message appeared and the car wouldn’t start back up. Various error messages started to appear on the drivers display.” He cites the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), applying the brakes (ABS) stabilization, and an error message that lane assistance has been disabled.
With today’s safety features, there’s really no reason for anyone to worry about the drive ahead unless the technology is going to fail.
That seems to be the case with this NHTSA complaint. “The autopilot feature engaged and took control of the car. I could not wrestle control back even after I turned the car off and back on. I had to fight the car for 32 miles. From Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton, FL. This happened for the first time last night 12/31 at 12:01 am. And it happened again at around 12:20 am.”
The owner states that there were no warning lights but “a lamp turned on after it had engaged. It also started showing the two lines marking the lane where I was traveling. It made it very hard to change lanes as I had to fight the autopilot. I was driving on HWY US 1. If this had happened on I-95 (the other preferred route) I am sure we would have had a crash, possibly with loss of life.”
There are plenty of things that can be done with the amount of money that a 2022 Audi Q3 costs. Those who invest in this SUV never expect to deal with a faulty engine, but that seems to be what some owners are facing.
One NHTSA complaint says, “2022 Audi Q3 engine shuts off completely when stopped at (a) light/stop sign.” This has happened twice, and the car will not move. He states that he has to put the Audi back into Park and re-start engine. It’s “terrifying when cars are veering away from the car to avoid rear ending disabled car.”
There have been problems with the Audi engines for a few years now. It wasn’t that long ago that class action lawsuits were proposed because of the defective start-stop technology built into the vehicles. How long will this continue? At this time, the only “lifestyle” that the Q3 fits is one of someone who appreciates throwing away good money. In fact, consumers might get more return on their investment by sticking cash in the trash can.
Think you have a lemon? If so, why not sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you? The law makes Audi pay legal fees for lemon law cases. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
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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