VehicleVerdict

2021 Audi Q3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2021 Audi Q3 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

22

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Q3 years?

Q3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted111 complaints2008: 2 complaints2015: 36 complaints2016: 38 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 30 complaints2019: 15 complaints2020: 111 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 50 complaints2023: 4 complaints2024: 25 complaints2025: 6 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Q3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Audi Q3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System523%
Electrical System314%
Engine314%
Driver Assistance29%
Other29%
Seat Belts29%
Tires & Wheels15%
Seats15%
Speed Control15%
Lighting15%
Body & Structure15%

Does the 2021 Audi Q3 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V673000Fuel SystemSeptember 8, 2022 · 13,004 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly.

Consequence

A damaged vent pipe may allow fuel to spill out of the filler neck when the fuel cap is opened, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the internal vent pipe for damage and replace the charcoal canister and the fuel tank, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DS.

21V606000Seat BeltsAugust 5, 2021 · 45,496 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Vehicle has a starting error. Dealer fixed p085 with the park neutral module but problems comes back. At stop light vehicle shut down and when brake was released there was a error starting it back up again. Had to put vehicle in park and start it again. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 16, 2022

“Child safety lock failure alert. First incident was January 2023. Second was July 2023. Repeating issue after repair. Puts small children at risk for being able to open door while vehicle is operating which also would distract the driver.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 8, 2023

“Vehicle has a starting error. Dealer fixed p085 with the park neutral module but problems comes back. At stop light vehicle shut down and when brake was released there was a error starting it back up again. Had to put vehicle in park and start it again. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 16, 2022

“ I was driving down a one lane road in my car that is less than a month old, when all of a sudden my car aggressively veered to the right over the shoulder line, then it veered to the left over the yellow line and then the right again and it kept going over the line down a slight embankment into…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 22, 2021 · crash

“I was traveling approximately 50 mph on a highway when we were rear-ended. The car spun around and we were both thrown forward due to the malfunctioning of both the driver and passenger seat belts. Further inspection found the rear seatbelts as well did not function properly. Both the driver and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 21, 2023 · crash

2021 Audi Q3 — common questions

Is the 2021 Audi Q3 reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2021 Q3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2021 Audi Q3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Audi Q3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi Q3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Q3 years to avoid are 2020, 2022, 2016, 2015. The cleanest record among Q3 years belongs to 2008.

How safe is the 2021 Audi Q3?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Audi Q3 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.