- The problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
- The risk
- A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Vehicle safety record
2021 Audi Q3 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2021 Audi Q3 with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system (5) and the electrical system (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes and 2 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in September 2026 for the steering. For comparison, the 2020 has 0 and the 2022 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Q3 year, for its age
#147 most complained-about 2021 vehicle
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2021 Audi Q3 problems
Share of all 15 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2021 Audi Q3 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- The fix
- 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).
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
15 complaints about the 2021 Audi Q3
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The " Steering Failure " message was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact's two minor children were seated in the rear seat of the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with steering wheel sensor failure and...
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steering wheel wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the steering sensors and steering wheel wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q3. The contact stated while attempting to refuel the vehicle, fuel spilled out of the filler neck and fell onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V673000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered because the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
I am reporting a recurring fuel system defect affecting my Audi Q3, consistent with Safety Recall 20YF - Suction Jet Pump. The problem began as difficulty refueling and now mirrors an identical issue I experienced with a previous Audi A3, which ultimately leaked fuel severely both while driving and when parked. That incident put me and my passengers in danger and caused breathing difficulties from fumes. The Q3 now shows the same early signs - gas pump shutoff, failed refueling attempts, and multiple $200 credit...
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card holds at stations without fuel entering the tank. Audi replaced the tank in 2024, but the issue returned. This is not an ordinary maintenance issue - it is a serious safety hazard. Audi's solution has been to keep replacing the part, while denying a vehicle replacement or compensation. They redirected me to BBB, but I felt it was necessary to report this publicly. If the gas leak recurs, it could lead to fire or poisoning. The fuel system should not fail like this, and I want to ensure no one else faces this danger. If anything happens to me as a result, I will pursue further legal action.
By the dome light, it leaks water when it is pouring rain very heavily. It also drips water by the passenger side shade visor. The dome lights will dim and get brighter consistently as it is dripping. the driver side headlight also gets foggy when it rains, which causes the one side of the vehicle not being able to see out from. The rain in the inside goes near the electrical outlets and sometimes gets into it, if i dont wipe the water away. At night time it is dangerous, with the lights dimming & getting brighter...
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, while also leaking from the top as I have to dry it, try to turn the lights off and drive at the same time. No specific date this has occured, it has happened for approximately 3 months now.
The car stalled while driving. There were no warning lights or indicators before the failure. The car was unable to be restarted so it was towed to a mechanic. It was discovered the car was out of gas however the gauge read there was still a lot of gas in the tank. We then took the car to an Audi service center and they informed us it was one of the gas tank sensors that was faulty. They replaced the first sensor and charged us $1k and that didn't fix the problem so they contacted Audi and were told it was a...
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faulty second sensor inside the gas tank and the only fix is to replace the whole tank. We opted not to replace the tank at this time. After further research I found that the sensor we had replaced is recalled on other Audi models of the same year recall #22V155 I believe more investigation and recall is needed to include the Q series Audis as well as further investigation into the gas tanks internal sensor that requires a replacement of the whole system.
My 2021 Audi Q3 SUV had been very dangerous to drive stalling, stopping on the highway and shuttering for about two weeks. While I was going about 70 miles an hour my vehicle stalled. It lead to me almost being killed and rear ended. My vehicle had been displaying a stop start malfunction code and check engine light. I contacted Audi USA Roadside Assistance. Paloma R. Said they would help and towed me to Audi of Jacksonville on Atlantic. I was told the diagnosis was $300 and it would go towards fixing the vehicle....
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However, my vehicle was not fixed properly with them charging me $300 separate from the repair. My total came to $855, they are a scam. Alex told me over the phone that the $300 would apply to the balance. This is extremely deceptive and I feel they should be investigated. I'm still out of a vehicle with no safe way to get around. As soon as I left the dealership the check engine light was back on. It began to steer, and stop turning. Audi know the diagnosis will not solve the real issue. They also included a part on the repair list that was part of a known recall. The National Highway of Safety has flagged Audi Q3 for coolant leaks and issues. They quoted $657 for a part that would have been covered under a recall. I have a service bulletin. The real issue is listed as a turbo charge replacement which is $3,300. That will not fix my vehicle's issue and they know it. It's extremely predatory, after further investigation and research Audi doesn't have a remedy for the stop start malfunction. Which cause engine failure and a dangerous driving hazard. Audi Of America knows the service will not fix the main problem of the stop/start malfunction. Even after $6,500 worth of repairs its false claims and most importantly a waste of money.
Tire Size p235/50r19 Bought car used with new tires on [[redacted]] is now 08/20 have driven car for roughly 2500miles and tires began losing air irregularly took into tire shop to find both fronts with severe separation damage and wear patterns on both front tires. Rear tires also experienced separation damage as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
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 front passenger seats reclined and broke during the impact of the accident. The passenger sustained head injuries and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. The driver's left arm was injured.
Two weeks ago my 2021 Audi Q3 displayed a child lock malfunction error. The rear passengers cannot open the door from the inside even after turning off the child lock feature because of this fault. I dropped my vehicle at the Audi dealership in Ontario, California. They called me a few hours later and said that they fixed the malfunction by doing a software update. The next day the fault alert came back. My parents are over 80 years old and I'm concerned that if I get in to an accident my family members will get stuck in the back
******* Delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because the consumer placed the request.*Djr ******* delete voq *******
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.
While merging onto the highway, there was a loud bang and the overhead lights as well as driver door alert on the dashboard came on. Upon checking, the front driver door had popped open on it's own. This was inspected by dealer and no issues were found however told that there is a two-step locking process which, in rare circumstances, may not fully engage.
Vehicle auto start stop error code pops up on vehicle dashboard. Says "Auto start stop error please contact service" also happens when car is shifted in neutral. Vehicle starting malfunction. Car would try to start but stops and shows error in the dashboard. Then press start button for vehicle to start but with a "Vehicle starting malfunction" Please contact service.
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 the woods about 30 feet. All the while the steering and brakes completely failed and would not work and the car was beeping. The only thing that stopped me was hitting a boulder. I kept trying to brake. My foot was pressed...
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all the way down to the floor and it would not stop. It was terrifying. There was a witness who told me I must have had angels watching over me as I was not injured nor was anyone else. If anyone was driving in the opposite direction I could have hit them head on. If I was on a two lane or more road or on a bridge or a highway, it could have been tragic. Clearly there is a mechanical or electrical defect. The car was completely out of my control. Audi of America obtained the data recorder and investigated. They have not found any defects and deny responsibility. This is impossible. The brakes and steering did not work and the car was swerving for no reason. Even the witness attested to this.
Audi Q3: every year compared
All Q3 years2021 Audi Q3 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi Q3 | 15 | 3 | F | |
| 2021 Audi Q5 | 75 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback | 41 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2021 Audi E-Tron | 36 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2021 Audi Q5 E | 29 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2021 Audi A6 Allroad | 27 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2021 Audi A6 | 18 | 11 | D | Compare |
| 2021 Audi A4 | 11 | 4 | A | Compare |
| 2021 Audi A5 Cabriolet | 8 | 3 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2021 Audi Q3
Does the 2021 Audi Q3 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 Audi Q3: steering (September 2026); storage (September 2022); retractor (August 2021). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi Q3?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the fuel system (5), electrical system (3), engine & cooling (3).
How many complaints has the 2021 Audi Q3 had?
15 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 9, 2021 and the latest on August 17, 2026. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2021 Audi Q3 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 15 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Audi Q3 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi Q3 years have the most complaints?
2016 (29), 2015 (25), 2024 (18). See every Audi Q3 year compared.
What should I do if my 2021 Audi Q3 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data