2020 Audi Q3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,937 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 64 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 14 | 21.9% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 20.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 20.3% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 15.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
Electrical System: 22; Engine: 20; Unknown Or Other: 18; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Steering: 9; Power Train: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Service Brakes: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 34 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 34; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (34). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2019: 3; 2020: 20; 2021: 15; 2022: 5; 2023: 6; 2024: 6; 2025: 5; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11277932 · 2019-11-03 (November 3, 2019)
WHEN THE AUTO START-STOP FUNCTION ACTIVATES (TURNING THE ENGINE OFF), THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THE CAR CAN CONTINUE TO ROLL WHEN YOU LET YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO START MOVING AGAIN, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINS LOCKED NOT ALLOWING YOU TO STEER THE CAR WHEN NECESSARY. I ALMOST GOT HIT BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT IS VERY SCARY NOT TO BE ABLE TO STEER OUT OF THE WAY WHEN NECESSARY!!! THIS IS HORRIBLE FUNCTION OF THE CAR WHICH CAN CAUSE A LOT OF ACCIDENTS!!
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11286753 · 2019-12-03 (December 3, 2019)
VEHICLE MISFIRES/ STUTTERS RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY RESTART CAR. THIS CAN BE HAZARDOUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AS THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A FUEL INJECTION ISSUE. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN TWICE WHILE ASCENDING A HILL. I PICKED UP MY NEW CAR ON 10/22/2019, SINCE 11/02/2019, I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE 5 TIMES. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE AND CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 11/25/2019. THE CAR IS NOT STORING ANY FAULTS. VEHICLE ALSO RECOGNIZES ROAD REPAIR SEALANT …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11286753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327179 · 2020-06-03 (June 3, 2020)
I LEASED MY AUDI Q3 2020 ON 04/30/2020. THE MAIN ISSUE HAPPENED RECENTLY WHERE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY BOULEVARD DOING ABOUT 50MPH AND THE ENGINE STALLED LEAVING ONLY THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKING. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON BUT HAD ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOING AT LEAST 60-70MPH. I FELT IN DANGER AND THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A GRAVE ACCIDENT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO AUDI WHO SAYS IT'S IN NEED OF A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THEY DO NOW KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE BUT WOULD BE IN THE 3RD QUARTER OF 2020. THEY WILL CALL M…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11328094 · 2020-06-10 (June 10, 2020)
MY LIFE WAS ALMOST TAKEN AWAY BY MY CARS ENGINE FAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A 4-LANE ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC IS GOING 50 MPH. WHEN IT STALLED, THE ENGINE JUST QUIT LEAVING ONLY ELECTRICAL (LIGHTS & MEDIA) WORKING. I FELT I WAS TRAPPED AS A CAR WAS HEADED RIGHT FOR ME AND I COULD NOT EVEN INCREASE SPEED BECAUSE THE WHOLE CAR JUST SEEM TO NOT MOVE FORWARD. I EVENTUALLY PULLED INTO A MEDIAN, BUT NONETHELESS I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. MUCH LIKE THE PERSON WHO ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11328094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11309844 · 2020-02-18 (February 18, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2 MONTH OLD AUDI Q3 THIS MORNING THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE, DRIVE LINE MALFUNCTION. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND AT ALL AFTER APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY 2 TRUCKS!!! I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT WAS ABLE TO START IT UP. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, THEY JUST CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THEY FOUND AN ERROR CODE P060C00 INDICATING AN INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX AT THIS TIME BUT THEY SAID THAT THERE IS A KNO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,964 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311430 · 2020-02-25 (February 25, 2020)
THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO REASON WHILE BEING DRIVEN. AUDI HAS ADVISED US THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE BUT THE SOFTWARE IS NOT AVAILABLE YET. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD YESTERDAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 5 WEEKS WHEN IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED DUE TO MULTIPLE ELECTRIC MALFUNCTIONS.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,070 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11408429 · 2021-04-16 (April 16, 2021)
CAR LEASED JULY 2020, HAS 1936 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 4/14/21, TOOK TO DEALER , LEFT FOR REPAIR . DEALER STATES 'REPLACE FUEL PUMP MODULE ' REQUIRED . THIS CAR ALSO HAD PROBLEM IN MARCH 2021 WHICH I REPORTED WHERE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAID SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS REQUIRED FROM RECALL THAT I HAD NOT GOTTEN NOTICE FOR .
Owner-reported narrative. 1,937 miles reported. Look up ODI 11408429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11709675 · 2026-01-08 (January 8, 2026)
I purchased my 2020 Audi Q3 in August of 2020. I am submitting this complaint regarding the recurring and unacceptable issue with my Audi. In February of 2023 my vehicle started shaking and stalled while driving. I could not restart for awhile, after a few minutes it restarted. I took it to Audi and they verified that the output of fuel pump did not meet minimum flow. They replaced the pump. Then in November of 2025 my car stalled again, doing the same thing, after a few minutes it would restart but kept intermittently stalling. This Fuel P…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11709675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472997 · 2022-07-08 (July 8, 2022)
Had service at 34999 - reported hard shifting between 1st/2nd then revved abnormally high at 32k. Dealer was unable to reproduce during service - appointments are a month out. Car has had propulsion/fuel system not responding at random at various severities and rough idle like the engine was struggling to get fuel. Also reported during last service. On one occasion vehicle shutoff at lower speed at approx 20k.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472997 at NHTSA ↗