2021 Audi Q3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 15 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 13.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 1; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11428430 · 2021-08-09 (August 9, 2021)
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 all the way down to the floor…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430884 · 2021-08-28 (August 28, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11451695 · 2022-02-12 (February 12, 2022)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11451695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11489494 · 2022-10-16 (October 16, 2022)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501261 · 2023-01-11 (January 11, 2023)
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST.*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506816 · 2023-02-12 (February 12, 2023)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534285 · 2023-07-25 (July 25, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534955 · 2023-07-28 (July 28, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534955 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V606000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor | Seat Belts
Reported: 2021-08-05 (August 5, 2021)
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).
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V673000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2022-09-08 (September 8, 2022)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗