2018 Audi Q3 Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 05/18/2026

On 5/18/2026 my wife left home to run an errand in our newly purchased 2018 Audi Q3. About 1-2 miles away from home, she experienced a strange sound coming from the engine bay, the car lost accelerating power, and the car displayed a warning message that the oil pressure was low and to stop operating the car. The power briefly returned, and she was able to safely return home. Thankfully, she hadn't gotten onto the highway, where the power loss could have caused loss of control of the car resulting in a crash that could have harmed her or others, perhaps fatally. After she returned, I used a consumer-level reader to get the code, which indicated there was catastrophic failure to one of the engine's cylinders. We had it towed to a nearby Audi dealership, where the service department confirmed one of the cylinders had failed and the car needed a new engine. The car had given numerous signals prior to this. First, the night we purchased the car, we experienced the exact same warning light and loss of power. We had it towed then to the same Audi dealership, who said it only needed an oil change. During that conversation, the Audi tech told me that the car had a head gasket replacement the prior year (2025), at around 55k mi, and that the previous owner reported other oil-related warnings. I was then told the oil sensors are sensitive, the car was fine, just be mindful of oil levels. In the proceeding weeks after that (and prior to the engine failure), we experienced moments when the same oil pressure warning flickered on-and-off. The failure on 5/18 was less than 45 days after our first indicator experience.

TIRES — Filed 02/23/2020

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3 equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Conti ProContact, Tire Size: 255/40/19, DOT Number: (NA). While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact experienced a blowout. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and replaced the tire. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. However, upon inspection, the contact found a hole the size of a quarter on the tire. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the rear driver’s side tire sustained a blowout. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and changed the tire. However, upon inspection, the contact found a hole the size of a quarter on the tire. Most recently, upon inspection, the contact found a bubble on the passenger’s side front tire. The tire was not replaced. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that all four tires had about 6/16th tread left. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was offered. The vehicle and tire failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

ENGINE — Filed 07/12/2024

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a carbon build-up in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/01/2024

Steering wheel clicking and accessories and functions not working along with airbag (malfunction) light illuminated on 2018 Audi Q3 with 66,000 miles.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/01/2024

The entire air conditioning system had to be replaced at the tune of $2422. The car is only 5 1/2 years old and it was not covered under warranty. I have researched this issue online and there are numerous people complaining about this very same issue. Why haven't a recall been campaigned? air /heat air compressor, condenser and A/C kit had to be replaced.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/01/2022

In 2020, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. extended the warranty on its transfer case for 2011 - 2018 Porsche Cayenne and Macan models. This was in response to what one article described as “[m]any Porsche Cayenne and Macan owners have experienced recurring problems with their 4wd transfer case. We have the issues and the symptoms, such as vibrations under acceleration, highlighted in our common problems section.” Porsche and Audi share vehicle architecture for SUV models. In an April 2017 press release, Porsche touted the fact that Audi and Porsche share architecture with respect to the two brands’ SUVs noting “Audi, VW and Porsche have worked together successfully for many years in the area of SUVs, and with the new development cooperation, Porsche and Audi are positioning themselves for the next decade. In the coming months, joint teams will prepare the specific areas of cooperation and define the roadmap as far as 2025. The focus is on the joint development of shared vehicle architectures, modules and components.” My 2018 Audi experiences a “jerk” during gear shifts feeling like an interruption during acceleration with a slight vibration. This jerky shifting is especially prominent when driving uphill. The issue persists today despite two service professionals trying to diagnose and correct the issue. I cannot speak to the safety risks this issue may present to myself and my passengers other than to say the “jerking” and surprise hard-shift may cause passengers to react in an unsafe manner when traveling at high-speeds. I am submitting this matter as I believe the issue that existed with the Porsche SUVs that motivated Volkswagen, i.e., the Parent Company’s, decision to extend the transfer case warranty, exists with the same model year Audis and may present a safety risk. More Audi’s exist than Porsche models making it more expensive for Volkswagen to correct this for Audi. Correcting this for only high-end models and not lower-end is worth reviewing.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/29/2023

Heard a loud exploding sound while driving down the street. Quickly realized that the sunroof exploded and shattered on it own. No impact and nothing fell on it. Just a random explosion. Called local Audi dealership and they have heard of this issue in Audis, but that there is no active recall.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 07/06/2023

My car stalled. I could not moved the car. Mobile Mechanic came saw the alternator belt was broke. He repaired the Belt and Alternator. When he started the car, smoke and loud squeal came from engine. He immediately shut it off. The car has less than 60k miles. I have not driven the car as much due to travel.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS — Filed 06/13/2023

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel hand activated controls ceased functioning. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to control of the vehicle however, the contact was unsure if the air bags would deploy in the event of a crash. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become constant with the air bag warning light remaining illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/20/2023

My 2018 Audi Q3 had a defective clock spring which caused the buttons on the steering wheel to not work and the airbag to not work. This is apparently a known issue with certain volkswagen manufactured clock springs and there is a recall on the VW cars and not on the Audi.