Summary
The Audi Q3 has 22 recalls across the 2015–2026 model years, with the most serious being a brake pedal plate on 2020 models that can bend or detach under hard braking, reducing the contact area for the driver's foot and raising the risk of a crash.
The 2026 model year has a software defect that allows the sunroof to be closed remotely from a distance where the operator cannot see it, which can injure anyone in the path of the closing panel. The 2024 model has a camera control unit problem that can prevent the rearview image from appearing when reversing or using the parking assistance function, removing rear visibility when backing up. On 2023 vehicles, the passenger occupant detection system can malfunction and shut off the front passenger airbag even when someone is seated, leaving that occupant without airbag protection in a crash. The 2022 model year has several issues: a damaged fuel tank vent pipe can cause gasoline to spill out of the filler neck when the fuel cap is removed, a manufacturing defect in the rear window can cause it to crack or break and shed glass, and a software problem can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from appearing when reversing. The 2021 model year shares the fuel tank vent pipe issue with 2022 vehicles. A single 2020 vehicle has a driver's seat frame that may have been incorrectly bolted to the seat rail, which can fail in a crash. On 2019 models, the front passenger airbag can fail to deploy through the instrument panel tear seam in a crash, and small plastic pieces can enter the cabin; a separate 2019 vehicle has a steering rack circlip that can detach, catch on surrounding components, and lock the steering.
Going further back, the 2016–2018 model years with LED headlights have a turn signal that, when it fails, does not trigger the fast-flashing warning indicator inside the cabin, so the driver has no way of knowing the signal has stopped working. The 2016–2017 models have a condition where using the parking brake during emergency braking deactivates the brake lights, giving no warning to following traffic that the vehicle is stopping. The 2015–2017 models can have their side marker lights inadvertently disabled through a software update, reducing the vehicle's visibility at night. The 2015 model year has a sunroof that can continue to close after the ignition is turned off rather than stopping, which raises the risk of injury to anyone in its path.
