Every 2016 Audi Q3 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 19V385000
May 23, 2019Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
Full recall details for 19V385000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 17V400000
Jun 26, 2017Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 45G6.
Full recall details for 17V400000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 16V642000
Jun 9, 2016Electrical System:Software
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Full recall details for 16V642000 →
2016 Audi Q3 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi Q3, reporting 1 crashes, 1 fires. Audi has issued at least 670 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System10
- Engine7
- Air Bags3
- Fuel/Propulsion System3
- Unknown Or Other3
- Exterior Lighting2
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (207)
- Electrical System (156)
- Unknown Or Other (67)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (43)
- Structure (36)
- Service Brakes (32)
Read Audi Q3 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi Q3. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“I WAS DRIVING AND SMELLED FIRE/SMOKE FROM THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS THE START OF A FIRE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM BEHIND THE MMI SCREEN. THE CONNECTION FOR PHONE GOT CHOPPY BUT DID NOT GO OUT COMPLETELY.”
2016 AUDI Q3Oct 21, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11270088
Crash
“BACKUP CAMERA AND ALARM SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE RESULTING IN BACK-UP COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR, NO PERSONAL INJURIES. OWNER WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT DELAYS IN CAMERA/ALARM ACTIVATION AT DEALER ORIENTATION. OWNERS MANUAL PROVIDES NO SUCH WARNINGS.”
2016 AUDI Q3Dec 31, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10938916
“The engine oil consumption rate is alarming going thru quarts or entire oil change in a week or two of driving depending how much it was driven. Audi has admitted the pistons are at fault along with piston rings.”
2016 AUDI Q3Jun 23, 2026 · KY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11745833
“To Whom It May Concern: I am writing this communication to you per an attorney referral. I have an Audi that was included in the Turbo Class Action Lawsuit. See [XXX] My VIN was included in the lawsuit. The lawsuit was won on December 4th 2025.”
2016 AUDI Q3Feb 18, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11718686
“The vehicle emits a smell of fuel into the cabin of the car, and if the windows are up, this makes the driver sleepy and could cause a crash. It does not read fuel levels properly. The car has been taken to Butler, who said they could not find a problem.”
2016 AUDI Q3Dec 8, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11703719
Check your Q3 by VIN
Not every 2016 Audi Q3 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Audi dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →