The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 2 MPH, the vehicle started shaking, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The steering wheel was shaking and became uncontrollable, and the vehicle crashed into a parked BMW. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V590000 (Steering). The driver left a message. The driver of the BMW was gone when the driver returned. There was damages to the parked BMW.
The worst 2020 Audi Q3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical22
- Engine21
- Steering11
- Fuel system10
- Acceleration6
- Transmission6
- Brakes5
- Body4
- Lights4
- Airbags2
- Driver assistance2
- Tires1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Audi Q3
Recalls 3
Steering
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
- Risk
- A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on September 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V590000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q3 vehicles. The brake pedal plate can bend or detach under the pressure applied during sudden stopping.
- Risk
- A bent or detached brake pedal plate decreases the contact area for the driver's foot and increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the weld between the brake pedal and the brake pedal plate and, as necessary, replace the entire brake pedal, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46i7.
Recall number 20V786000 · Recall details
Seats: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2020 Audi Q3 vehicle. The driver's seat frame may have incorrectly been bolted to the seat rail.
- Risk
- The incorrect bolt connection could fail, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolt connection and, as necessary, replace the seat structure, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72L4.
Recall number 20V644000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Audi Q3 916
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Diagnosed and confirmed malfunction of the vehicle’s AEB system that resulted from failure or malfunction...
- This bulletin provides information when there are creaking/squeaking noises from the front end on uneven...
- This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).
- This bulletin provides information regarding the current top concerns being addressed by the Audi Digital...
- This bulletin proides service information when there is a prompt to take over the steering wheel (hands...
- This bulletin provides information when the starter battery is discharged or malfunctioning.
- This bulletin provides information to aid in diagnosing the vehicle locking system.
- This bulletin provides information when the engine is not runing smoothly; all gas engines.
- This bulletin provides information on VIN plates, Safety Certification labels, and ordering procedures.
- This bulletin provides infomraiton when the exterior lights have moisture accumulation.
2020 Audi Q3 crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q3 SUV AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
2020 Audi Q3 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 19 | 27 | 22 |
What 2020 Audi Q3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V590000 (Steering); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
The sunroof leaked during rain causing both known and unknown damage to electrical components in the overhead panel. Lights came on and went off intermittently.
Last week 4/28/26, I purchased four Crossclimate 2 235/50R19 tires from Costco in [XXX] . Order #XXX. My question is two of the tires do not have a DOT number on the side wall. Two tires have DOT [1426] Along with [047X]. The other tires only have [047X]. No week or year of manufacture. Those tires appear to have a white powdery coating on the sidewall. I asked the technician at Costco about the missing DOT date on two of the tires. He didn't seem to know what I was taking about. Is it legal to sell tires without the DOT manufacturer date? Are theses tires safe to drive? Thanks for taking time to answer this question. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased this vehicle new in June 2020. Since January 2022, it has experienced recurring water intrusion into the passenger cabin during heavy rain. Water leaks from the ceiling around the overhead console near the front reading/map lights. During heavy rain, water pools and causes the interior lights to turn on unexpectedly while driving. Generally, the lights cannot be turned off or immediately reactivate, creating a safety hazard at night. Water also drips onto the infotainment screen and center stack controls. To try to protect interior electronics, I have used absorbent materials to cover the center stack while parked and to wipe water while driving, which is distracting and unsafe. The issue has occurred repeatedly over multiple years and is reproducible. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by authorized Audi service centers. Repairs have included cleaning sunroof drain tubes, replacing sunroof seals and adhesive pads, installing updated components, and water leak testing. Technicians confirmed water in the sunroof stowage tray and drains, and light malfunctions were attributed to water entering the cabin from the sunroof. Despite these repairs, the water intrusion continues to recur annually. During the most recent inspection, standing water was found in the rear sunroof drains, and sunroof removal and reinstallation was recommended but not covered. Service personnel confirmed the vehicle was properly maintained and not misused. The vehicle has approximately 17,000 miles. Primary symptoms are water dripping from the headliner and unintended activation of interior lighting while driving. Affected components include the sunroof assembly, drains, overhead console, and interior electrical systems. Other owners have reported similar issues, and multiple the federal safety agency Technical Service Bulletins acknowledge water entry from sunroof drains and seals. When I contacted Audi of America, I was informed that multiple complaints had been received, even that week.
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 Pump malfunctioned again, and now this time both of them were not working properly. Both the High Pressure and Low Pressure Fuel pump was replaced again in January 2026. Having to replace a major component like the fuel pump twice on a 2020 luxury vehicle is unreasonable and deeply concerning. A fuel pump failure is not a minor inconvenience, it affects the reliability, safety and drivability of the vehicle.
Rear hatch randomly operable / inoperable. "Reset" computer without success. Dangerous situation as anything inside hatch is not not accessible. Was told by Audi that the entire rear hatch latch system needs replacement and this is "a common issue"...
I purchased a 2020 Audi Q3 S-Line (VIN: [XXX] ) on [XXX], with 27,564 miles on it. I bought the vehicle from a dealership that specializes in high-end aftermarket cars, and they provided a maintenance report stating the vehicle had passed all inspections at the time of sale. The vehicle had been imported from Canada to the U.S., and the Carfax report reflected consistent maintenance at authorized Audi dealerships in Canada, including a full inspection and alternator/electrical system check roughly a year before my purchase — with no problems reported. In early July 2025, I began experiencing issues with the MMI system: •A loud, persistent humming sound when using Bluetooth or the radio •Audio glitches and failed system reboots •No dashboard warnings or battery alerts After researching, I suspected a low-voltage or charging issue. I took the car to an auto parts store for diagnostics, and at 28,932 miles, they found the battery was severely depleted and the alternator had failed completely — it was no longer charging the system. This means the alternator failed only 1,368 miles after purchase, which is highly abnormal for a well-maintained, low-mileage luxury vehicle. Alternators typically last 80,000 to 150,000 miles. Audi has acknowledged similar issues in Q5 and A4 models, but nothing yet on the Q3. While I know the vehicle is out of warranty and was not purchased from an Audi dealership, I am requesting: 1.That this issue be formally documented and investigated for possible recall or defect pattern. 2.That Audi consider a goodwill repair, based on mileage, maintenance history, and how soon the failure occurred after passing inspection. 3.That this be flagged specifically for Q3s imported from Canada, as mine was. This failure could have left me stranded with no warning. I’m reporting it not only for my own case, but to potentially help others who may be silently experiencing the same issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Water/rain leaking through sunroof/light electrical panel replaced by Audi dealer once before, now it is leaking once again. Bringing it back to Audi to see why this keeps happening after I was told it would not happen after it was replaced.
The sunroof in the Audi Q3 leaks and the water drops from the ceiling INTO the cabin. Water also comes through the passenger side panel and drips onto the floor causing flooding of the floorboards. This is a KNOWN issue and Audi has released a TSB (technical service bulletin) to attempt to fix these, but it’s just a band aid. It keeps coming back over and over. Water intrudes into the center lights and they flicker and short out. Water drips from these lights into the center gearshift area and it is an extreme safety hazard. PLEASE force Audi to fix this and make it right with their customers. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL
Compare the 2020 Audi Q3
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Questions about the 2020 Audi Q3
Is the 2020 Audi Q3 reliable?
Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2020 Audi Q3, 2.6 times a typical Q3 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2020 Audi Q3 year score?
The 2020 Audi Q3 scores 39 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi Q3: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi Q3?
Electrical system, with 22 complaints, typically around 1,700 miles. Next is engine (21).
How many recalls does the 2020 Audi Q3 have?
3 recalls, covering steering, service brakes, hydraulic and seats.
Is the 2020 Audi Q3 safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2020 Audi Q3 scored 5 out of 5 stars overall.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Audi Q3 get?
Official estimates for the 2020 Audi Q3 range from 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, AWD) gets 19 city and 27 highway.
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