Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi Q3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗No Indicator For Failed Turn Signal
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Crash Avoidance Parking Brake Use/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Side Marker Lights may not Illuminate/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (28)
28 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 35.7% |
| Engine | 7 | 25% |
| Air bags | 3 | 10.7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 10.7% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 10.7% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Steering | 2 | 7.1% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 3.6% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 3.6% |
| Seats | 1 | 3.6% |
How 2016 compares with other Q3 years
Best and worst Q3 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 23 | 2 |
| 2016 | 28 | 3 |
| 2017 | 8 | 3 |
| 2018 | 26 | 1 |
| 2019 | 10 | 4 |
| 2020 | 65 | 3 |
| 2021 | 15 | 3 |
| 2022 | 33 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 391 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 391 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 387 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Q3 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2016 Audi Q3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Audi Q3 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 19V385000 (lighting), 17V400000 (brake), 16V642000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Audi Q3 problems?
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (10), Engine (7), Air bags (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Audi Q3 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2016 Q3 compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2021 Audi Q3 model years at least five years old, the 2008 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2020 the most (65). The 2016 drew 28. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.