Most common 2020 Audi Q3 problems
Share of the 66 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi Q3 complaints by model year
Best Q3 years: 2017, 2019. Years to avoid: 2020, 2022, 2024, 2016, 2018. Compare all years →
2020 Audi Q3 recalls (3)
Steering
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
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.
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.
Seats › Critical fasteners
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.
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.
What 2020 Audi Q3 owners say
Electrical system all 22 →
I was driving on a highway at 65 miles per hour, it was a rental car and the car automatically short stopped by itself and i was unable to move it. the dashboard lights looked like they were blinking and then my car was hit from behind
Please investigate the 2020 Audi Q3 and issue a recall - this is a major driver safety issue. I purchased this vehicle new from the Audi Crown Clearwater, FL dealership in late 2019. I am taking it for repair a THIRD time because after it rains, the interior gets flooded with water which pours into the car from the rear-view mirror area which affects driver visibility, lights, electrical components, and more. The water damage is visible and there is so much built-up saturation from the leak that it causes the interior touch lights to stay on. …
Engine & cooling all 21 →
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while driving or idling, the electrical system started malfunctioning. The contact then stated that the rear-view camera screen became distorted. The Audi pre sense system warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump leaked into the main cabin and the drain needed to be unclogged. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the drain needed to be unclogged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty, and no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Had service at 34999 - reported hard shifting between 1st/2nd then revved abnormally high at 32k. Dealer was unable to reproduce during service - appointments are a month out. Car has had propulsion/fuel system not responding at random at various severities and rough idle like the engine was struggling to get fuel. Also reported during last service. On one occasion vehicle shutoff at lower speed at approx 20k.
Steering
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 NHTSA 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 contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.
2020 Audi Q3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Audi Q3 a good car?
Based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Q3 rates avoid: 5.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Q3 at the same age. It is one of the Q3 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi Q3?
The electrical system — 22 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (21) and steering (11).
How many recalls does the 2020 Audi Q3 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2020 Audi Q3, the most recent from September 11, 2026 (steering). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi Q3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2022, 2024, 2016 and 2018. See the full Audi Q3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2020 Audi Q3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 2,000 miles; 97% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.