2023 Audi Q3 problems
The Audi Q3 is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV made by Audi. The Q3 has a transverse-mounted front engine, and entered production in 2011.
First generation (Typ 8U; 2011)
Concept Vehicle: Audi Cross Coupé quattro (2007)
Designed by Julian Hoenig in 2006, it was a concept vehicle with Liquid Silver body colour, 20-inch wheels, fabric folding roof, electrically controlled hood, 4-cylinder 2.0 TDI engine rated at 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) and 400 N⋅m (295.02 lbf⋅ft), diesel particulate filter and Bluetec emission control system, quattro permanent four-wheel drive system with Haldex clutch, Audi S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, MacPherson strut front axle and a four-link rear axle, Audi drive select system with 3 modes (dynamic, sport, efficiency), MMI control panel with touch pad and dual-view technology, sound system with the prominent extending tweeters.
The vehicle was unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, 2007.
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Common 2023 Audi Q3 problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2023 Audi Q3, several common problems have been highlighted:
- Low-Speed Jerkiness: Some owners have experienced low-speed jerkiness in the Q3, which can be unsettling during daily driving. This issue has been noted to impact the overall driving experience, making the car feel less refined than expected.
- Interior Material Quality: Complaints have been raised regarding the interior material quality of the Q3. Owners have expressed disappointment with the presence of more hard plastics than anticipated for a luxury vehicle, along with a lack of premium finishes in the cabin. The use of hard plastics and minimal metal or wood trim has been criticized for not meeting the expected standards for a luxury vehicle.
- Steering Feel: The steering in the Audi Q3 has been a point of contention among owners. While precise at higher speeds, the steering is described as lacking in feedback and feel, particularly at slower speeds. This lack of steering feedback can detract from the overall driving experience, making the Q3 feel less engaging to drive than desired.
- Oil Burning Intensity: Some owners have raised concerns about oil burning intensity in the Q3. To address this issue, it is recommended to change the oil at regular intervals, ideally every 5000 miles or 8000 kilometers, to reduce the likelihood of oil-related problems and ensure the longevity of the vehicle. Proper maintenance, including timely oil changes, is crucial to minimizing oil burning intensity and maintaining the car's performance over time.
These common problems reported by owners of the 2023 Audi Q3 highlight areas where the vehicle may fall short of expectations in terms of driving dynamics, interior quality, and maintenance considerations.
Does Audi Q3 have engine problems?
The Q3 is equipped with the EA888 2.0-liter engine, which has a history of tensioner problems in its timing chain. The loose chain can lead to catastrophic engine failure, causing significant damage and costly repairs.
What are the pros and cons of the Audi Q3 2023?
2023 Audi Q3
- Highs Mini-Q8 looks, contemporary tech features, well-honed road manners.
- Lows Rear-seat riders will feel pinched, noticeable turbo lag, less cargo space than key rivals.
Is the Audi Q3 a reliable car?
Is the 2024 Q3 Reliable? The 2024 Audi Q3 has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What are the changes to the Audi Q3 2023?
Audi Adds More Equipment to 2023 Q3 SUV, Starts at $37,995
Full LED lighting, newly styled 18-inch wheels and a wireless charging pad are now standard on all Q3 models for 2023.
What are the pros and cons of the Audi Q3 2023?
2023 Audi Q3
- Highs Mini-Q8 looks, contemporary tech features, well-honed road manners.
- Lows Rear-seat riders will feel pinched, noticeable turbo lag, less cargo space than key rivals.
Does Audi Q3 have engine problems?
The Q3 is equipped with the EA888 2.0-liter engine, which has a history of tensioner problems in its timing chain. The loose chain can lead to catastrophic engine failure, causing significant damage and costly repairs.
Are Audi Q3 cars reliable?
Is the 2024 Q3 Reliable? The 2024 Audi Q3 has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What are the changes to the Audi Q3 2023?
Audi Adds More Equipment to 2023 Q3 SUV, Starts at $37,995
Full LED lighting, newly styled 18-inch wheels and a wireless charging pad are now standard on all Q3 models for 2023.
2023 Audi Q3 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Audi Q3.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2023 Audi Q3 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2023 Audi Q3.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
- Consequence: A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.
Negative 2023 Audi Q3 car reviews
Positive 2023 Audi Q3 car reviews
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While reviewing my Q3, I realized that I had only been five days into my three-year lease. However, I am extremely happy with the car. It is solid and drives smoothly, making it a comfortable and luxurious ride. The car has a good get-up-and-go with the 45 engine, and although I haven't had the chance to race around in it yet, driving it is definitely fun.
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We were on the hunt for a small SUV that had a sleek design, modern features, and was reasonably priced. Unfortunately, the two Benzes that Edmunds ranked higher among subcompact SUVs didn't meet our criteria for looking good, and the increasingly outdated Lexus NX didn't fit the bill for recent design. After comparing it to the X1 & RDX, we found that the Q3 was easily the best all-around package. However, my biggest complaint is how scarce they are, especially the S-line Premium Plus 45. I checked inventory levels at every Audi dealer in Texas, and only one of them had more than 7 in stock! It's worth noting that many of the Q3s sitting on dealer lots are Q3 40s, not Q3 45s, and for good reason. The 40s (in both Premium & Premium Plus guise) have a significantly less powerful engine: a mere 184 hp and a frankly slow-as-molasses 0-60 time of 8.6 seconds. I didn't even notice it myself until after we test-drove one. The 45s cost $2K more either way, and I *strongly* recommend them! (By the way, all of the S-line models have the larger engine.) I still have my 2016 S3, and the differences in technology between the two are amazing. The Q3 has a touchscreen interface for the latest version of its MMI system, and for the most part it's quite intuitive to use – along with having almost iPhone-level screen quality. (My S3, meanwhile, has a pop-up non-touchscreen with graphics in all of 16 colors.) I was extremely impressed with its adaptive cruise system along with its lane-keeping assistance; while it's not quite at autonomous-vehicle level, using both is extremely handy on long, monotonous drives. However, as some others have pointed out, its lack of certain features is curious, to say the least. If you opt for the Technology Package, Apple CarPlay only works wirelessly.The car lacks memory settings for the seats, which is surprising considering even the 2010 RDX had them. Additionally, it does not have a steering-wheel warmer or cooled seats, which are much needed in Texas. However, the Active Cockpit feature provides a 3-D view of the road ahead via built-in Google Maps, and you can use your phone's native navigation on the center screen. We opted for the 20-inch rims and the parking assistance package, as both of the smaller wheel packages looked dinky. Although we really wanted the Black Optic package, there were none available in the state except in the brashest exterior colors (orange & blue), and we already knew we wanted a gray one. Overall, it's a thoroughly modern car that's surprisingly fun to drive, much more so than the first-gen Q3 we looked at a few years back. It would be great if they introduced an SQ3 model in the US, as we only get the SQ5 & SQ7, but for some reason Audi only sells the SQ3 outside the US.
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We bought an S Line Premium Plus and the vehicle runs great. However, we were a bit disappointed to find out that the memory seat and heated steering wheel are not included in the top trim or even available as an upgrade option.
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I previously owned an A3 sedan followed by an A5 sport back prior to my Q3. To sum it all up, it's an otherwise wonderful premium vehicle. However, the 45 2 litre engine sounds extremely grainy at high RPM and the 8 speed transmission is what really lets this vehicle down. The shifting in higher gears is clunky and rough, and it gets even worse as it lurches through downshifts when braking. Everything else, however, is typical top-notch Audi. The interior is gorgeous and modern, with solid quality finishes and the baby Q8 design. In winter driving, while the Haldex AWD is not real 'Quattro', it performs extremely well in slippery conditions with barely any hesitation in kicking the other wheels into motion for seamless traction. My advice? Spring for the Q5 and enjoy the refinement that a real Audi should be known for.
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I purchased this car as a CPO Audi almost 2 years ago and have driven around 25,000 miles since then. I have no complaints about this car at all. It has been an excellent commuter car, averaging over 30mpg, and has performed strongly in the snowy mountains of CO. It is fast enough for my daily needs (although I wouldn't mind a bit more speed), quiet and comfortable, maneuverable in the city, and spacious enough for trips to Costco and Home Depot. As the car approaches 40k miles, I have not encountered any major issues. The only downsides I have found are common to the class of car: 1) You have to choose between carrying people and carrying cargo (for example, picking up heavy packers from the airport quickly fills up the space). 2) Towing capacity is almost non-existent. When I was looking to buy, I compared this car with all the standard competitors, larger SUVs, pickup trucks, and AWD sedans, but nothing offered such a perfect balance of style, luxury, pricing, performance, and economy. Additionally, the pulse orange paint with black trim receives more compliments and questions than any other car I have ever owned.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2023 Audi Q3 problems:
2023 Audi Q3 Reliability and Engine : r/AudiQ3
May 8, 2023 ... They are both EA888 Gen 3 engines. This engine is known for burning oil and weak water pump. It's pretty reliable besides these two problems. I ...
Do NOT Buy a Q3!!! - Page 2 - AudiWorld Forums
May 3, 2023 ... ... known and prevalent problem that they hope to bury!!! Reply. #2 · mobidutch's Avatar. mobidutch , 05-05-2023 12:50 PM. AudiWorld Member.
RSQ3 - RSQ3 and Q3 - any common issues/faults | Audi-Sport.net
Nov 27, 2020 ... Hi all As per a recent post I am likely to be getting an RSQ3, but was wondering whether there are any common issues/faults with the RSQ3/Q3 ...
A Roadmap to Audi Q3 Common Problems and Solutions | by ...
Feb 16, 2024 ... Common complaints include squeaks, rattles, or a stiff ride quality. These symptoms may be attributed to worn-out suspension components, such as ...
Other years of Audi Q3
Are you having problems with your 2023 Audi Q3?
Curtis Hackett 2025-01-13
I regret purchasing the Q3 due to the loud engine and rough transmission. In comparison, the 2021 X3 is significantly smoother and quieter, making it a much more enjoyable driving experience. While the Q3 may have an attractive exterior, the engine and transmission performance leave much to be desired.
Arnaldo Schuster 2025-01-05
The 10.1 MMI has some software bugs that may cause inconvenience. If you are looking for wireless Android Auto or CarPlay and a wireless charging pad, you may want to consider other options. The brakes may produce some noise, but Audi assures that they are functioning properly. The car may produce some noise when creating, which may not be ideal for some.
Jay Beatty 2024-09-07
The design inside and out is what caught my attention and made me want to take it for a test drive. I really wanted to love this car, but unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with the lack of power. I think my expectations were too high considering the make. Surprisingly, other non-luxury small SUVs drove much better.
Drake Rohan 2024-07-09
I had the pleasure of driving the car as a loaner while my A4 Quattro was in the shop. During my 250-mile journey, I drove through the city, highway and country roads. The car is perfect for SUV enthusiasts, although it may not be the best choice for families due to its smaller size. The interior looks fantastic, with real leather as standard, and the car drives smoothly. However, the gas mileage was a bit of a letdown, with only 27 mpg combined, despite my super conservative driving and lots of highway miles. Even on the highway, it was challenging to achieve 30 mpg. In today's climate change era, the RAV4 Hybrid gets around 40 mpg with similar engine performance, which is much better. Other minor letdowns were the touch screen, which was difficult to operate safely while driving. The old interface pre-touchscreen was much better. The engine also sounds a bit coarse, but these are small gripes. Audi, I believe you can do much better gas mileage wise!
Edwin Feest 2024-06-19
I have purchased 1 Toyota, 2 Audis, 3 Subarus, 2 Mazdas, 2 Nissans, 4 Infinitis, and 2 Jeeps. While I'm not a car snob and purchase for practicality reasons during different phases of life, I didn't realize I had to test everything below for multiple days. Unfortunately, the Audi Q3 gave me some trouble. There are quite a few cons to name: 1. The transmission can be jerky under 20 mph. Dynamic drive mode seems to minimize the issue a bit but it's still apparent. 2. The sunglass/glass compartment won't close due to wires that are in the way of closure. 3. The wipers stutter and feel like they're on backwards. There are lots of reviews about this issue. 4. The memory seat button requires you to hold it down to move it, which is inconvenient compared to Infiniti's press and release button. 5. The back middle console can only hold soda can-sized drinks, which is pretty dismal. 6. When the car is parked idling with the key still in the ignition, the car turns itself off. While off, you can still move the gear and put it in reverse or drive, but as soon as you realize the car isn't actually on and let go of the gas, the car will move as if it was in neutral. Manual re-start is a must, which is pretty dangerous when on a hill if you don't pay attention to the message on the dashboard. This is probably the most dangerous of all things I have recently found on this vehicle. 7. The auto lock still allows passengers to open the door while the car is still in motion, which is dangerous, and allows passengers to unlock after the first attempt via the door handle still. 8. There is no auto-dimming option override, so it prefers the manual way of dimming the mirrors by pulling up or down. This is always on, so it's dark all the time. 9. The roof rack installation was a failure. While driving down the freeway at 70mph, the middle plastic piece came flying off held at the end. I'm not even sure why it's not just one piece. This is dangerous and could get caught in the car wash. 10. LLumar Clear bra is a joke on new vehicles. They don't stay on, and I've had three now on two vehicles with bubbles all around. 11.The garage opener only works when the car is on, unlike the home link on the rearview mirror which allows opening of garage doors even without the car being on. Unfortunately, there is no option to have a sound while arming your vehicle lock, so you wouldn't know if it was locked from afar. It would be nice to hear that it's locked and carry on with your day, instead of having to physically get close or see your lights flicker to know it's locked. Additionally, the liftgate doesn't have a sound or alert when closed, which would be helpful to know it's closed all the way instead of standing to supervise. Other brands have this feature. The car fogs up really easily, which is super annoying. Although Audi has some old school features like the manual steering height adjustments and key fob, the material used on the under dash as well as using partial canvas cover for the seat on the side is not up to the mark. However, the car has the BEST AWD Quattro system, which hugs the road with snow like a beast even when turning uphill incline 20% ish. While the other items above are part of the driving experience, I still recommend the vehicle for those who prioritize AWD Quattro system and need more than 3 garages/inlaws garages, business garages or gates to add to.