NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Audi Q3 years to buy are the 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. The 2018 scores highest, at 89 out of 100.
If you want a newer Q3, look at the 2019 to 2024, which rate Good or Excellent. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
For an older Q3, made before 2019, the 2015 to 2018 rate Good or Excellent.
No Q3 year is rated Caution.
No Q3 year is rated Avoid.
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score.
Four Q3 years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2018 leads with 89.
1st generation
Most reported problems
2nd generation
No single problem stands out in its complaints.
1st generation
Most reported problems
2nd generation
Most reported problems
Also rated Good: 2015–2016, 2019–2020, 2022, 2024.
No Q3 year rates Caution or Avoid.
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
Provisional score 82 (likely 79 to 86), in the better third of 2025 models so far. Final score at 36 months.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 77 (Good).
What we know so far →
6 complaints and 1 recall so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
What we know so far →All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Audi programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3rd generation(first year) | Too new | – | – | 6 | 14.3 | 1 | Report |
| 2025 | 2nd generation | Provisional 82 | – | – | 4 | 1.4 | 1 | Report |
| 2024 | 2nd generation | Good | 77 | 0.57× | 18 | 4.8 | 2 | Report |
| 2023 | 2nd generation | Excellent | 86 | 0.27× | 2 | 1.1 | 1 | Report |
| 2022 | 2nd generation | Good | 76 | 0.58× | 34 | 9.4 | 5 | Report |
| 2021 | 2nd generation | Excellent | 83 | 0.33× | 15 | 4.6 | 3 | Report |
| 2020 | 2nd generation | Good | 73 | 1.4× | 66 | 24.5 | 3 | Report |
| 2019 | 2nd generation(first year) | Good | 70 | 1.0× | 10 | 16.9 | 4 | Report |
| 2018 | 1st generation | Excellent | 89 | 0.30× | 26 | 7.5 | 1 | Report |
| 2017 | 1st generation | Excellent | 84 | 0.25× | 8 | 5.5 | 3 | Report |
| 2016 | 1st generation | Good | 78 | 0.51× | 28 | 13.4 | 3 | Report |
| 2015 | 1st generation | Good | 75 | 0.74× | 24 | 22.5 | 2 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Audi made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Audi's own model history.
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Audi made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.