2019 Audi Q3 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 10th of 10 Q3 years we score.

Owner complaints: 10
Per 10,000 cars: 16.9; 5,925 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.0×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 8; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2018 Q3 2020 Q3 →

Should You Buy the 2019 Audi Q3?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2019 Audi Q3 is 70 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 10th of the 10 Q3 years we score.

The most reported problem is stalling (4 of 10 complaints). Owners also complain about the steering. 8 of the 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the transmission, sunroof and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 73.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-20-03 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 70
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Stall (cause not stated)4 complaints
Steering: loss of steering control2 complaints
First year of a new generation

How the 2019 Q3 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	1.3×	−20
Everyday problems	0.37×	−4
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	0.86×	−6
Score		70

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2019 Q3. If it were exactly average, its 5,925 cars would draw about 4.9 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 10 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi Q3, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 10.

Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (40%)
Stalling. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Steering: loss of steering control
2 complaints (20%)
Loss of steering control and locking up. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control.

Reported Once (9)

Show the 9 problems reported once

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Brakes: stopped working
Cabin odor or mold: mold in roof lining
High-pressure fuel pump: works on and off
Screen and audio: works on and off
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Start-stop system: stalling
Sunroof drains (water leak): water leaking in

How the 2019 Audi Q3 Compares With Other Years

The other Q3 years of the 2nd generation, 2019 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	14.3	1	Screen and audio: works on and off
2025	Provisional 82	–	–	1.4	1	–
2024	Good	77	0.57×	4.8	2	Brakes: unusual noises
2023	Excellent	86	0.27×	1.1	1	–
2022	Good	76	0.58×	9.4	5	Screen and audio: works on and off
2021	Excellent	83	0.33×	4.6	3	Door latches: not closing or latching
2020	Good	73	1.4×	24.5	3	Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
2019 This year	Good	70	1.0×	16.9	4	Stall (cause not stated)
2018	Excellent	89	0.30×	7.5	1	Airbag warning light

See every Q3 year

2019 Audi Q3 Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2019 Audi Q3. The most recent was issued in September 2026: “Loss of Steering Control from Bolt Failure.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Loss of Steering Control from Bolt Failure
A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 26V590000 Recall report (PDF)Issued Sep 11, 2026.
Tire Pressure Loss Not Detected/FMVSS 138
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V815000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 31, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2024, 82% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Detached Circlip Can Cause Steering To Lockup
The circlip can detach and catch on surrounding components, causing the steering system to lock and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V027000 Recall report (PDF)Issued Jan 27, 2021. By the first quarter of 2021, 100% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Improperly
In the event of a crash, the passenger air bag may not properly deploy and inflate, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 20V273000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 13, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 100% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2019 Audi Q3 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2019 Audi Q3, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the transmission, sunroof and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-20-03
Gear shift micro switch failure
The problem:
The gear shift micro switch can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed gear shift micro switch, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2015 to 2019 A3 and 2019 Q3. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
6 years or 60,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-09
Water leaks through the closed sunroof
The problem:
Water can leak into the cabin from the sunroof even when it is fully closed.
The fix:
An Audi dealer fixes the leak and the water damage it caused. Audi pays 35 to 90 percent of the cost, depending on model year, age and mileage.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2019 to 2021 Q3, Q8 and e-tron in the class action settlement. Not covered: a sunroof not fully closed, broken glass, unchecked clogged drains, non-dealer repairs, and totaled or salvage title cars.
Coverage:
7 years or 80,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first, on a prorated basis.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2019 Q3 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

SUV AWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2019 Q3, from its four recalls, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Loss of Steering Control from Bolt Failure NHTSA 26V590000
Tire Pressure Loss Not Detected/FMVSS 138 NHTSA 22V815000
Detached Circlip Can Cause Steering To Lockup NHTSA 21V027000
Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Improperly NHTSA 20V273000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-20-03: gear shift micro switch failure
AWA-23-09: water leaks through the closed sunroof
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Stalling
Steering
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Q3 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.