Research · Compact Cars

2017 Audi Q3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2017 Audi Q3. Most complaints involve engine (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2019
Owner complaints
8
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported May 23, 2019NHTSA 19V385000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Jun 26, 2017NHTSA 17V400000

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Sep 6, 2016NHTSA 16V642000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2017 – Aug 2026
  1. Engine2
  2. Air bags2
  3. Suspension1
  4. Steering1
  5. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Q3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201524
201629
20178
201826
202115
20220
20254
20266
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

2 reports
“I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2017 Audi Q3 Premium Plus, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption requiring frequent addition of oil. I reported the oil-consumption problem shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Audi Coral Springs recently diagnosed the vehicle and recommended substantial repairs. The dealership identified a crankcase breather/PCV condition causing oil to enter the intake system and also recommended replacement of the timing chain. The total recommended repairs are approximately $10,000. Audi's current diagnostic scan also identified multiple camshaft/timing-related engine fault codes, including P0011 (camshaft timing over-advanced/system performance), P0341 (camshaft position sensor range/performance), and P000A (camshaft position slow response). I am concerned about continuing to operate this vehicle because the engine is consuming oil at an abnormal rate. If the oil level or oil pressure becomes critically low while the vehicle is being driven, I am concerned about engine damage, engine failure or loss of power while driving and the potential for an engine-related fire. Of particular…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026EngineODI 11759155

Air bags

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while her daughter was reversing at an undisclosed speed, the horn inadvertently activated and the contact had to disconnect the clock spring fuse to deactivate the horn. Additionally, the steering wheel made clicking noises while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the clockspring part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2022Air bagsODI 11464579

Suspension

1 report
“Local state inspection/repair shop found both front coil springs broken. Car has approximately 60,000 miles. Cost to repair $1600.00.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026SuspensionODI 11745109
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q3
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$3,450391
Q3 quattro
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202823$3,450387
  • Q3
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Q3 quattro
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Audi Q3 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 11371Vehicle 11370
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Q3 questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Audi Q3 have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Audi Q3 problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), air bags (2), suspension (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Audi Q3 get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Audi Q3 at 23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026