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2017 Audi Q3 problems, recalls and owner complaints

What the 2017 Audi Q3 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.

  • 3safety recalls
  • 8owner complaints
  • 0crash reports
  • 0fire reports
  • 13%fail the UK MOT

8 complaints, against an average of 23 for the other 10 Audi Q3 model years.

Every Audi Q3 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.

What goes wrong with the 2017 Audi Q3?

The components named most often in the 8 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  1. Air Bags2 (25%)
  2. Engine2 (25%)
  3. Steering1 (12.5%)
  4. Suspension1 (12.5%)

What symptoms do 2017 Audi Q3 owners describe?

Found by reading the text of all 8 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.

Has the 2017 Audi Q3 been recalled?

3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.

Exterior Lighting: Turn Signal 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." NHTSA campaign 19V385000 · May 23, 2019 · Risk and fix

Risk: Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.

Exterior Lighting: Brake Lights 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." NHTSA campaign 17V400000 · June 26, 2017 · Risk and fix

Risk: A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 45G6.

Electrical System: Software 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." NHTSA campaign 16V642000 · September 6, 2016 · Risk and fix

Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.

Is the 2017 Audi Q3 recalled in the UK or Europe?

Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.

UK DVSAFailure of the front led turn signal Recall R/2019/260 · Aug 7, 2019 · built Dec 2014 to Jul 2018 · Risk and fix

Risk: A failure of the front LED turn signal may not always be detected in certain circumstances

Fix: A software update of the on-board supply control unit

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAPassenger airbag may not deploy as intended Recall R/2018/044 · Feb 12, 2018 · built Sep 2016 to Nov 2016 · Risk and fix

Risk: A connection between the detonator and generator in the front passenger airbag module may not be correctly welded. Therefore the airbag may not be triggered in the event of a collision.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the front passenger airbag module.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSABrake lights may fail when the electronic parking brake is operated Recall R/2017/218 · Jul 7, 2017 · built Oct 2014 to Sep 2016 · Risk and fix

Risk: Due to a software error the brake lights may not function during an emergency operation of the electronic parking brake. The normal foundation brake lights will still function as intended.

Fix: On affected vehicles update software to correct this.

Check on GOV.UK

EU Safety GateThe function control device of the Body Control Module (BCM) may be incorrectly configured.This may cause a malfunction of the front light-emitting diode (LED) turn signal lights (blinkers) without the required warning indicator (acoustic/optical), increasing the risk of an accident. Alert A12/1252/19 · reported by Germany · Aug 16, 2019 · Measures

Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown

View on EU Safety Gate

EU Safety GateA welded joint in the gas generator of the front passenger airbag may be faulty.This means that, in the event of an accident, the airbag may not deploy properly. Alert A12/0204/18 · reported by Germany · Feb 16, 2018 · Measures

Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown

View on EU Safety Gate

EU Safety GateWhen emergency braking is actuated using the EPB (electro-mechanical parking brake), the braking lights are not activated.Following traffic is not informed of the emergency braking operation and the resulting deceleration of the vehicle which could lead to an accident. Alert A12/1639/17 · reported by Germany · Nov 24, 2017 · Measures

Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown

View on EU Safety Gate

How often does the 2017 Audi Q3 fail its MOT?

12.8% of 16,127 MOT tests in 2023 on Audi Q3s first registered in 2017 were a fail5.5 points better than the average car of the same age
  1. Tyres40%
  2. Suspension26%
  3. Brakes16%
  4. Lights and electrics16%
  5. Visibility (windscreen, wipers, mirrors)12%
  6. Exhaust, emissions and leaks4%

Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2017, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.

What do 2017 Audi Q3 owners report?

7 of the 8 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

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…
EngineNHTSA complaint 11759155 · Aug 24, 2026
Local state inspection/repair shop found both front coil springs broken. Car has approximately 60,000 miles. Cost to repair $1600.00.
SuspensionNHTSA complaint 11745109 · Jun 18, 2026
pistons and/or piston rings cause excessive oil consumption, which can lead to the engine catching on fire. This triggers certain sensors in the car "EPC" "Check engine" and "Turn vehicle off now due to low oil pressure" These sensors turn off and on, which is highly risky. I was quoted 10k in repairs. There was a class action settlement about this specific issue, but my vehicle was not included in the settlement Audi Q3 Quattro Prestige Vin: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
EngineNHTSA complaint 11623793 · Nov 6, 2024
Car is burning oil at a very rapid pace and is causing knocking and seizing of engine. I had my oil changed recently (10K miles I’m supposed to have prior to my next) it was empty after I drove less then 1,000
Unknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 11584325 · Apr 21, 2024
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…
Air BagsNHTSA complaint 11464579 · May 13, 2022
I lost control over all the functions on my steering wheel, including the horn and the drivers air bag. My mechanic told me, that I needed a new "Clockspring". He called Audi to order the part but Audi confirmed that the part is on back order since last May and that they have no idea when it will be available. Over 4000 people are on the waiting list for that part. I contacted Audi several times, asking if I was expected to drive around without a horn and airbag. I was told not to drive the car if it's not save. Ive been driving around for a few month now without a horn and airbag but I do not…
Air BagsNHTSA complaint 11463435 · May 5, 2022
AFTER A SMALL SNOW FALL BUT WIT SOME ICING OVERNIGHT I TURNED ON THE FRONT ANDBACK WARMERS FOR THE WINDOWS. AS I TRAVELLED ABOUT 1/2 A MILE I HEARD A "CREAKING NOISE" IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN I LOOKED UP I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE GLASS BACKK WINDOW AND THEN CONTINUED TO GET BIGGER AND BIGGER UNTIL THE ENTIRE WINDOW WAS GONE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT GLASS IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANU WARRANTY. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I'D USED THE BACKWINDOW DEFROSTER, NEEDLESS TO SAY I'M NOT HAPP SINCE I'VE ONLY HAD MY VEHICCLE SINCE DECEMBER 26TH. I'VE ATTACHED TO PHOTOS. MY CAR IS KEPT IN MY…
Unknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 10971522 · Apr 9, 2017

2017 Audi Q3: questions owners ask

Is the 2017 Audi Q3 reliable?

NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Audi Q3; the most common categories were air bags (2, 25%), engine (2, 25%), steering (1, 12.5%). There are 3 safety recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi Q3?

Across 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (25% of complaints), engine (25% of complaints), steering (12.5% of complaints), suspension (12.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.

Does the 2017 Audi Q3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Audi Q3; the most recent (campaign 19V385000, 2019-05-23) concerns Exterior Lighting: Turn Signal. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Why is my 2017 Audi Q3 burning or losing oil?

3 of the 8 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Audi Q3 (37.5%) describe excessive oil consumption or oil leaks. One owner wrote: "pistons and/or piston rings cause excessive oil consumption, which can lead to the engine catching on fire. This triggers certain sensors in the car "EPC" "Check engine" and "Turn vehicle off now due to low oil pressure" These sensors turn off and on, which…" (NHTSA complaint 11623793, November 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Check your own Q3

Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2017 only.

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