2021 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2021 Audi Q3 has 10 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Rear Seat Belt Automatic Locking Retractor Deactivates Early - Child-Seat Recall 21V606 ($0-$0 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $700 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2021 Audi Q3 has 10 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Seat Belt Automatic Locking Retractor Deactivates Early - Child-Seat Recall 21V606, Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (Direct Injection), 2020-2024 Audi Q3 Coolant-Pump Leak TSB 2071515/1. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2021 Audi Q3 has 10 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Rear Seat Belt Automatic Locking Retractor Deactivates Early - Child-Seat Recall 21V606. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Audi Q3 issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Rear Seat Belt Automatic Locking Retractor Deactivates Early - Child-Seat Recall 21V606, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
On certain 2021 Q3s the rear seat belt's automatic locking retractor (the mode used to cinch a child restraint) can switch back to emergency-locking mode before the belt is fully retracted, so a child seat installed with the belt may not stay tight. NHTSA recall 21V-606 was filed… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
All Q3 models with direct-injection 2.0 TFSI engines (2015-2023) suffer from carbon buildup on intake valves. In direct-injection engines, fuel sprays directly into the cylinder, bypassing intake valves. Intake valves are only exposed to oil vapors from the PCV system, which bake… Repairs typically run $700-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
STEERING
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly.
+ 6 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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Audi TSB 2071515/1 covers 2020-2024 Q3 vehicles with a 2.0 TFSI engine when coolant loss, a visible leak or the coolant warning lamp can be assigned to the coolant pump. Audi warns that an apparent level drop can instead follow incomplete bleeding during production or a prior rep… Severity: medium.
2019-2021 F3 Q3 owners report Audi pre sense triggering with no hazard: the warning symbol and chime, a brake 'jolt', or partial/emergency braking when passing parked cars, pedestrians on the sidewalk, or in curves. NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Q3 service brakes describe the sys… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.
Q3s with the MIB3 infotainment unit began rebooting repeatedly while driving - screen goes black, Audi logo, restart every few minutes, with navigation, phone, camera and audio dropping out each time. Audi determined the trigger was a SiriusXM broadcast/app change that interacted… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
Nearly-new F3 Q3s are reported dead in the driveway after a few days: a 2019 Q3 with 6,000 miles would not start on day five, and an 18-day-old 2021 Q3 threw a 'battery discharging' warning and needed a new battery. Owners on AudiQ3Forum and AudiWorld report Audi technical suppor… Repairs typically run $0-$450. Severity: medium.
Early F3 Q3s leak rainwater into the cabin: owners describe drips from the headliner near the A-pillar/mirror, soaked front footwells, and in some cases water reaching electrical components behind the overhead console, causing random interior lights and warnings. Audi TSB 2056944… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: medium.
Distinct from the 22V806 hardware recall already on file, two earlier software campaigns hit the F3 Q3: NHTSA 21V-825 (Oct 2021, 2021-2022 Q3) and 22V-064 (Feb 2022, 2022 Q3). A software error in the infotainment unit means the rear-view camera image may not appear when reverse i… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
Sharp-edged gripping tools at supplier TI Automotive damaged the internal vent pipe inside fuel tank 5QF 201 021 MD during assembly. Fuel enters the vent pipe, rises to the filler cap under tank pressure and can spill out when the cap is opened; the same fault makes the pump nozz… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
The second-generation Q3 (US) replaced the 8U's 6-speed with an Aisin 8-speed torque-converter automatic. AudiWorld's five-page 'Q3 Transmission Shift Quirks' thread and follow-on threads document 2019-2022 owners reporting a pronounced jerk on the 1-2 upshift under moderate thro… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: low.
