Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Audi Q3
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Audi Q3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 15 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V590000 Loss of Steering Control from Bolt Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V673000 Fuel Tank Vent Pipe May Be Damaged NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V606000 Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
- Electrical System 3 complaints
- Engine 3 complaints
- Seat Belts 2 complaints
- Unknown or Other 2 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Of the 15 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 15 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Audi Q3 has an average reliability rating. Fuel system issues are backed by both recalls and owner complaints. There are also concerns with the electronic systems and engine, though less widespread. The issues are not severe enough to warrant a below-average rating but do necessitate caution.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel system | 10,000–30,000 miles | $200–$1,500 | very common |
| engine | 20,000–50,000 miles | $500–$3,000 | common |
| electrical system | 15,000–45,000 miles | $200–$1,000 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Air filter change
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Spark plug replacement
- Transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Fuel odor in cabin
- Engine misfires or stalls
- Dashboard warning lights
- Difficulty starting
- Reduced fuel efficiency
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Audi Q3 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.