2020 Audi Q3: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2020 Audi Q3 at 22 mpg combined across 1 version. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
3
EPA combined mpg
22
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Audi dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2020 Audi Q3 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2020 Audi Q3, newest first.
Steering
NHTSA 26V590000Reported Sep 11, 2026
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 48LG, 48VT)
Units affected
208,724 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 46i7)
Units affected
313 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q3 vehicles. The brake pedal plate can bend or detach under the pressure applied during sudden stopping.
Risk
A bent or detached brake pedal plate decreases the contact area for the driver's foot and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the weld between the brake pedal and the brake pedal plate and, as necessary, replace the entire brake pedal, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46i7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 72L4)
Components
Seats: Critical fasteners; Seats
Units affected
1 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2020 Audi Q3 vehicle. The driver's seat frame may have incorrectly been bolted to the seat rail.
Risk
The incorrect bolt connection could fail, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolt connection and, as necessary, replace the seat structure, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72L4.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
Advertisement
2020 Audi Q3 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2020 Audi Q3 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2020 Audi Q3 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2020 Audi Q3 SUV AWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.4%
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
Advertisement
2020 Audi Q3 owner complaints
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Audi Q3, most recently on Oct 7, 2026. 3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2020 Audi Q3 complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Electrical system
22
Engine
20
Unknown or other
18
Steering
11
Fuel/propulsion system
10
Power train
6
Vehicle speed control
6
Service brakes
5
Exterior lighting
4
Structure: Body
4
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
