2015 Audi Q3 problems

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle: 2015 Audi Q3 | Engine: 2.0L TFSI 4-Cylinder Turbo Component: Engine Complaint Description: While driving on the interstate at highway speed, the red oil pressure warning light illuminated suddenly and without prior warning. The standard low oil level warning light did NOT illuminate prior to the failure. Oil level was verified as correct and within specification at the time of failure. The vehicle suffered a complete and catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation and rod knock, despite a verified proper oil level and oil pressure. The engine requires full replacement. This failure occurred at only 3,432 miles since the most recent oil change. The vehicle has a documented history dating back to 2021 of recurring engine oil consumption concerns, fuel contamination of engine oil, and high-pressure fuel pump failure — all serviced at authorized dealerships. A multipoint inspection performed approximately four months prior to this failure returned a fully satisfactory result with no engine concerns flagged. This is believed to be related to the known piston ring defect in Audi/Volkswagen 2.0L TFSI engines documented in federal class action litigation (Rieger v. Volkswagen Group of America, Case No. 1:21-cv-10546-NLH-EAP), which explicitly named the 2012–2017 Audi Q3 as an affected vehicle. The engine failure occurred without warning while at highway speed, posing a significant and immediate safety risk to the driver and other motorists.

NHTSA complaint #11741103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle: 2015 Audi Q3 | Engine: 2.0L TFSI 4-Cylinder Turbo Component: Engine Complaint Description: While driving on the interstate at highway speed, the red oil pressure warning light illuminated suddenly and without prior warning. The standard low oil level warning light did NOT illuminate prior to the failure. Oil level was verified as correct and within specification at the time of failure. The vehicle suffered a complete and catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation and rod knock, despite a verified proper oil level and oil pressure. The engine requires full replacement. This failure occurred at only 3,432 miles since the most recent oil change. The vehicle has a documented history dating back to 2021 of recurring engine oil consumption concerns, fuel contamination of engine oil, and high-pressure fuel pump failure — all serviced at authorized dealerships. A multipoint inspection performed approximately four months prior to this failure returned a fully satisfactory result with no engine concerns flagged. This is believed to be related to the known piston ring defect in Audi/Volkswagen 2.0L TFSI engines documented in federal class action litigation (Rieger v. Volkswagen Group of America, Case No. 1:21-cv-10546-NLH-EAP), which explicitly named the 2012–2017 Audi Q3 as an affected vehicle. The engine failure occurred without warning while at highway speed, posing a significant and immediate safety risk to the driver and other motorists.

NHTSA complaint #11741103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Vehicle: 2015 Audi Q3 | Engine: 2.0L TFSI 4-Cylinder Turbo Component: Engine Complaint Description: While driving on the interstate at highway speed, the red oil pressure warning light illuminated suddenly and without prior warning. The standard low oil level warning light did NOT illuminate prior to the failure. Oil level was verified as correct and within specification at the time of failure. The vehicle suffered a complete and catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation and rod knock, despite a verified proper oil level and oil pressure. The engine requires full replacement. This failure occurred at only 3,432 miles since the most recent oil change. The vehicle has a documented history dating back to 2021 of recurring engine oil consumption concerns, fuel contamination of engine oil, and high-pressure fuel pump failure — all serviced at authorized dealerships. A multipoint inspection performed approximately four months prior to this failure returned a fully satisfactory result with no engine concerns flagged. This is believed to be related to the known piston ring defect in Audi/Volkswagen 2.0L TFSI engines documented in federal class action litigation (Rieger v. Volkswagen Group of America, Case No. 1:21-cv-10546-NLH-EAP), which explicitly named the 2012–2017 Audi Q3 as an affected vehicle. The engine failure occurred without warning while at highway speed, posing a significant and immediate safety risk to the driver and other motorists.

NHTSA complaint #11741103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I am reporting that authorized dealer Audi Knoxville (Harper Auto Square) is KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY attempting to force me to operate an unsafe vehicle. Following an intake manifold repair, the dealership’s service staff identified carbon buildup and fouled spark plugs as a necessary repair, while the manufacturer (Audi of America) has reclassified it as 'maintenance' to avoid coverage. Because this critical 'top-end' work remains incomplete, the vehicle is at high risk for catastrophic stalling at highway speeds. Despite this, the dealership refuses to sign a safety certification for the vehicle. Under threat of property auction and a 48-hour ultimatum to seize my loaner car, they are coercing me into taking possession of a vehicle they themselves will not certify as safe. This is a willful disregard for consumer safety and federal motor vehicle standards.

NHTSA complaint #11736168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I am reporting that authorized dealer Audi Knoxville (Harper Auto Square) is KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY attempting to force me to operate an unsafe vehicle. Following an intake manifold repair, the dealership’s service staff identified carbon buildup and fouled spark plugs as a necessary repair, while the manufacturer (Audi of America) has reclassified it as 'maintenance' to avoid coverage. Because this critical 'top-end' work remains incomplete, the vehicle is at high risk for catastrophic stalling at highway speeds. Despite this, the dealership refuses to sign a safety certification for the vehicle. Under threat of property auction and a 48-hour ultimatum to seize my loaner car, they are coercing me into taking possession of a vehicle they themselves will not certify as safe. This is a willful disregard for consumer safety and federal motor vehicle standards.

NHTSA complaint #11736168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle experiences sudden, intermittent loss of motive power, severe engine hesitation, and stalling while operating at highway speeds. Diagnostic scans confirm fault codes P2015 and P0341, indicating a failure of the intake manifold position sensor and camshaft position correlation. These mechanical failures, combined with extreme carbon buildup on the valves, create a hazardous operating condition where the vehicle cannot maintain safe speeds in high-traffic environments. The manufacturer (Audi) has acknowledged the intake manifold failure—which is a known defect under an extended 120,000-mile warranty—but refuses to remediate the consequential engine damage (carbon buildup) caused by the faulty manifold and a previous oil overfill incident at a certified dealership (Chapman Audi of Tucson). Despite a 12-month documented history of seeking repairs for these safety symptoms, the dealership repeatedly failed to diagnose the manifold defect, instead clearing codes and returning the vehicle to the road. This systemic failure resulted in a hazardous operating condition that now puts the driver at immediate risk of rear-end collisions due to unpredictable engine stalling. By refusing to perform the necessary top-end cleaning required to restore the engine to a safe state, Audi is knowingly allowing an unsafe vehicle to remain in service. This represents a significant risk to public safety and a failure to address a documented powertrain defect that compromises vehicle control.

NHTSA complaint #11731952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Vehicle experiences sudden, intermittent loss of motive power, severe engine hesitation, and stalling while operating at highway speeds. Diagnostic scans confirm fault codes P2015 and P0341, indicating a failure of the intake manifold position sensor and camshaft position correlation. These mechanical failures, combined with extreme carbon buildup on the valves, create a hazardous operating condition where the vehicle cannot maintain safe speeds in high-traffic environments. The manufacturer (Audi) has acknowledged the intake manifold failure—which is a known defect under an extended 120,000-mile warranty—but refuses to remediate the consequential engine damage (carbon buildup) caused by the faulty manifold and a previous oil overfill incident at a certified dealership (Chapman Audi of Tucson). Despite a 12-month documented history of seeking repairs for these safety symptoms, the dealership repeatedly failed to diagnose the manifold defect, instead clearing codes and returning the vehicle to the road. This systemic failure resulted in a hazardous operating condition that now puts the driver at immediate risk of rear-end collisions due to unpredictable engine stalling. By refusing to perform the necessary top-end cleaning required to restore the engine to a safe state, Audi is knowingly allowing an unsafe vehicle to remain in service. This represents a significant risk to public safety and a failure to address a documented powertrain defect that compromises vehicle control.

NHTSA complaint #11731952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My Audi Q3 2015 started with The TPMS on and the traction skid symbol also lit up on dashboard. I brought it to Audi of Warwick, Rhode Island and they did a diagnostic testing on it and found that it was the all-wheel-drive control module on a lot of 2015 Q3 is just like mine had recalls on that same part in my car only has 80,000 miles on it and at 49,000 miles or 50,000. The whole turbo went on that car and had to be replaced.. I feel that the all-wheel-drive control module [XXX] and went on a car with 80,000 miles on it. That’s only driven 15 to 30 miles a day or not even every day. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11687951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

My Audi Q3 2015 started with The TPMS on and the traction skid symbol also lit up on dashboard. I brought it to Audi of Warwick, Rhode Island and they did a diagnostic testing on it and found that it was the all-wheel-drive control module on a lot of 2015 Q3 is just like mine had recalls on that same part in my car only has 80,000 miles on it and at 49,000 miles or 50,000. The whole turbo went on that car and had to be replaced.. I feel that the all-wheel-drive control module [XXX] and went on a car with 80,000 miles on it. That’s only driven 15 to 30 miles a day or not even every day. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11687951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

My Audi Q3 2015 started with The TPMS on and the traction skid symbol also lit up on dashboard. I brought it to Audi of Warwick, Rhode Island and they did a diagnostic testing on it and found that it was the all-wheel-drive control module on a lot of 2015 Q3 is just like mine had recalls on that same part in my car only has 80,000 miles on it and at 49,000 miles or 50,000. The whole turbo went on that car and had to be replaced.. I feel that the all-wheel-drive control module [XXX] and went on a car with 80,000 miles on it. That’s only driven 15 to 30 miles a day or not even every day. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11687951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that the horn became inoperable and additionally, the hand controls were not functioning as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The horn was also inoperable. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11599198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that the horn became inoperable and additionally, the hand controls were not functioning as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The horn was also inoperable. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11599198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil light remained illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who confirmed that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The mechanic performed an oil change however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the controls on the steering wheel were inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag was inoperable due to the electrical shortage in the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,600.

NHTSA complaint #11574275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil light remained illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who confirmed that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The mechanic performed an oil change however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the controls on the steering wheel were inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag was inoperable due to the electrical shortage in the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,600.

NHTSA complaint #11574275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I have 2015 Audi Q3 is very unsafe suspension. The rear lower arm worn out & unsafe to drive & very dangerous, risk to Accident. Under 98,000 miles & the lower control get Rusty & almost to split in half. The Audi Dealership should have a Recall to this Vehicle & is Unsafe to drive it to all Consumers like me. I keep the Rear Suspension & incase u Guy's like to see it.

NHTSA complaint #11561616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to rusted rear trailing arms, bolts, shocks, and coil springs. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11551041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that the front driver’s side air bag was replaced under recall in November 2022. The contact stated that one month after the recall repair was completed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11543256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I was driving and the car went out of control. I had the steering wheel straight, but the rear end started to fishtail in and out of the oncoming lane of traffic. As this happened I had to quickly jerk the steering wheel to get it out of the other lane of oncoming traffic. I had to slow down to 10 mph to get home with the flashers on, all the while it continued to swerve both left and right on it's own. We had the vehicle towed to the Audi dealership (Mohegan Lake Audi) and they said the rear control arms cracked. They say it rusted through causing it to crack. It has not been inspected by anyone else. No warning lights or other indication this would happen. It simply went from normal in-control driving to a car that drove uncontrolled. I have an open case with Audi USA on this matter as Peter (Service Operations) at the dealership said this happens often to the control arms and refused to assist us in any other manner.

NHTSA complaint #11516246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The Clock Spring is not functioning in our 2015 Audi Q3. The horn is non-functioning and we were told by the Audi dealership, after waiting for that part for three months, that there is a 50-50 chance that the driver air bag will not deploy and the cruise control is not working. I was alerted to this possible problem because my airbag light is on but was initially told it was only because of the horn. When we took it to the dealership initially to fix the horn, we were told it was on back order. I was not comfortable driving without a horn but was hoping it would be in soon. I continued to call every couple of weeks and was told not in yet. It was coming from overseas. Not until we went in and spoke with the Service Dept and kept asking more and more questions, did we find out that the Clock Spring is not coming any time soon. There seems to be a problem with the new Clock Spring being manufactured. Evidently it is the same part that VW uses, which was recalled, remanufactured and than problems still existed with the new part. I think it is not being manufactured. This is a huge concern because I commute to work which takes 3-4 hours a day of highway and city driving. It is a disappointment that Audi did not alert us to this manufacturing problem when we first took it in. Evidently it is impossible to find a used part and not recommended because no guarantee it will work either. They have offered to buy it back for less than what I paid and it is very hard to find another comparable used car that I can afford and won't have the same problem... I am very disappointed in the dealership not telling me about the possibility of the airbag not working and that the horn would not be coming any time soon since the problem has not been resolved with the replacement Clock Spring (Part #5K0-953-569-AL). I think this needs to be told to the consumers.

NHTSA complaint #11459821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The Clock Spring is not functioning in our 2015 Audi Q3. The horn is non-functioning and we were told by the Audi dealership, after waiting for that part for three months, that there is a 50-50 chance that the driver air bag will not deploy and the cruise control is not working. I was alerted to this possible problem because my airbag light is on but was initially told it was only because of the horn. When we took it to the dealership initially to fix the horn, we were told it was on back order. I was not comfortable driving without a horn but was hoping it would be in soon. I continued to call every couple of weeks and was told not in yet. It was coming from overseas. Not until we went in and spoke with the Service Dept and kept asking more and more questions, did we find out that the Clock Spring is not coming any time soon. There seems to be a problem with the new Clock Spring being manufactured. Evidently it is the same part that VW uses, which was recalled, remanufactured and than problems still existed with the new part. I think it is not being manufactured. This is a huge concern because I commute to work which takes 3-4 hours a day of highway and city driving. It is a disappointment that Audi did not alert us to this manufacturing problem when we first took it in. Evidently it is impossible to find a used part and not recommended because no guarantee it will work either. They have offered to buy it back for less than what I paid and it is very hard to find another comparable used car that I can afford and won't have the same problem... I am very disappointed in the dealership not telling me about the possibility of the airbag not working and that the horn would not be coming any time soon since the problem has not been resolved with the replacement Clock Spring (Part #5K0-953-569-AL). I think this needs to be told to the consumers.

NHTSA complaint #11459821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The Clock Spring is not functioning in our 2015 Audi Q3. The horn is non-functioning and we were told by the Audi dealership, after waiting for that part for three months, that there is a 50-50 chance that the driver air bag will not deploy and the cruise control is not working. I was alerted to this possible problem because my airbag light is on but was initially told it was only because of the horn. When we took it to the dealership initially to fix the horn, we were told it was on back order. I was not comfortable driving without a horn but was hoping it would be in soon. I continued to call every couple of weeks and was told not in yet. It was coming from overseas. Not until we went in and spoke with the Service Dept and kept asking more and more questions, did we find out that the Clock Spring is not coming any time soon. There seems to be a problem with the new Clock Spring being manufactured. Evidently it is the same part that VW uses, which was recalled, remanufactured and than problems still existed with the new part. I think it is not being manufactured. This is a huge concern because I commute to work which takes 3-4 hours a day of highway and city driving. It is a disappointment that Audi did not alert us to this manufacturing problem when we first took it in. Evidently it is impossible to find a used part and not recommended because no guarantee it will work either. They have offered to buy it back for less than what I paid and it is very hard to find another comparable used car that I can afford and won't have the same problem... I am very disappointed in the dealership not telling me about the possibility of the airbag not working and that the horn would not be coming any time soon since the problem has not been resolved with the replacement Clock Spring (Part #5K0-953-569-AL). I think this needs to be told to the consumers.

NHTSA complaint #11459821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door locking mechanism intermittently failed, and the door could not be opened from the inside or outside of the vehicle. The contact indicated that when the failure occurred the door could not be unlocked manually or while using the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the door actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #11427828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was depressed however, no sound was heard. The contact also stated that all the buttons on the steering wheel failed to operate when engaged such as the radio and windshield wipers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was diagnosed as an improper ground wire connected to the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #11420470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TIMING CHAIN JUMPED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY

NHTSA complaint #11388913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.