What 22 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Audi Q3

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 ODI 11741103

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 ODI 11736168

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 ODI 11731952

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 ODI 11574275

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 ODI 11543256

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329697

MY 2015 Q3 IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM TIMING CHAIN FAILURE LINED IN THE 2019 RECALL FOR MODELS FROM 2008-2014. MY 2015 HAS ABOUT 51,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS ISSUE ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND MY AUDI REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT PROVIDE ME ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN THAT MY VIN DIDN'T FALL IN THE CLASS ACTION EVEN IF I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MY MODEL YEAR SHOULD AT LEAST BE REVIEWED IF THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON JUST A YEAR BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI 11318290

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WOULD CONTINUE TO CLOSE EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V2000000 (VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE BURNED 1/4 QUART OF OIL EVERY 5,000. UPDATED 03/10/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10822010