Audi Q3 VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Audi Q3 you are looking at. Then check its model year against 19 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixWA1

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Audi Q3

About the Audi Q3

Audi has sold the Q3 in the US since the 2015 model year, and there have been three generations. 8U first (2015–2018), then F3 (2019–2025), and the FJ took over for 2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 19 vehicle recall campaigns and 237 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the F3. Its 2020 and 2022 model years alone account for 98 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and engine and cooling after that. EPA rates the 8U at 23 mpg combined, while the FJ gets 25 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2015–2026

Generations8U · F3 · FJ

NHTSA recall campaigns19

Owner complaints237 at NHTSA

Audi Q3 photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Audi Q3 generations

Three generations since the 2015 model year. The F3 (2019–2025) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (14).

3 / 3

20263rd generation

Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

201520202025

2026· Generation 3 of 3

FJ · 3rd generation

PlatformVolkswagen Group MQB Evo

EPA combined mpg25

NHTSA recalls1

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD
automated manual/dual-clutch (2026)

Sample VIN pattern · FJWA1ABCFJ?T1······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2026 Audi Q3 S Line quattro, built in Gyor, Hungary

Check a Q3 VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Q3 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 19 campaigns on file for Q3 model years 2015–2026, and the 2022 shows up in more of them than any other year (5), ahead of the 2019 (4). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Audi Q3 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2020 and 2022 hold 98 of the 237 complaints, or 41%. Tap any bar or generation.

237NHTSA complaints, 2015–2026

8mention a crash

2mention a fire

7injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearFJ: 5 complaints · most for the 2026 (5)

Top complaint areas · FJ

Owner complaints on file for these model years: 5. That is too few to show patterns.

What Q3 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–2025 (2nd generation, F3)

Complaint counts are modest for the Q3, so the data is thin. The 2020 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and owners most often describe water leaking in from the roof or sunroof, with others reporting stalling, steering problems and worn brake rotors. CarComplaints lists a leaking sunroof and a car that stalls unexpectedly for 2020, and a sunroof leak and an evaporator leak for 2021. Recalls cover a brake pedal plate that may bend on 2020 models and steering rack bolts that may corrode. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the brake pedal and steering rack bolt recalls.
Check the headliner, footwells and carpet for water stains and clear the sunroof drains.
Ask for brake rotor and A/C repair records.
On the drive, watch for stalling and check that the steering feels normal.

Sources (3) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Q3 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Q3 version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

237complaints, 2015–2026

8mention a crash

2mention a fire

7injuries reported

Most complaints: 2020 (65), 2022 (33), 2016 (28)

2020 · 65 complaints

Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 0

Electrical system22

Engine20

Unknown or other18

Fuel/propulsion system10

Steering10

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Q3 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 21 Q3 versions for model years 2015–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 346 g/mi (2022). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

8U2015–2018

23 mpg · CO₂ 380–391 g/mi

F32019–2025

22–26 mpg · CO₂ 346–399 g/mi

FJ2026

25 mpg · CO₂ 362 g/mi

Model year2025

25combined MPG

360CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,300EPA yearly fuel cost

5/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV50 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 50Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Q3 · Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 25 MPG · 360 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Q3 vs BMW X1 vs Volvo XC40

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2026–2026. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the Q3, against 2 for the BMW X1 and 1 for the Volvo XC40. Pick a range to compare.

Audi Q3FJ

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 1
NHTSA owner complaints: 5
EPA combined mpg: 25–25
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 5
Lane departure 2
Electrical system 1

BMW X1

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 2
NHTSA owner complaints: 1
EPA combined mpg: 27–28
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 1

Volvo XC40

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 1
NHTSA owner complaints: 2
EPA combined mpg: 26–27
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 1
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 1
Forward collision avoidance 1

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Audi Q3 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Q3

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Blue Audi Q3 (F3) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Q3's VIN plate is at the base of the driver's side windshield. An engine bay stamp, door jamb sticker, and B-pillar label are the secondary locations. The FJ generation starts with the 2026 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (T for 2026) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Audi Q3 VIN questions

Which Audi Q3 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2020 leads with 65, ahead of the 2022 (33) and 2016 (28). Those first two alone make up 41% of the 237 Q3 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Audi Q3 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 19 vehicle campaigns for model years 2015–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, F3 leads with 14. Then come the 8U (4) and FJ (1), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Audi Q3 recalls are high risk?

20V-273 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Q3 generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the 8U is 2015–2018 and the F3 2019–2025. FJ spans 2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (T is 2026).

What fuel economy does the Audi Q3 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2026 FJ at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 23 mpg for the 2015–2018 8U (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Audi Q3 compare with the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40 on recalls?

For 2026 models the Q3 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign. The BMW X1 has 2, the Volvo XC40 1. Complaints run 5, 1 and 2 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Audi Q3 have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Q3 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

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About the Audi Q3

Audi Q3 generations