Head-to-head reliability

AUDI Q3 vs Toyota Camry

How the AUDI Q3 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

AUDI Q3140 complaints · 21 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,024 complaints · 28 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

AUDI Q3 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. AUDI Q3 has 140 complaints and 21 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,024 complaints and 28 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryAUDI Q3Toyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined140 Better2,024
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns21 Better28
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints5 Better175
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years14.0 Better202.4
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints3 Better160
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

AUDI Q3

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM41
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER35
  3. 03ENGINE34
  4. 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17
  5. 05STEERING13
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

We are submitting this formal complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved issue with the HVAC (air conditioning) system in our 2024 Audi Q3 Quattro S Line. Since February 2024, we have consistently experienced failures in the climate control system, partic…

Vehicle failed to start with many tries despite my own key fob. Initially displayed message with 'Theft' reference, then changed to "Checking remote access rights. Please wait..." on screen. Opening door triggered unexpected shocking alarm, which stopped afte…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN372
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER317
  3. 03ENGINE307
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES284
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM224
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The 8 speed transmission sometimes hard shifts to a different gear randomly. Happened total of 4 times while cruising. During Low speed, when press the gas let go and gas immediately again causes the car to jerk and the transmission shifts hard in stop and go…

The contact owned a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH there would be a loud noise emitting from the rear-end of the vehicle that seemed as if the vehicle was running rough. The contact stated that while being idl…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

AUDI Q3 — 21 recalls

Visibility — Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
#26V209000Jan 2026

The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2026 Q3 vehicles. Incorrect software may allow remote sunroof closing from a distance that prevents the operator from clearly seeing the sunroof. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safet…

The risk: Closing the sunroof without the ability to see it can increase the risk of injury to occupants.

The fix: Dealers will update the sunroof control module software and the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recal…

Back Over Prevention — Software
#25V082000Dec 2025

The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to com…

The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy p…

Back Over Prevention — Software
#25V082000Dec 2025

The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to com…

The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy p…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V251000Mar 2024

The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical conn…

The risk: A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for th…

Toyota Camry — 28 recalls

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.

The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…

Seats
#24V128000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…

Seats
#24V128000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…

The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearAUDI Q3Toyota Camry
2026173
20253131
20241744
2023057
2022056
202114151
202063261
201910379
201825724
20177148
Years to scrutinize: the 2020 AUDI Q3 drew the most complaints (63); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (724). Inspect these model years especially closely.

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI Q3 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

AUDI Q3 vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
AUDI Q3 vs Toyota Camry
AUDI Q3 total complaints
140
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,024
AUDI Q3 total recalls
21
Toyota Camry total recalls
28
AUDI Q3 avg complaints/year
14.0
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
202.4
More reliable overall
AUDI Q3
AUDI Q3 top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN