2016-2018 Q3 Reliability?

[chasiu]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into purchasing a 2016-2018 Q3 2.0t Quattro as a daily all year round here in Canada (so winter and summer seasons). Just wondering if there are any reliability issues people have come across in the long run and anything in particular I should look out for.

Thanks in advance!

[itsmatt33]

owned the car since 2018 and have 50k miles. No issues thus far. I know some people had sunroof drain issues with older and newer q3 but otherwise this car has been pretty great

[S4'ed]

The 2015 thru 2018 generation of the Q3 is one of the most reliable VW/Audi models built in the last 10 years.
I have a 2015 with 89,000 miles, the only problem was the intake manifold, which was replaced for free under an Audi extended warrantee on that part.

Advice:
Change the engine oil and filter every 5000 miles, only use an OEM filter and 0W-40 (or 5W-40) oil that meets the VW502 spec.
Change the automatic transmission filter and fluid every 40,000 miles.
Change the Haldex fluid and clean the filter screen on the pump motor every 40,000 miles.
Replace the PCV/Pressure Regulator unit every 50,000 miles.

The newer generation of Q3 (2019 onward) have more problems....and they don't drive as nice.... they cheaped-out a bit on it.

[itsmatt33]

The 2015 thru 2018 generation of the Q3 is one of the most reliable VW/Audi models built in the last 10 years.
I have a 2015 with 89,000 miles, the only problem was the intake manifold, which was replaced for free under an Audi extended warrantee on that part.

Advice:
Change the engine oil and filter every 5000 miles, only use an OEM filter and 0W-40 (or 5W-40) oil that meets the VW502 spec.
Change the automatic transmission filter and fluid every 40,000 miles.
Change the Haldex fluid and clean the filter screen on the pump motor every 40,000 miles.
Replace the PCV/Pressure Regulator unit every 50,000 miles.

The newer generation of Q3 (2019 onward) have more problems....and they don't drive as nice.... they cheaped-out a bit on it.

u didnt decide to go aftermarket catch can for pcv?

[S4'ed]

No, I have not had any problems so-far from carbon build-up on the intake valves. I have not cleaned them yet.

[findalex]

I agree. I've been looking at 2017/2018 Q3 for about 3 years now. Was going to buy one in 2020, but the pandemic happened and prices went stupid high.

It's still high now, 2018 avg about $24K. It's worth no more than 16K if we look at historical depreciation rates.