WA1BFCFS2GR0116332016 AUDI Q3Premium Plus
Executive Summary
2016 AUDI Q3 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 27 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- ▸3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- ▸27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — above average for this class
- ▸Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
- ▸Electrical is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- ▸Engine or platform shared with models that have documented failure issues
- ▸Active or settled class action lawsuit on record for this model — VW/Audi TDI Dieselgate Emissions Defeat Device (2009–2016)
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
- Make
- AUDI
- Model
- Q3
- Year
- 2016
- Trim / Series
- Premium Plus
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L 200 hp
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- AUDI AG
- Assembly
- MARTORELL, SPAIN
- GVWR
- Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
- ▸Brake system recall
- ▸1 complaint(s) involved a fire
- ⚠3 recalls on same component: Electrical
- ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
2.0L EA888 TSI: timing chain tensioner and water pump failures well-documented
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
Documented systemic defect with class action or NHTSA investigation. These issues are often unrepaired at point of sale.
NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~67%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
AUDI completes recalls at a fair rate (84%). If this vehicle has open recalls, follow up with a dealer — average remedy time is ~22 months.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~22 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
SummaryVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
SummaryVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."Read full details...
~32% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
SummaryVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
100% of complaints about "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE" were filed AFTER recall campaign 16V642000 (2016-06-09) — the recall remedy may not have fully resolved the issue.
Continuing complaints after a recall may indicate an inadequate fix, a new failure mode, or that many vehicles never had the recall performed. Verify recall completion status directly with NHTSA.
⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse
33% of complaints filed in Oct & Feb — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
The blue line shows 27 total NHTSA complaints filed over 10 years, with the worst year being 2021 (6 complaints).
The amber reliability line averaged 84/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 64/100 in 2021.
The recall (red dashed line) were issued in the same year or before complaints peaked, suggesting the manufacturer identified and acted on the defect relatively quickly.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2016, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
- ▸Volkswagen Dieselgate: TDI engines equipped with defeat device software to cheat EPA emissions tests
- ▸VW settled with US owners for $14.7 billion — one of the largest auto class action settlements in history
- ▸Affected owners received buyback offers and extended emissions warranty
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $51,614 (~$860/mo). Repair risk buffer is elevated due to vehicle risk profile.
32% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.
- ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
- ▸Active class action lawsuit — legal pressure often accelerates recalls
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Toyota models consistently rank in the bottom quartile for NHTSA complaint density across all segments
Honda models have below-average recall rates and no known systemic powertrain defects in recent years
Mazda has the industry's lowest complaint-per-vehicle rate in multiple consecutive NHTSA reporting years
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | WA1BFCFS2GR011633 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Make | AUDI |
| Model | Q3 |
| Trim | Premium Plus |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Doors | 4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Automatic |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Horsepower | 200 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | AUDI AG |
| Assembly City | MARTORELL |
| Assembly Country | SPAIN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | WA1 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 2 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | G |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | R |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 011633 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 27 |
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 5/3/2026, 7:55:36 PM.