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2021 Audi Q3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Q3.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Audi Q3 is a compact‑crossover built on the MQB platform and powered by a gasoline engine that requires a 6.0‑quart fill of 0W‑20 oil, paired with Audi’s eight‑speed automatic S8 transmission; its EPA rating of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined reflects the efficiency expected of the segment. Across the model’s 2008‑2026 span, owner complaints have been modest, with the 2021 year posting just 14 complaints—well below the 2020 peak of 63—and the most frequent issue confined to the fuel/propulsion system, while two recalls have been issued to date. This places the 2021 Q3 toward the lower‑end of the model’s historical reliability curve, indicating a comparatively stable year for researchers tracking long‑term dependability.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified

High beam bulbHEADLAMPOEM · verified

Tire size235/55R18 100HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06L115562B
Engine air filter	5Q0129620B
Spark plug	06K905601K
Battery	000915089BC
Front wiper blades	83B998002
Cabin air filter	5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	176.4 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	63.8 in
Wheelbase	105.5 in
Curb weight	3384 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Q3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.3–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 2019 Prestige S-Line Quattro

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2019	Prestige S-Line Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	228 hp	AWD
2019	Prestige S-Line Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	228 hp	AWD
2019	Prestige S-Line Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.40 sec	15.60 sec	228 hp	AWD
2019	Prestige S-Line Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	228 hp	AWD
2019	Prestige S-Line Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.50 sec	16.50 sec	228 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Audi P/N G 052 145 A1, A2 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Audi P/N G 055 540 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.39 qt
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Clutch Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	Audi P/N G 052 145 A1, A2
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.05 qt
Engine Coolant	Audi Coolant G13-TL-VW774J
Engine Coolant Capacity	10.5 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head Instructions	Only use new bolts.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	Use new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug	Final Drive: Use new seal: 14.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug	Final Drive: Use new seal: 14.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order

1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	.98-1.04 lbs

Service checks

Residual Pressure

44.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Use new bolts: 26.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1ZA; Rear: 1KU

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°

110 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts with Collar

37 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 80,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Audi Q3 records 14 complaints, a sharp drop from the 63 complaints logged for the 2020 model year, and sits well below the generation’s peak complaint year. Recalls remain at 2, consistent with the 1–3 recall range seen across most years from 2015 onward, while TSBs are high at 831 but align with the elevated plateau observed from 2019 through 2021. No investigations are reported for any year in the dataset, and the 2021 model’s top complaint areas—fuel/propulsion system and electrical issues—are each cited in only a handful of cases. The data does not specify root causes, but the significant decline in complaints after the 2020 spike suggests that earlier problems may have been addressed. Given its lower complaint count and stable recall activity, the 2021 Q3 appears to be a relatively solid choice within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

831

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’08 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20’21’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Unknown Or Other1

Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Tires1

Electrical System1

Seat Belts,Seats1

Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V606000Seat Belts:Rear/Other:RetractorReported 05/08/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback… Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact…

22V673000Fuel System, Gasoline:StorageReported 08/09/2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the internal vent pipe for damage and replace the charcoal canister and the fuel tank, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 831 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2076404_8	2026-06-29	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_3	2026-06-26	Engine	This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2080373_2	2026-06-25	Power Train	This bulletin provides information when there are uncomfortable gear shifts when shifting…
TSB_2079226_5	2026-06-24	Structure	This bulletin provides information when the sliding glass panoramic sunroof is leaking.
TSB_2074729_3	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Q3. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group R battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt Engine oil filter 06L115562B Engine air filter 5Q0129620B Spark plug 06K905601K Battery 000915089BC

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Q3 take?

6.0 qt of Audi 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Q3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Q3 get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.