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2018 Audi Q3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Q3.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Audi Q3 is an SUV equipped with Audi's S6 automatic transmission, returning EPA figures of 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for a combined 23 — numbers that sit in a practical but unremarkable range for the segment. Its 4.8-quart oil capacity calls for 5W-40 viscosity, a specification that reflects the European oil standard Audi maintained for this platform's turbocharged engine. With 25 owner complaints and a single recall on record, the 2018 model year falls well below the 2020 peak of 63 complaints across a complaint history spanning 2008 through 2026, placing it in a comparatively stable stretch of the Q3's reliability timeline rather than at a known trouble point.

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 capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06J115403Q. 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.

Tire sizeP235/50R18, P255/40R19, P255/35R20OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q
Engine air filter	1K0129620G
Spark plug	06H905621A alt 06H905601A
Battery	000915089F
Front wiper blades	8U1998002
Thermostat	06H121113B alt 06H121119E
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	172.8 in
Overall width	72 in
Overall height	63.4 in
Wheelbase	102.4 in
Curb weight	3494 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 28 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium 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.

7.7–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2016 Premium Plus Quattro

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2016	Premium Plus Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	16.10 sec	200 hp	AWD
2016	Prestige S-Line Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.10 sec	200 hp	AWD
2015	Prestige Quattro 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.10 sec	200 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-40 engine oil, Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use Audi part number G055025A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.1 qt
Engine Coolant	Use Audi coolant part number G13TL-VW774J
Engine Coolant Capacity	10.5
Engine Oil	5W-40

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	30.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	14.75 ft-lbs
Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Sensor Bolt(s)	35.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Audi
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	87.0
Residual Pressure	43 psi
Engine Compression	159-203 psi @ RPM / Maximum Variation 44 psi

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180.0°

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180.0°

148 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Gasoline engines

1	33.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees; Diesel engines	33 ft. lbs
1	22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90	22 ft. lbs

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

110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

110 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. · Long head bolts

1	Tighten all bolts finger tight.
2	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees; Short head bolts (located in front of head)	90 degrees
1	6.0 ft. lbs.	6 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	2 ft. lbs.	2 ft. lbs
2	7

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	3.7 ft. lbs.	3.7 ft. lbs
2	8.9 ft. lbs.	8.9 ft. lbs
3	11.8 ft. lbs.	11.8 ft. lbs
4	18.4

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Gas engines · Cap bolts: Step 1: 48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Side bolts: Step 1: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees · Diesel engines

48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

48 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 60,000 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 Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · 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 2018 Audi Q3 recorded 25 federal complaints and a single recall, with issues concentrated in the "Unknown Or Other" (6), "Engine" (4), and "Electrical System" (4) categories, though the data does not specify root causes for these problems. Within the generation's trajectory, 2018 represents a sudden spike in complaints—rising from just 7 in 2017—interrupting a brief period of improvement following the 2016 peak of 28 complaints. Furthermore, 2018 sits at the beginning of an erratic arc that eventually leads to a massive 63-complaint surge in 2020, implying underlying inconsistencies rather than platform maturity. Although the 2018 model benefits from the lowest recall count of its surrounding years at just 1, its unpredictable complaint trend and notable engine and electrical grievances make it a moderate risk. Consequently, buyers might find better stability in the lower-complaint 2017 or 2019 models rather than gambling on the 2018.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

563

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 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 25 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other6

Engine4

Electrical System4

Tires2

Air Bags2

Power Train1

Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Electrical System,Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V385000Exterior Lighting:Turn SignalReported 23/05/2019

Volkswagen 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… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 563 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2074640_3	2026-06-26	Engine	This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2059335_7	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2082323_1	2026-06-10	Engine	This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
TSB_2052680_6	2026-06-04	Unknown Or Other	This Reporting Obligation requires technicains to contact the Technical Assistance Center…
TSB_2073867_3	2026-06-04	Engine	This bulletin provides information when DTC U140A00 Terminal 30 is stored in the ECM.

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.

Vehicles taking 4.8 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 1K0129620G Spark plug 06H905621A Battery 000915089F

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 2018 Q3 take?

4.8 qt of 5W-40 Meeting Audi/VW specification 502 00 or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Q3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Q3 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.