Recall 19V385 affects 23,241 2016-2018 Audi Q3 SUVs for an inoperable turn-signal indicator. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 23,241 2016-2018 Q3 SUVs with LED headlights under recall 19V385 because an inoperable front turn signal does not trigger a dashboard indicator, leaving the driver unaware the signal is out. A driver who turns or changes lanes without a working signal raises the risk of a crash, and Audi dealers will correct the issue free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front turn signals on the 2016-2018 Audi Q3 are part of the LED exterior lighting system. Their job is twofold: they flash amber outside the vehicle to tell other drivers you are turning or changing lanes, and they trigger an indicator on the dashboard so you can confirm the signal is working from the driver's seat. That dashboard feedback is the part that matters here.
On affected Q3s, the wiring and control logic for the LED front turn signal do not register a bulb-out condition the way federal lighting rules require. If a front turn signal stops working, the dash indicator keeps flashing at a normal rate instead of alerting you. The vehicle no longer meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which governs lamps and signaling equipment.
There is no warning sign before failure. You will not know the front signal has gone out unless someone tells you or you check the lamp from outside the vehicle.
Who's affected?
Covers three model years of the Q3 (2016, 2017, and 2018), all sharing the same turn-signal defect.
| 2018 Audi Q3 | Turn signal |
|---|---|
| 2017 Audi Q3 | Turn signal |
| 2016 Audi Q3 | Turn signal |
| Units affected | 23,241 |
Not every 2016-2018 Audi Q3 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A turn signal that fails without warning lets the driver change lanes or turn without alerting nearby traffic, which raises the risk of a crash. Watch for a signal that stays dark or behaves oddly, and have it checked before the next drive. Schedule the repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Audi dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2018 Audi Q3 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Audi dealer to schedule the body control module update that restores the turn-signal indicator warning.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V385 when you call.
- Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions, and reference Audi's internal recall number 97DK.
- Check your front turn signals before each drive and use hand signals if a bulb is out until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician updates the body control module software that controls the LED headlight turn signal indicators. The update restores the dashboard warning so the driver is alerted when a front turn signal stops working. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have questions about the repair or want to confirm your VIN is included, Audi customer service is reachable at 1-800-253-2834, and the internal recall code is 97DK.
Timeline
| May 23, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 21, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V385?
Recall 19V385 covers 23,241 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles with LED headlights where an inoperable front turn signal does not trigger an indicator to alert the driver. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. Audi dealers will update the body control module software for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2018 Audi Q3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Q3 is included in recall 19V385. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the body control module software update. Reference Audi recall number 97DK or NHTSA campaign 19V385 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. Audi will update the body control module software free of charge at any franchised Audi dealer, regardless of where the Q3 was originally purchased.
What if I bought my Audi Q3 used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Audi never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Q3 is included in recall 19V385, and reference Audi recall 97DK when you contact the dealer.
What is the safety risk?
Without a dashboard indicator warning the driver that a front turn signal is out, the driver can turn or change lanes without a working signal, increasing crash risk for the Q3 and surrounding traffic. The body control module update restores the indicator so the driver is alerted when a bulb fails.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V385000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V385 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V385000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →