The Audi Q3 is a compact luxury SUV that has become very popular with customers looking for an affordable SUV. According to Audi, the Q3 offers “a perfect balance between performance and design.” However many Audi Q3 owners are reporting a sunroof water leak into the cabin of the car.
Audi Q3 Sunroof Water Leak Summary
- Headliners are being soaked and electronics are short-circuited
- Water leaks are caused by stress cracks in the plastic water channel.
- TSBs have been issued for the sunroof water leak
- Class Action lemon law suits have been filed against Audi.
Sunroof Design Defect – Plastic Water Chanel Stress Cracks
The Audi Q3 is available with a panoramic sunroof option. The panoramic sunroof is a large glass panel that spans the length of the roof and can be opened to allow fresh air and natural light into the cabin.
Unfortunately the Audi sunroof has a defect which can result in a water leak into the cabin of the car. The water leaks in the Audi Q3 are due to stress cracks found in the plastic water channel that runs around the sunroof.
The plastic water channel expands differently then its steel reinforced brackets, causing cracks where they meet. Even a small crack can allow water to enter.
In addition to the plastic water channel cracks, Audi Q3 owners have also reported “pinched shut” rear drains as a result of improper assembly.
Owners Report Sunroof Water Leaks Online
Many Audi Q3 owners have reported sunroof water leaks online. Here is a sunroof water leak complaint on the Audi Q3 Forum
My 2020 Audi Q3 has a leaking moonroof and it’s pouring into the light/moonroof control panel and causing it to rain heavily in my car.
Going in for my second repair attempt at the dealership. Any idea if this is a fixable problem or does anyone have any experience with Audi buying back their vehicle?
I was completely drenched and my interior will probably need to be replaced if this persists.
The complaints of Audi sunroof water leaks continue with a report on Audi World
Shocking ! brand new 2020 Q3 had a bad water-leak inside this past weekend. Water just came pouring in like rain !!! – took it to the local dealer here and also forwarded them some pictures and related TSB. They opened up the clogged drains on the sun-roof channel and also removed the two nipples from both sides to allow for better draining of water.
Finally one Audi Q3 owner was able to film the sunroof water leak on Youtube, stating
My new Audi Q3 2020 has been leaking water from the dome light boxes, even after 5 repairs at the dealership.
Water and Electrical Damage
An Audi Q3 with a water leak can cause the major interior damage.
- Water soaked Headliners and Carpet requiring major repairs
- Growth of Mold and Mildew in the interior of the Audi Q3
- Extensive damage to sensitive Electrical Equipment and Computers
Needless to say, if you are experiencing a water leak in the sunroof of your Audi Q3, it is important to have it addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Audi Q3 Sunroof Water Leak Technical Bulletins and Repair
In response to the sunroof water leak problems, Audi has issued technical service bulletins (TSB) for the Q3 and other models.
According to TSB MC-10182485-0001 “One or a combination of the following four possible (sunroof water leak) scenarios may be present. These areas of the sunroof system will need to be inspected as possible root causes.“
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- Sunroof drain hose or outlet valve: Visually inspect all 4 sunroof drain hoses and valves for any damage or obstruction
- Roof opening seal: Inspect the entire perimeter of the roof opening seal for any detachment or malformation
- Glass sunroof panels: Check all adjustment axes of the sunroof glass panels for poor adjustment
- Unexplained or unduplicated water entry: When the vehicle is exposed to water (rain, car wash, or standing water on the roof panel) either with the vehicle stationary or driving it is possible for water to enter the sunroof frame, breach the normal water drainage channeling, and leak into the cabin area. This is heightened if the sunroof is opened or vented when the vehicle is wet.
This water drip may not appear until after a driving period when the water travels to the underside of the headliner area during the normal course of driving. This occurs due to a slow migration of water along the wind deflector hinge arms and water entry into the stowage area for the wind deflector.
Audi Sunroof Water Leak Class Action
It is not surprising that class action law suits have been filed against Audi for the Sunroof problems.
On April 8, 2020 a class action, Ziarno, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., was filed in New Jersey alleging that Audi knowingly sold Audi Q3 and other models with defective sunroofs that leak in the rain, damaging the cars’ interiors and electronics.
And in March 2020, another class action, Cole, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, was filed in California alleging lemon law violations for owners of Audi Q3 and other models due to the leaking sunroofs.
The Audi sunroof water leak class action lawsuits allege the following models are affected with defective water leaking sunroofs.
- 2016-present Audi A1
- 2016-present Audi A3
- 2016-present Audi TT
- 2016-present Audi Q2
- 2016-present Audi Q3
- 2016-present Volkswagen Arteon
- 2016-present Volkswagen Atlas/Teramont
- 2016-present Volkswagen Golf
- 2016-present Volkswagen Jetta
- 2016-present Volkswagen Passat
- 2016-present Volkswagen Polo
- 2016-present Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2016-present Volkswagen Touran
Lemon Law Information for your Audi Q3 Sunroof Water Leak
If your Audi Q3 or other Audi/VW model is experiencing a sunroof water leak make sure you understand your lemon law rights and what you should do if you have a lemon.
An Audi Q3 Sunroof water leak may permit you to obtain a refund or new car under the lemon law.
Let the lemon law experts at David J. Gorberg & Associates help you. We’re PA Lemon Law, NJ Lemon Law, NY Lemon Law and Hawaii Lemon Law Attorneys and can help you get a refund or new car.
You don’t need to take Audi on by yourself, let us do it for you!
Contact us today and tell us about your lemon!
