Last updated: 2026-08-24

Audi Q3 vs Dodge Hornet: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Audi Q3 and the Dodge Hornet? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Audi Q3 currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 59/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Audi Q3 is more reliable than the Dodge Hornet, scoring 74/100 vs 59/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Audi Q3 has 15.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  2. 2Audi Q3 scores 15 points higher in reliability
  3. 3Dodge Hornet has 4 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2Audi Q3
1Dodge Hornet
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Audi Q3 vs Dodge Hornet: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi Q3 vs Dodge Hornet at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricAudi Q3Dodge Hornet
Reliability Score74/10059/100
Years Tracked93
Total Recalls1713
Complaints per 10k Sold6.421.7
Year Wins30

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q3 and Dodge Hornet?

Audi Q3 vs Dodge Hornet common problem areas comparison
ComponentAudi Q3Dodge Hornet
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1.5LowNone
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.9Very LowNone
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.4Very LowNone
SERVICE BRAKES0.4Very LowNone
STEERING0.4Very LowNone
ENGINE0.3Very LowNone
POWER TRAIN0.2Very LowNone
AIR BAGS0.2Very LowNone
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.1Very LowNone
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.1Very LowNone
EQUIPMENT0.1Very LowNone
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.1Very LowNone
SEAT BELTS0.1Very LowNone
EXTERIOR LIGHTING0.1Very LowNone
TIRES0.1Very LowNone

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Audi Q3 vs Dodge Hornet Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi Q3 vs Dodge Hornet year-by-year reliability scores
YearAudi Q3Dodge HornetEdge
202575/1001R / 3C64/1002R / 1CAudi Q3
202475/1002R / 16C54/1007R / 60CAudi Q3
202374/1001R / 1C59/1004R / 25CAudi Q3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Audi Q3 scored 75/100 and the 2025 Dodge Hornet scored 64/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Audi Q3 vs Dodge Hornet: Common Questions

Is the Audi Q3 more reliable than the Dodge Hornet?
Based on our data, the Audi Q3 is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 59/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Audi Q3 or the Dodge Hornet?
The Audi Q3 has more recalls (17) compared to the Dodge Hornet (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q3 or the Dodge Hornet?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi Q3 has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.7 for the Dodge Hornet. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Decided between Audi Q3 and Dodge Hornet? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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