[Flipout]

I have a 2014 Q3 and a few months ago the undertray came off on the front passenger side just behind the front wheel. Apparently I'd snapped some sort of bracket which they had to replace even though all I'd done was drive through a puddle. Now it's come off again just through surface water (as I avoid puddles which is sad given its an SUV). Has anyone else had any similar issues?

First time round I was told by the garage where I bought it that its only a flimsy bit of material and is likely to come off with enough water hitting it. Sounds a bit rubbish to me and a bit of a design flaw.

 

[nickjs1984]

Hmm - well, that seems highly unlikely as an explanation for what's going on. Was this Q3 purchased new or had it been previously driven by someone else?

 

[Flipout]

Bought brand new. First came off 8 months after purchase. Garage wanted me to pay about £150 to fix it as not covered under warranty, but finally after some moaning offered to do as a good will gesture. Now I'm worried that if it keeps coming off that I'm going to be paying a lot to keep fixing it when the weather is a little wet. Tempted to get them to remove it...

 

[nickjs1984]

Very strange. I've definitely driven mine through plenty of water - puddles, a few washed out sections of road, plenty of heavy rains on the highway - and in some truly snowy conditions as well as over lots of rocky roads/paths in the countryside and *knocks on wood* all is still as it should be with the under tray. Is there another dealership in your area you could go to for a second opinion?

 

[9242]

The undercarriage material is the same stuff that's in the wheel wells. It's made of felt type material. Lots of automakers are using his now to cut back on road noise but I would have to think its not as durable as plastic.

Only time will tell how it will hold up. Especially when it gets soaked then freezes or running it through lots of water over and over.

Can't say for sure if the material type has improved from 2014 models.

 

[Flapjack]

Having similar problem with a new Q3 which I've had since last May. Lots of rain, roads awash in February and noticed a bit of the undertray behind front passenger wheel was hanging down. Before getting to Audi dealer there was a dreadful noise from under the car - phoned the dealer who told me to call Audi Assist. They came out the following day and strapped the tray back up and saying this was not unusual due to the very wet conditions and that it would be fixed under warranty. Booked it in to be done only to be told that it was not a warranty job as I had driven through a deep pothole - which is wrong, I haven't. Still waiting for a plausible and sensible response from the Audi dealer.

 

[S4'ed]

I bet that the root of the problem is that whoever removed it (for service), did not properly install the 12 or so screws that hold the splashpan to the vehicle. When properly fastened, it is not at all "flimsy".