Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

4 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2026

EnginePower TrainSteering

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On XXX, I was driving northbound on US-101 from [XXX] to [XXX] to pick up a family member for an appointment. The vehicle had been operating normally at freeway speed. As traffic slowed for a construction zone near Summerland, I intentionally reduced speed to approximately 20 mph. At that point, I heard a sudden abnormal rotational mechanical noise from the engine compartment, best described as a flapping or rubbing sound. The noise had not been present earlier during the drive. Within moments, the engine lost power and shut down. The vehicle lost propulsion while in traffic, and power steering assist was lost after the engine stopped. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The engine would not restart. Before this incident, I did not observe any meaningful warning of an impending catastrophic engine failure. I did not observe an engine overheating warning, an oil-pressure warning, or any other dashboard warning indicating an imminent engine seizure. Before purchasing the vehicle, and during my ownership, I used Ross-Tech VCDS (Audi/VW-specific diagnostic software) as part of proactive maintenance and monitoring. Nothing identified an impending catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was transported to an independent European repair facility for inspection. The shop determined that the engine is mechanically seized and advised that the precise initiating cause cannot be determined without engine disassembly. An Audi dealership likewise indicated that additional manufacturer-level diagnostic procedures would be required. A case was created, and Audi declined assistance. I am submitting this complaint because the engine failed suddenly during normal operation without a meaningful advance warning, resulting in an immediate loss of propulsion in traffic. I believe this type of unexpected catastrophic engine failure presents a potential safety concern if it occurs while the vehicle is being operated on a public roadway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

NHTSA ODI #11754103

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2022

Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

First thing is fuel smell in cabin very dangerous for me as well as any passengers Next is transmission there is no way telling how much fluid is in the vehicle that should be monitored by the consumer they have a right to know Front & rear axles seem to get worn quickly must be a problem in the drivetrain somewhere

NHTSA ODI #11484933

82,000 miles · Apr 23, 2019

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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THE VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED POORLY AFTER COMPLETING A US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MANDATED "FIX" OF DIESEL (3.0 LITER TDI, ENGINE CODE CNRB) EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT RELATED TO VW/AUDI EMISSIONS CHEATING. THERE IS NOW SPORADIC LAG IN ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, OR ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I HAVE PULLED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND THE POWER DELIVERY WAS NON-EXISTENT, FOLLOWED BY, AFTER A 1 SECOND DELAY, RAPID OVER ACCELERATION. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN MANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE REDUCTANT METERING MODULE FAILURE THAT HAS CAUSED DANGEROUS DELAYS AND LAGS IN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI #11203177

109,000 miles · Jan 31, 2018

EnginePower Train

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WITHIN 300 MILES OF THE DIESEL RECALL MODIFICATION THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT 70 MPH AND SLOWLY DRIFTED TO LOWER SPEED. ADDITIONALLY THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR (IT STAYED IN 8TH). AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING IT OFF A "RESET ACCOURED" AND THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ANOTHER 300 MILES. THE CAR AGAIN LOST POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AUDI AND THEY "CLEANED" THE ERG VALVE. THE LOSS OF POWER AND LACK OF TRANSMISSION ACCRUED AGAIN AT ABOUT 300 ,450 AND 600 MILES PAST THE EVENT OF AUDI WORKING ON THE ERGT. ALL OF THESE EVENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND WHEN THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED ON TRIPS IN EXCESS OF 300 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11066133

Official recalls

23V086000 · Equipment:other:labels; Tires

Feb 15, 2023

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2009-2015 Q7 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct rear GAWR on top of the existing safety certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50G5.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:other:labels

Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct rear GAWR on top of the existing safety certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50G5.

Tires

Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

17V298000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 3, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.

14V516000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 26, 2014

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, to November 29, 2012 and equipped with a 3.0L TDI engine. In the affected vehicles, a check valve in the engine may become contaminated with plastic debris and allow engine oil to leak into the brake booster.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If oil leaks into the brake booster, the brake booster diaphragm may rupture causing a loss of power braking assist, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace a vacuum line, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the brake booster system for oil contamination and, if oil contamination is present, additional components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47L8.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling

Consequence: If oil leaks into the brake booster, the brake booster diaphragm may rupture causing a loss of power braking assist, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace a vacuum line, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the brake booster system for oil contamination and, if oil contamination is present, additional components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47L8.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Consequence: If oil leaks into the brake booster, the brake booster diaphragm may rupture causing a loss of power braking assist, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.