Side marker light warning is illuminated even though light is working. Warning comes on when the lights come on.
2017 Audi Q7
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Q7 years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Audi Q7 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Q7 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 75 of 319 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
53 reportsYou have a safety recall #16V-642 for this model and the dealer did not put my vin# in the recall but yet my vehicle is saying the the left and right side marker lights are defective and the dealer will not correct it, instead they are trying to make me pay to replace the entire light harness for both head light assembly for $4,…
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You have a safety recall #16V-642 for this model and the dealer did not put my vin# in the recall but yet my vehicle is saying the the left and right side marker lights are defective and the dealer will not correct it, instead they are trying to make me pay to replace the entire light harness for both head light assembly for $4,000, my next stop is with a class action law suit to get this taken up. I am wondering how many people with these cars have paid to replace their lights when apparently it’s just a software update but you cannot get the dealers to do it because in their computers Audi did not enter all the vin numbers affected by this recall. I am asking for your help in this situation since you have the recall.
I was driving on the freeway at 60 MPH when pushing on the gas pedal, the Audi Q7 2017 started to de-accelerate from 60 - 30 and then went lower. The gas pedal then locked while still on a lane on the freeway and luckily I was able to quickly move to the shoulder of the freeway. From there my car proceeded to not start and kept…
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I was driving on the freeway at 60 MPH when pushing on the gas pedal, the Audi Q7 2017 started to de-accelerate from 60 - 30 and then went lower. The gas pedal then locked while still on a lane on the freeway and luckily I was able to quickly move to the shoulder of the freeway. From there my car proceeded to not start and kept flashing low battery, telling me to put it into drive. I could not put it into drive to start the car. There were NO WARNINGS as the car lost speed on the freeway and a mechanic has determined it is the fuel pump. This was a very scary incident as my two young children and dog were in the car and if I hadn't been able to move to the side quickly, we would have been stopped in the middle of a busy city freeway. Additionally, it took a tow truck two hours to reach us. I keep my car well maintained with service.
I purchased a used 2017 Audi Q7 Premium on 11/16/2023 from a Volkswagen. Since it showed the message "Brake pads: wear limit reached. You can continue driving. Please contact Service", the agreed to repair it. I didn't receive my vehicle until 2 weeks later. They said that the work was done but after driving it for a couple of d…
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I purchased a used 2017 Audi Q7 Premium on 11/16/2023 from a Volkswagen. Since it showed the message "Brake pads: wear limit reached. You can continue driving. Please contact Service", the agreed to repair it. I didn't receive my vehicle until 2 weeks later. They said that the work was done but after driving it for a couple of days the message is still showing. After driving it off the lot, minutes later I get a message "Front left side marker light defective. See owner's manual". After examining the side markers it doesn't look the neither side is out and there is no way showing on how to clear the message. I haven't taken it to an Audi dealership as of yet. But worried on if I made the right purchase.
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front marker light defective message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). The contact was informed th…
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The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front marker light defective message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). The contact was informed that the repair would not be covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle remained in the dealer's possession and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, a message regarding the exterior passenger’s side marker light was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Malfunction Sys…
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The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, a message regarding the exterior passenger’s side marker light was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Malfunction System. Contact Service" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown software needed to be updated; however, the dealer later informed the contact that the front passenger's side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Hi Hope this message finds you well. I am getting "Front right side marker light Defective, see owners Manual" with light bulb signal and I found a recall document "Safety Recall Code: 97CB" on NHTSA.gov which applies to my 2017 Audi Q7depite my marker light is working fine .. I called dealer and they say there are no recall…
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Hi Hope this message finds you well. I am getting "Front right side marker light Defective, see owners Manual" with light bulb signal and I found a recall document "Safety Recall Code: 97CB" on NHTSA.gov which applies to my 2017 Audi Q7depite my marker light is working fine .. I called dealer and they say there are no recalls on my VIN. This is known issue, has many forums has discussion threads. Please help me on How I can get issue fixed by Audi Service team. Regards Siva
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side front side marker inoperable was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 …
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The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side front side marker inoperable was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,590.
When driving into a dimly lit area the car rings and displays the message front left side marker defective. The warning stays on for some time and then goes away before returning again. This continued for a few weeks. The car then experienced a full electrical system malfunction, doors unlocking and locking randomly while drivi…
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When driving into a dimly lit area the car rings and displays the message front left side marker defective. The warning stays on for some time and then goes away before returning again. This continued for a few weeks. The car then experienced a full electrical system malfunction, doors unlocking and locking randomly while driving before dinging repeatedly with multiple warnings displayed in the dash and then stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle would not shift into park. Multiple warnings continued to ding and flash in the dash. After being turned off for 20 minutes the car was able to be started shifted into Drive and driven with no warnings displayed. The car was taken to the dealership for diagnostics which were performed, but with no electrical system malfunction displayed. The left side marker warning was still on, but the dealer said there was no fix for this. The following month the car was taken for 60,000 mile service. At this time the dealer advised the fix for left side market was replacing the entire headlamp fixture. The service was declined. When the vehicle left the dealer the cruise control was on and would not turn off. After turning off the car and turning it back on the cruise control was off. After driving a short distance the speed control warning dinged and displayed and the cruise control was back on. The orange engine light was also displayed although there was no written warning for this.
I have a 2017 Audi Q7. There is a recall for the problem I am having but my VIN is not included and Audi cannot do the repair unless my VIN is included. The recall is 97CB. When my auto lights option is turned on, at completely random times, I get warning light that states: FRONT LEFT SIDE MARKER LIGHT DEFECTIVE SEE OWNERS MANUA…
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I have a 2017 Audi Q7. There is a recall for the problem I am having but my VIN is not included and Audi cannot do the repair unless my VIN is included. The recall is 97CB. When my auto lights option is turned on, at completely random times, I get warning light that states: FRONT LEFT SIDE MARKER LIGHT DEFECTIVE SEE OWNERS MANUAL. The lights are functional and working (as verified by dealer in 2019) but there is some software glitch and Audi can't fix it because my VIN isn't part of the recall. It is startling when the sensor alert goes off. How do I get my vin added to recall 97CB? Thank you
Official recalls
720V149000 · Steering
Mar 16, 2020
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8 and 2017-2019 Audi Q7 vehicles. The bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1.
19V035000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
Jan 16, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
16V955000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:side/window; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Dec 29, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
16V648000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Sep 8, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured November 11, 2015, to November 23, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist control unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M5.
16V641000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
Sep 6, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to July 10, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the third row seat back may move forward under load, such as in a frontal collision. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the third row seat does not remain in its adjusted position, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional support bracket to the seat, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F8.
16V642000 · Electrical System:software; Exterior Lighting
Sep 6, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Electrical System:software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
16V519000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Jul 8, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to May 8, 2016. Due to a software issue within the air bag control module, the frontal air bags may deploy with more force than required in certain crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Air bags that deploy with excessive force may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O3.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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