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.

7 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

60 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2024

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11567261

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2023

Engine

Cylinder 2 began to misfire at highway speeds. Diagnosed with a burnt exhaust valve in the engine. Possibly also due to the high oil consumption of greater than 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11562263

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2023

Engine

Engine mounts are leaking at 118,000 mi

NHTSA ODI #11560417

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2023

Engine

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We purchased a 2017 Q7 with low milage. At around 75k miles the engine started consuming oil every 1,200 miles, when previously it never required an oil change before the regularly scheduled service. The dealer always said "that is 'in spec'". This went on for over a year. Then, when we were driving cross-country for thanksgiving in 2022, the engine made a major concussive noise and we lost power while driving on the freeway at around 70mph. This almost caused a high speed collision. It was winter and we had the entire family in the car. we took it to the dealership, and the service tech recommended a compression test and borescope. No carbon build-up was found. Pressure was 'ok' in all cylinders. There were codes showing a fuel injector misfire, so the dealer recommended replacing all of them. The repair was done, but we've continued to have excessive oil consumption, the engine continues to run rough, and we occasionally get 'drive system malfunction' errors. When driving cross country in sub-freezing winter weather, last week, the engine lost power again. I stopped at the nearest Audi service center two hours later, and the tech found that the spark plugs had significant carbon fouling. Spark plugs were replaced. Engine continues to consume too much oil. Based on my research, it appears that this is a known issue, with several class action lawsuits. The Q7 does not appear to be part of these suits (yet), but there are posts and forums all over the internet with owners reporting this problem.

NHTSA ODI #11556955

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2023

Engine

Engine mounts are failing on Audi Q7's at high rates just out of warranty. This is resulting in costly repairs to owners at extremely low mileage. On mine the engine mounts were shot at 54k miles and results in clunking from the engine moving around and shifting issues in the transmission. Audi is aware of the issues and is c…

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NHTSA ODI #11554357

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2023

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

Start/Stop system malfunction. The vehicle gave me this warning and the vehicle almost stopped completely in the interstate while doing 65mph. The warning disappeared after couple of times of turning the car back on, but it appeared once again. It looks that their are many complaints and a class act lawsuit on Audi about this pr…

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NHTSA ODI #11552980

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2023

Engine

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Car issued an alert for Low Coolant, I checked next morning only to find that the coolant tank was empty. This warning could have alerted long back when the level fell below "Min" marker. Owners cannot notice this leak because the coolant doesn't drip on the floor. Took it to an independent service center who alerted me about this issue. I researched and noticed that there's been a lot of complaints on forums for 2017 Audi Q7 3.0 for coolant leak cause by the water pump, which always needs replacement. The replacement costs by AUDI are upwards of US $1300. This issue seems like a regular pattern and can cause an engine failure. AUDI should take responsibility and fix these cars.

NHTSA ODI #11523005

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2023

Engine

Vehicle was parked and went out to start it and coolent was all over ground under car. Water Pump blew on Audi with only 25,000 miles on it. Currently a class action on the Q7 3T stating the water pumps keep going out on new vehicles or vehicles with low mileage. Now the malfunction light will not go out and repair shop said its…

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NHTSA ODI #11512453

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2023

EngineUnknown Or Other

Engine coolant leak due requiring a water pump and thermostat replacement. Vehicle has 53,621 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11501774

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2023

Engine

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During a state inspection, the technician discovered that the water pump was damaged and was leaking coolant onto the engine. The coolant overflow was below minimum, but no low coolant lights appeared on the dash. The repair cost me $1200 out of pocket, and no assistance was offered as the vehicle is just out of warranty. This issue is commonly documented as highly prevalent in the 2017 Q7, among other models--poor design of the pump is resulting in premature failures. There was a class action law suit against other Audi models that is providing relief to consumers and extending warranty for this issue. With the number of failures being reported, please extend this support to Audi Q7!

NHTSA ODI #11501140

Official recalls

20V149000 · 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

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

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.

Air Bags:side/window

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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

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

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

Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.