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2018 Audi Q7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Q7 years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Audi Q7 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 33 of 142 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.

  • Engine. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 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 reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2022
Engine

Engine coolant leak reported only at around 30K miles. Leak detected and fixed at owners cost.

NHTSA ODI #11498300

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2022
Engine

At approx 56,600 miles I received a low engine coolant error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, all engine coolant was gone from the tank. Engine coolant was refilled by me at home. The next day, I received a low oil error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, the oil was below the minimum level. 1 quart of oil was added to my vehicle an…

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At approx 56,600 miles I received a low engine coolant error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, all engine coolant was gone from the tank. Engine coolant was refilled by me at home. The next day, I received a low oil error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, the oil was below the minimum level. 1 quart of oil was added to my vehicle and we promptly took the vehicle in for inspection as this did not seem like a coincidence. Upon inspection at Motor City Euro Repair, it was noted that the water pump was leaking causing the engine coolant and oil levels to decrease. Water pump replacement required, which should typically not be a required repair until 100,000 miles. Audi is aware of this issue, but no recall has been made. There is also a class action lawsuit for this issue, but the 2018 Q7 Prestige 3.0 is not part of the vehicles in the suit. Total cost of repair was $1,375 as the vehicle is 6,600 miles out of warranty. Again, this is a know Volkswagen/Audi issue and Audi US is not recalling.

NHTSA ODI #11480007

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineLane Departure

1.Interior color light bars: These light bars developed inconsistency. Audi repaired the inconsistency however now the light bars only display pink (not white) during start up. The dealership tried telling me it’s not pink, then claims to be color blind. I have artiest friends who maintain the color is pink. 2.Engine sta…

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1.Interior color light bars: These light bars developed inconsistency. Audi repaired the inconsistency however now the light bars only display pink (not white) during start up. The dealership tried telling me it’s not pink, then claims to be color blind. I have artiest friends who maintain the color is pink. 2.Engine start-stop: Dealership confirms the Q7 will shut down as part of the start-stop feature before the vehicle has stopped. I explained to the dealership that the Q7 speedo claims moving 1 to 2 mph faster than it is moving. Therefore, during slow speed braking, stop sign, the Q7 will shut down before it stops moving. Without the engine on, the Q7 will lurch to a stop or and forcing the transmission to turn. 3. Low oil light comes on between oil changes sometimes.

NHTSA ODI #11470061

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2022
Engine

Water pump stopped working properly, creating hazardous situation with my car. Had the car overheated and stopped working while driving, this could have been catastrophic. The only symptom was loss of coolant and resulting warning message from the car. I took it to an independent service center, who diagnosed the problem and r…

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Water pump stopped working properly, creating hazardous situation with my car. Had the car overheated and stopped working while driving, this could have been catastrophic. The only symptom was loss of coolant and resulting warning message from the car. I took it to an independent service center, who diagnosed the problem and replaced at my own expense of $961.07.

NHTSA ODI #11457898

20,000 miles · Apr 6, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

AT TIMES, THE "STOP-START" SYSTEM SEEMS TO FALTER WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED TO ALMOST A FULL STOP, BUT NOT QUITE. IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE I GET A FEW SECONDS WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS. I FEEL THAT IT IS EITHER A TRANSMISSION CAUGHT BETWEEN SHIFTS OR AN ENGINE FALTER. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD THAT "THAT'S HO…

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AT TIMES, THE "STOP-START" SYSTEM SEEMS TO FALTER WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED TO ALMOST A FULL STOP, BUT NOT QUITE. IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE I GET A FEW SECONDS WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS. I FEEL THAT IT IS EITHER A TRANSMISSION CAUGHT BETWEEN SHIFTS OR AN ENGINE FALTER. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD THAT "THAT'S HOW IT IS".

NHTSA ODI #11406681

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

KEPT LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH THAT ADD 1 QT OF OIL FOR 6 TIMES. BEFORE THIS LIGHT APPEARS, CAR ALWAYS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE IM DRIVING OR PARKED. LAST SATURADAY 1/11, MY CAR WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND SO LOUD AFTER CAR STOPPED BUT CANNOT CHANGE ANY GEARS FOR FEW SECONDS. I'M SO FRUSTRATED AND SCARED…

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KEPT LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH THAT ADD 1 QT OF OIL FOR 6 TIMES. BEFORE THIS LIGHT APPEARS, CAR ALWAYS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE IM DRIVING OR PARKED. LAST SATURADAY 1/11, MY CAR WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND SO LOUD AFTER CAR STOPPED BUT CANNOT CHANGE ANY GEARS FOR FEW SECONDS. I'M SO FRUSTRATED AND SCARED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. I WENT TO AUDI SERVICE BUT THEY DON'T FOUND ANY PROBLEMS AND REFILLED OIL AGAIN. IN MY 6 TIMES OF THIS EXPERIENCE, LIGHT WILL BE APPEARED AND CAR WILL BE STOPPED WHILE OPERATING AGAIN. MUST BE FIXED THIS MATTER BY AUDI

NHTSA ODI #11299630

14,000 miles · Apr 26, 2019
Engine

OUR Q7 3.0T PRESTIGE ENGINE BLEW WHILE DRIVING AND LEFT US STRANDED ON A COUNTRY ROAD AT 12:45 IN THE MORNING. THEN TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, AFTER FIGHTING WITH AUDI CARE FOR THE LAST MONTH THEY ONLY AGREED TO REIMBURSE US $200 OUT OF A $525 TOW BILL BECAUSE WE DIDN'T CALL THEM TO SCHEDULE THE TOW. WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT SERVI…

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OUR Q7 3.0T PRESTIGE ENGINE BLEW WHILE DRIVING AND LEFT US STRANDED ON A COUNTRY ROAD AT 12:45 IN THE MORNING. THEN TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, AFTER FIGHTING WITH AUDI CARE FOR THE LAST MONTH THEY ONLY AGREED TO REIMBURSE US $200 OUT OF A $525 TOW BILL BECAUSE WE DIDN'T CALL THEM TO SCHEDULE THE TOW. WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT SERVICE EXISTED AND AT 12:45 AM WITH A CAR THAT JUST DIED AND WAS IN THE ROAD, WE JUST WANTED TO CONTACT THE CLOSEST PLACE AND GET OUR CAR OFF THE ROAD AS WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT OUR SAFETY AND GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11203914

11,000 miles · May 15, 2018
Engine

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CROSSOVER A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND TRYING TO DETERMINE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MYSELF, THE 2018 AUDI Q7, HAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS IT ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE JUST WOULD START A SLOW ACCELERATION BUT WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING AT ITS H…

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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CROSSOVER A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND TRYING TO DETERMINE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MYSELF, THE 2018 AUDI Q7, HAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS IT ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE JUST WOULD START A SLOW ACCELERATION BUT WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING AT ITS HIGHER ACCELERATION. THIS CAUSING THE ONCOMING VEHICLES NEARLY HITTING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP AND SAID THAT IS NORMAL. I VALIDATED THE OPERATION, WHEN THEY LET ME TEST A NEW AUDI Q7, AND HAD SIMILAR OR WORSE SYMPTOMS. THEIR ONLY WORK AROUND IS TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE INTO "SPORT" MODE. THAT MODE HELPS WITH THE RESPONSE. BASICALLY IF, I STEP ON THE GAS PEDDLE, I SHOULD EXPECT IT TO DRIVE AND BE RESPONSIVE AND NOT HESITATE. HAVING THAT HESITATION, MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHEN ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI #11093960

Official recalls

3

20V658000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Oct 27, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.