IllustrationBrakes were firmly applied to avoid a collision, the 3rd row seatbelt did not engage and the passenger was thrust forward and hit their head on the 2nd row seat. Took the vehicle to Audi for inspection and they found the locking mechanism on the belt was faulty and replaced it.
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 →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: 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
Seat Belts complaints
4 reportsThe contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the seat belt on the passenger’s side the second row started to make a clicking sound and tightened independently around the contact's son. The contact’s son reported that he felt pressure on his chest and shoulder as the seat belt tightened …
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The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the seat belt on the passenger’s side the second row started to make a clicking sound and tightened independently around the contact's son. The contact’s son reported that he felt pressure on his chest and shoulder as the seat belt tightened but was not injured. The contact stated that the seat belt failure had become a constant issue and had stopped using the seat belt. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V606000 (Seat Belts). The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
STATIONARY VEHICLE: FOR THE LAST 3-4 WEEK THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WANT TO FASTEN. I HAVE TO REALLY WORK WITH IT TO FASTEN. ALSO ,IT IS DIFFICULTY TO UN-FASTEN ONCE IT IS FASTENED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IS GETTING HUNG MORE FREQUENTLY. I ASK THE AUDI DEALER IN MELBOURNE TO CHECK THE SEAT BELT ABOUT 5- MONTHS AGO. THEY S…
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STATIONARY VEHICLE: FOR THE LAST 3-4 WEEK THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WANT TO FASTEN. I HAVE TO REALLY WORK WITH IT TO FASTEN. ALSO ,IT IS DIFFICULTY TO UN-FASTEN ONCE IT IS FASTENED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IS GETTING HUNG MORE FREQUENTLY. I ASK THE AUDI DEALER IN MELBOURNE TO CHECK THE SEAT BELT ABOUT 5- MONTHS AGO. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT. BUT TO ME THIS IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM.
WHEN COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP TO PREVENT A COLLISION THE MIDDLE ROW PASSENGER SEATBELT CAME UNBUCKLED. MY 2.5 YEAR OLD IS IN A FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT BUCKLED INTO THIS SEAT. THE BUCKLE CAME LOSE CAUSING THE SEAT THE BE FREE.
Official recalls
320V658000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.