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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.

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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

Service Brakes complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 21, 2025
Exterior LightingService Brakes

"front left" or "front right" "side marker light defective" message Rear brakes loud squeal when reversing.

NHTSA ODI #11662451

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2024
Exterior LightingService Brakes

Error code for right front side marker light faulty. Light seems to be working. I've had two mechanics look at the car. They can't figure out what's wrong. Error message appears randomly. Brakes are very squeaky. I took the car to Audi and they said it was normal and I should brake more aggressively.

NHTSA ODI #11630208

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2024
EngineService Brakes

Engine Malfunction Piston Rings Oil Consumption Loud brakes

NHTSA ODI #11582131

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2022
Service Brakes

I recently purchased a CPO 2018 Audi Q7, and shortly after purchase, I encountered the problem indicated in this TSB about break squeal (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153128-9999.pdf) I contacted the dealer (Audi North Austin, located at 12971 Pond Springs Road, Austin, TX 78729) to fix this problem, but was refus…

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I recently purchased a CPO 2018 Audi Q7, and shortly after purchase, I encountered the problem indicated in this TSB about break squeal (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153128-9999.pdf) I contacted the dealer (Audi North Austin, located at 12971 Pond Springs Road, Austin, TX 78729) to fix this problem, but was refused because my car does not meet the criteria specified in the TSB, namely 24 Months / 24,000 Miles (my car has 27,700 Miles). In doing so, I found another TSB (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153129-9999.pdf) with the same problem as in my car. And it has different criteria, namely 48 Months/50,000 Mile. In this regard, I would like to ask why there are different criteria for the same problem? Why are 2017 Audi Q7 models has 48 Months/50,000 Miles to fix this problem, but 2018 Audi Q7 only 24 Months/24,000 Miles ?

NHTSA ODI #11448999

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

Icy road, pulling up to stop sign, at 5-8 MPH , had just pulled out of parking space, touched brakes to slow down, brakes locked up, tried to pump to release brakes with no response, car stopped brakes released.

NHTSA ODI #11445258

20,000 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Service Brakes

LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ON REVERSE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. ADVISED AUDI DEALERSHIP AT ROCHERST HILLS, MI FOR THE ISSUE WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THEN 2 YEARS OLD AND WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT, BUT SERVICE ADVISER SAID THERE WAS NO BULLETIN TSB, SERVICE CAMPAIG OR RECALL FOR THE THE ISSUE. I SHOULD PAY OUT OF MY POC…

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LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ON REVERSE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. ADVISED AUDI DEALERSHIP AT ROCHERST HILLS, MI FOR THE ISSUE WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THEN 2 YEARS OLD AND WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT, BUT SERVICE ADVISER SAID THERE WAS NO BULLETIN TSB, SERVICE CAMPAIG OR RECALL FOR THE THE ISSUE. I SHOULD PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR THE SERVICE. AFTER SPEAKING TO AN AUDI REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTLY, I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR THE CAR AND MY CAR IT SHOULD BE SERVICED. WHEN CONTACTED THE SAME DEALERSHIP I WAS ADVISED THAT I WAS OUT OF 24,000 MILES (BY 1,000 MILES) OR 2 YEARS WARRANTY (OUT 4 MONTHS) AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE OTHER ADVISED TOLD ME THERE IS NO COVERAGE AVAILABLE, WHEN MY CAR WAS UNDER COVERAGE LIMITS, THEN THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE ADVISER DOS NOT WORK WITH THEM ANYMORE. I OPENED A COMPLAIN WITH AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTER 2 WEEKS, AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT I NEED TO REPLACE ROTOR AND PADS DUE TO DUST'.. AUDI COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AS THEY HAVE A RELATIOSHIP WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AS PER CUSTOMER SERVICE REPERSENTATIVE. THE SQUEAING IS VERY, VERY LOUD, MY 3 KIDS AND PEOPLE AROUND GET SCARED OR WONDERING WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN I PRESS BRAKES WHILE ON REVERSE. NEITHER AUDI USA OR AUDI ROCHERSTER HILLS, MI CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETYBUT JUST OUR MONEY.

NHTSA ODI #11377373

28,000 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Service Brakes

FRONT BRAKES HAVE ISSUES FROM THE BEGINNING WITH BRAND NEW TIRES FROM THE DEALER. DEALER CHANGED ALL TIRES WITH BRAND NEW TIRES AGAIN AND BRAKE PADS FOR FRONT BRAKES SIX MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHEN I PUSH BRAKE. VEHICLE IS NOW WITH THE DEALER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT. THIS IS NOT AT ALL ACCEPTABLE BEING A $80K …

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FRONT BRAKES HAVE ISSUES FROM THE BEGINNING WITH BRAND NEW TIRES FROM THE DEALER. DEALER CHANGED ALL TIRES WITH BRAND NEW TIRES AGAIN AND BRAKE PADS FOR FRONT BRAKES SIX MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHEN I PUSH BRAKE. VEHICLE IS NOW WITH THE DEALER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT. THIS IS NOT AT ALL ACCEPTABLE BEING A $80K VEHICLE. AUDI SHOULD DISCONTINUE THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND REFUND THE MONEY. THIS IS ALSO A ROAD HAZARD AND RISKY ISSUE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11376709

26,000 miles · Dec 9, 2019
Service Brakes

LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP COMING FROM BRAKES. NOISE IS ALARMING AND CAUSES ONE TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE, AND NOISE DRAMATICALLY ALARMS THOSE AROUND AND IN VEHICLE. 2018 AUDI Q7 WITH 26K MILES. DEALER DID NOT ADVISE OF TSB ADVISING SELF...ONLY AWARE AFTER CALLING AUDI DIRECTLY. DEALER SERVICE ADVISED BRAKE AND ROTOR RE…

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LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP COMING FROM BRAKES. NOISE IS ALARMING AND CAUSES ONE TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE, AND NOISE DRAMATICALLY ALARMS THOSE AROUND AND IN VEHICLE. 2018 AUDI Q7 WITH 26K MILES. DEALER DID NOT ADVISE OF TSB ADVISING SELF...ONLY AWARE AFTER CALLING AUDI DIRECTLY. DEALER SERVICE ADVISED BRAKE AND ROTOR REPLACEMENT IF PROBLEM CONTINUES. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS PROBLEM EXISTED SINCE 2016 Q7 MODEL. AUDI NEVER INFORMED US DIRECTLY AND DEALER SERVICE DID NOT INFORM US...WE NEEDED TO CALL AND OR INFORM BOTH BEFORE BEING ADVISED OF TSB. NHTSA CALLED AND INFORMED SELF OF AUDI'S DECISION TO NOT DO RECALL AND ONLY ISSUE TSB. WHERE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVISING VEHICLE OWNERS OF SUCH PROBLEMS.... DEALER SERVICE REP DID NOT ADVISE OF TSB INITIALLY...OWNER ADVISED TO REPAIR AND ABSORB COST. ONCE TSB DISCUSS BY OWNER, ARRANGEMENT WAS MADE FOR COST SHARING.

NHTSA ODI #11287969

15,000 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes

AUDI HAS A PRE SENSE FEATURE THAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY SLAM ON THE BRAKES. IT FAILS CONSTANTLY AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES AT VARIOUS TIMES. SO FAR IT HAS BEEN AT SLOW SPEEDS, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS FEATURE. THERE IS NO WAY TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN IT OFF, AND IT TURNS ON EVERY TIME YOU RESTART THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11193369

12,000 miles · Jan 15, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesWheelsCrash

I WAS TAKING A U-TURN UNDER A FREEWAY IN MY 10 MONTH OLD AUDI Q7. AS I WAS FINISHING THE U-TURN A STABILIZATION ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT. I WAS FINISHING MY UTURN AND COULDN'T SLOW DOWN SOI ENDED UP RUNNING INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER WITH MY RIGHT BACK WHEEL AND WENT ONTO THE FEEDER. LUCKILY IT WAS AT 5AM SO…

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I WAS TAKING A U-TURN UNDER A FREEWAY IN MY 10 MONTH OLD AUDI Q7. AS I WAS FINISHING THE U-TURN A STABILIZATION ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT. I WAS FINISHING MY UTURN AND COULDN'T SLOW DOWN SOI ENDED UP RUNNING INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER WITH MY RIGHT BACK WHEEL AND WENT ONTO THE FEEDER. LUCKILY IT WAS AT 5AM SO NO OTHER CARS WERE ON THE ROAD. HITTING THE BARRIER SLOWED BY CAR DOWN TO 5 MPH. AS I STRAIGHTENED OUT MY CAR, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID AUDI OF AMERICA HAD TO LOOK AT IT. THE ENGINEER FINALLY CAME TO LOOK AT IT ON JAN 3RD (3 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT). HE SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T TEST DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN BUT THE TESTS THEY RAN SHOWED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE. I ASKED HOW THEY KNEW NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THEY SAID TESTS WERE RUN. I ASKED HOW THEY EXPLAINED THE ERROR MESSAGES (STABILIZATION ERROR AND SAFETY ERROR). THEY SAID THOSE CAME UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEY DON'T THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SO HOW DO THEY KNOW THIS?. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE ERROR MESSAGES AND KNOW THE TIMING OF THAT. I ASKED FOR A PRINT OUT OF THEIR FINDINGS 3 TIMES. IT HAS BEEN 10 DAYS AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANYTHING FROM THEM. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11170252

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.