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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

Steering complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2025
Steering

While driving on I-90 in January 2025, the steering wheel malfunctioned causing loss of control of the car. The warning message came on the dashboard to immediately stop driving. Was able to pull off to the shoulder, turn the vehicle off, and call AAA for assistance. They towed the car to a repair shop.

NHTSA ODI #11697260

64,851 miles · Sep 23, 2024
Steering

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front and rear wheels struck the curb causing the vehicle to spin out. The contact was able to regain control o…

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The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front and rear wheels struck the curb causing the vehicle to spin out. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was brought to a stop and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack had failed due to a loss of communication with the steering module. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,851.

NHTSA ODI #11615905

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2024
Steering

There is rapid pecking noise / vibration when traveling during all right directional curves in the road. When I head in to a slight curve where the steering wheel only needs to be moved a few degrees to the right, the noise is such that I can feel it around the firewall and footwell of both driver and passenger side not to ment…

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There is rapid pecking noise / vibration when traveling during all right directional curves in the road. When I head in to a slight curve where the steering wheel only needs to be moved a few degrees to the right, the noise is such that I can feel it around the firewall and footwell of both driver and passenger side not to mention it is very loud and annoying. I notified Bill Jacobs BMW along with the brakes squealing while backing up) where I bought the vehicle and they said to take it to an Audi dealer. I went to Audi of Lexington KY and they were wanting to charge me over 8K to replace the exhaust. I did have the exhaust replaced and new front brakes completely replaced and the issue for both are still present. Very disappointed since I found TWO TSB's relating to my vehicle after paying so much for the work. There is a TSB for the Exhaust downpipe and mounts as well as a TSB for squealing brakes. Being told, all German cars have squeaky brakes is BS.

NHTSA ODI #11614466

60,328 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE INDICATING 'STEERING MALFUNCTION PLEASE VEHICLE' ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE MESSAGE WAS STILL DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT A PARKING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE INDICATING 'STEERING MALFUNCTION PLEASE VEHICLE' ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE MESSAGE WAS STILL DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT A PARKING LOT OVER NIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD THE MANUFACTURER TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER BELL AUDI (782 US-1, EDISON, NJ 08817) WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM ISSUE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,328.

NHTSA ODI #11399010

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2020
SteeringWheels

PURCHASED A NEW 2018 AUDI Q7 LATE JUNE 2018 WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE ALL SEASON TIRES (285/45R20). AFTER ABOUT 24,000 MILES, NOTICE STEERING WAS DRIFTING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ROAD IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THEN NOTICE BOTH FRONT TIRES STARTED TO "CHUNK" ON OUTER EDGES OF TIRE. REAR TIRES ARE STILL IN…

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PURCHASED A NEW 2018 AUDI Q7 LATE JUNE 2018 WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE ALL SEASON TIRES (285/45R20). AFTER ABOUT 24,000 MILES, NOTICE STEERING WAS DRIFTING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ROAD IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THEN NOTICE BOTH FRONT TIRES STARTED TO "CHUNK" ON OUTER EDGES OF TIRE. REAR TIRES ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE AND WEARING EVENLY AT 7/32 TREAD DEPTH. DEALER AT FREMONT, CA ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WILL NOT REPLACE TIRES AFTER 12,000 MILES. PER DEALER REPORT, LF AND RF ARE "5+ CUPPING". DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED TO CALL GOODYEAR. CALL GOODYEAR TOLL FREE NUMBER TO FILE A WARRANTY CLAIM. GOODYEAR ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AUDI IS AWARE THIS IS AN ISSUE ON VEHICLE AND PROVIDED A WARRANTY CLAIM NUMBER. VERY SURPRISED BOTH GOODYEAR AND AUDI ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT BUT DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE TIRES UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY ESPECIALLY SINCE CAR IS DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DRIFTING COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND POTENTIALLY CREATE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11296785

3,000 miles · Nov 1, 2018
Service BrakesSteering

THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED SINCE 3K MILES. NO MATTER THE WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IS NORMAL, BUT I AM RESEARCHING OTHERWISE. AT 5AM LEAVING THE HOME, THE BRAKES SQUEAL, AT 2PM SQUEALING, 5PM SQUEALING, MIDNIGHT SQUEALING. FOR BEING A LUXURY VEHICLE I LOVE AND TRUST, THIS MAKES ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS AND …

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THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED SINCE 3K MILES. NO MATTER THE WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IS NORMAL, BUT I AM RESEARCHING OTHERWISE. AT 5AM LEAVING THE HOME, THE BRAKES SQUEAL, AT 2PM SQUEALING, 5PM SQUEALING, MIDNIGHT SQUEALING. FOR BEING A LUXURY VEHICLE I LOVE AND TRUST, THIS MAKES ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS AND EMBARRASSED WHEN NEIGHBORS ARE OUT AND HEAR THIS SQUEALING. THE BRAKE FOOT PEDAL DOES NOT GLIDE WHEN BEING USED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOCKING MOTION WHEN BEING USED ON TURNS.

NHTSA ODI #11144662

100 miles · Jul 3, 2018
Steering

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE DRIVER SEAT; THE CENTER OF THE SEAT IS ABOUT 1" (ONE INCH) TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA ODI #11105268

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.