Audi Q7 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.

51
Total Recalls
661
Total Complaints
31
Total Crashes
34
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths
2017
Worst Year
2026
Best Year
0
Poor
Overall Reliability Score (0–100)
Accelerating +100%
Complaint Trend
13 last 24mo vs 0 prior 24mo
Mar & Dec
Peak Complaint Months
54% of complaints in these months

Own a Audi Q7? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Audi Q7 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison

YearVerdictRecallsComplaintsCrashesInjuriesDeathsTop Issue
2026BestExcellent1Full report →
2025Excellent212Forward Collision AvoidanceFull report →
2024Excellent3Full report →
2023Good3191EngineFull report →
2022Excellent212EngineFull report →
2021Caution66432Electrical SystemFull report →
2020Good314Electrical SystemFull report →
2019Good2356Electrical SystemFull report →
2018Caution1821EngineFull report →
2017WorstAvoid5179813Exterior LightingFull report →
2016Excellent11Seat BeltsFull report →
2015Good12911EngineFull report →
2014Good12414Fuel/Propulsion SystemFull report →
2013Good2183EngineFull report →
2012Good4283Fuel/Propulsion SystemFull report →
2011Good41115Fuel/Propulsion SystemFull report →
2010Good318Fuel System / DieselFull report →
2009Good3162Fuel/Propulsion SystemFull report →
2008Good2263Fuel/Propulsion SystemFull report →
2007Caution27325Electrical SystemFull report →

20 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.

Most Common Audi Q7 Problems

Electrical System
100
Engine
93
Exterior Lighting
70
Fuel/Propulsion System
67
Unknown Or Other
52
Steering
29
Suspension
26
Power Train
25
Service Brakes
21
Visibility/Wiper
19
Vehicle Speed Control
17
Air Bags
16

Based on 661 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.

Recent Safety Recalls — Audi Q7 (20222026)

#21V8250002022
20/10/2021
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.

#22V8060002022
26/10/2022
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

#25V9000002022
19/12/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.

#23V8680002023
20/12/2023
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GA.

#25V7770002025
12/11/2025
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Audi RS Q8, Audi Q8, Audi Q7, and Audi SQ8 vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle to the seat belt stalk.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 692K. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 14, 2025.

#24V2510002023
03/04/2024
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.

Showing 6 recalls from 20222026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.

Recent Owner Complaints

Direct reports filed with NHTSA by Audi Q7 owners — 20222026 model years.

Electrical System /Vehicle Speed Control /Forward Collision Avoidance03/23/2026

WHile trying to park 2025 Q7 the vehicle accelerated without warning and adaptive cruise flashed quickly then disappeared. I was the driver and had a passanger along. THis incedent repeated itself within 30 mins. I am not comfortable driving the car..

Unknown Or Other03/17/2026

Start/Stop button will not start the engine at times. May take several attempts before engine will start. Had to have Audi Roadside Assist come to my location to get the vehicle car started. Drove vehicle to nearest dealer with the "engine light" illuminated. Was advised that Audi has a software update that needs to be installed. Update was supposed to drop by week 10 of 2026 but it is still not available as of week 12. Audi and the dealer cannot provide a resolution after vehicle has been in shop for 3 weeks. Was told that I could pick up the car since they did not see it as a safety issue, but if the vehicle if often unable to start why would one trust driving it?

Electrical System /Forward Collision Avoidance03/14/2026

I own a 2025 Audi Q7 and have experienced repeated malfunctions related to the vehicle’s driver assistance and safety systems. The vehicle frequently displays warnings such as “Driving Assist Not Available” and other safety system errors. These issues started while the vehicle was still relatively new and have continued intermittently. The warnings appear while driving and indicate that important driver assistance systems are not functioning properly. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership multiple times for inspection. However, the dealership often reported that they could not duplicate the problem or that no fault codes were found. Despite this, the warnings continue to appear and the problem remains unresolved. Because these systems are related to safety features such as emergency braking and driver assistance, I am concerned that the malfunction could create a dangerous driving situation. The vehicle has multiple documented service visits and I also have video evidence showing the warnings when they occur. I am reporting this issue because the malfunction involves critical safety systems and has not been properly resolved by the dealership.

Service Brakes12/31/2025

New Audi Q7 only 1,392 miles driven, front brake failed, Audi NOT willing to remedy under warranty claiming unsubstantiated brakes overheated due to excessive braking ? Clearly manufacturer fault and serious safety hazard - no support from Audi Grapevine

Forward Collision Avoidance11/17/2025

The vehicle has adaptive cruise control with something called "predictive control." The occurrence happened on I-40 in New Mexico with a 75mph speed limit. I went to pass a semi and a pickup truck followed me into the passing lane. Both lanes were clear ahead for at least a tenth of a mile. As I got to the front of the semi, we reached an exit off the right lane. The Q7 slammed on the brakes - not slowed down, it literally slammed on the brakes. Luckily I reacted to hit the gas pedal to override the cruise control and the pickup truck driver reacted by slamming on his brakes. But a simple pass could have resulted in a disastrous accident solely because of the vehicle. I had some of these issues earlier in my trip, but not to the degree of the above incident. It was most common when passing near any intersection, including exit ramps and emergency vehicle cross-overs. An intersection icon showed up and the vehicle slowed down - sometimes gently, sometimes more forcefully. It appears to be operating within its design parameters. I reported the issue to the dealer, but I am currently across the country. I am awaiting a response. I found the settings to turn off predictive control and am testing the system to see if this works. But if the system is operating as designed, there appears to be a flaw if predictive control is active.

Electrical System /Lane Departure09/23/2025

The contact owns a 2025 Audi Q7. The contact stated that the Lane Departure: Lane Keep Assist unintendedly engaged. While driving 40-70 MPH and attempting to switch lanes, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that the Lane Departure: Lane Keep Assist was turned off. The Lane Departure: Lane Keep Assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer on two occasions, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. The system was reset, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Power Train /Unknown Or Other /Visibility/Wiper09/02/2025

I am filing a formal complaint regarding serious safety-related defects in a newly purchased Audi vehicle. Immediately upon delivery, the car presented: • A faulty solenoid, a critical engine component, creating risks of engine misfires, sudden stalling, loss of acceleration, and transmission malfunctions while driving. Such failures pose imminent hazards during the cross-country travel that military families like mine regularly undertake. • Defective windshield wipers from the outset, jeopardizing visibility and safety during inclement weather. These defects demonstrate systemic quality control failures by Audi, undermining the safety expectations owed to U.S. consumers. Requested Action I urge NHTSA to: 1. Investigate Audi for potential violations of federal motor vehicle safety standards. 2. Evaluate whether a recall is warranted, as this appears not to be an isolated case. 3. Hold Audi accountable for delivering vehicles with concealed or unaddressed safety defects. As a U.S. military officer, I cannot risk the safety of my family in a vehicle plagued by such defects. American families deserve full confidence that new vehicles meet uncompromising safety standards.

Lane Departure05/06/2025

The system keeps turning itself on after I knowingly turn it off. I have seen that other customers have complained for the same reason. I have owned the car since 1/30/25, it has turned itself on average 1-2x per week since owning the car. There are a myriad of other software issues with the car that Audi refuses to fix. When it comes back on, if I do not immediately notice, making any lane change becomes very dangerous, or particularly in a panic situation, the steering wheel is jerked so hard by the car that it is not a safe system to have turned on.

Lane Departure03/04/2025

Purchased my new 2025 Audi Q7 on 11/23/2024. About a week later, I discovered that after I permanently turned OFF the Lane Departure Warning/Alert, it came back on unexpectedly and nearly caused me to overcorrect during a lane change and nearly caused me to hit an oncoming vehicle. This problem has been recurring at random intervals over the last 3 months of approximately 3 to 10 key cycles with the same safety issues. I've advised the dealership & Audi of the problem and they have refused to do anything since they say it is a 'software problem' and hope to have a 'fix' in Q2 or Q3. I understand that this issue has been ongoing for the last 2 or 3 years on Audi new cars and a software fix has been 'in the works' since then.

Forward Collision Avoidance12/26/2024

Often brakes abruptly. the first time the car was set at 60mph adaptive cruise control when the car abruptly braked to almost a stop on a divided four lane hwy. I reported incidents to Audi Cary & put my car in for service. they did not find diagnostic conclusion. after picking up my car the problem continues.While on Adaptive cruise control set at 62 mph abruptly decelerates to 17, forcing driver to pull into right turn lane. Again on same afternoon car braked abruptly with another car following closely behind, the driver accelerated, there was a pause where braking stopped but car did not accelerate, then the car accelerated avoiding being hit from behind. The last two incidents I immediately call Audi Cary to report the problem. I now journal all episodes of malfunction.

Back Over Prevention12/06/2024

I leased a brand new 2025 Q7 at the beginning of June 2024. Two weeks into the lease i was attempting to back my car out of a parking spot at work, during a rainstorm, and the vehicle applied the brakes, grinding me to a sudden halt. It thought the rain was an obstacle. I tried several times to back out of the parking space and each time the car, without any other warning, slammed on the brakes. I called my salesperson who requested I contact the service center, who requested that I bring the vehicle in to be looked at. I was told that the vehicle should not be acting that way. After having the vehicle for 24 hours they called me to say there were no malfunctions or errors recorded in the system and I could come get the car. They told me that they were not able to "simulate rain" to test the issue adequately. A couple of weeks later it happened again. This time I was attempting to leave my garage, again in the rain, and I could not do so. The vehicle continued to halt each time I tried to back up. The car went back to the service center who had it for a full week, from 7/23/24 - 7/30/24, just to tell me that the issue I am referring to is actually "normal behavior and is a feature of the car" and they said that it could be turned off. This issue continued to occur and so I was provided a loaner vehicle while they were investigating what was occurring with mine. This report is related to that loaner vehicle as it has the same issue as my leased vehicle. Neither 2025 Q7 will backup in the rain and will slam on the brakes if you attempt to do so. The dealer continues to claim this is normal and I was told the issue was mine and there was nothing the dealer can or will do. I am reporting this vehicle as having an issue due to the severe safety concerns surrounding this issue with these vehicles. It is not being taken seriously by Audi and this is very concerning.

Back Over Prevention11/25/2024

I leased a brand new 2025 Q7 at the beginning of June 2024. Two weeks into the lease i was attempting to back my car out of a parking spot at work, during a rainstorm, and the vehicle applied the brakes, grinding me to a sudden halt. It thought the rain was an obstacle. I tried several times to back out of the parking space and each time the car, without any other warning, slammed on the brakes. I called my salesperson who requested I contact the service center, who requested that I bring the vehicle in to be looked at. I was told that the vehicle should not be acting that way. After having the vehicle for 24 hours they called me to say there were no malfunctions or errors recorded in the system and I could come get the car. They told me that they were not able to "simulate rain" to test the issue adequately. A couple of weeks later it happened again. This time I was attempting to leave my garage, again in the rain, and I could not do so. The vehicle continued to halt each time I tried to back up. The car went back to the service center who had it for a full week, from 7/23/24 - 7/30/24, just to tell me that the issue I am referring to is actually "normal behavior and is a feature of the car" and they said that it could be turned off. When I picked up the car, the feature they turned off was the Rear Cross Traffic Assist (RCTA). However, that is a feature that I want to be able to use and nowhere in the owner's manual or anywhere I can find does it say that rain will stop the vehicle. I do understand how the RCTA is meant to work and I do want to have an audible and visual warning of objects or people impeding my path. However, I do not want the vehicle thinking that rain is an obstacle. I do have videos of this occurring.

13 total complaints retrieved from NHTSA for 20222026. For older model years, see individual year pages.

Q7 Years to Avoid

2017 Q7
179 complaints · 5 recalls · 8 crashes
Details →
2007 Q7
73 complaints · 2 recalls · 2 crashes
Details →
2018 Q7
82 complaints · 1 recalls
Details →

Ranked by combined complaints, recalls, crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Best Q7 Years to Buy

2026 Q7
0 complaints · 1 recalls
Details →
2016 Q7
1 complaints · 1 recalls
Details →
2024 Q7
0 complaints · 3 recalls
Details →

Years with fewest complaints and recalls.

Audi Q7 Problems by Year

Select a year to see detailed complaints, recall notices, and safety incident data.

Frequently Asked Questions — Audi Q7 Reliability

What year Q7 has the most problems?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Audi Q7 had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 179 complaints and 5 safety recalls. See the full 2017 report for specific defects.

Is the Audi Q7 reliable?

The Audi Q7 has accumulated 661 owner-filed complaints and 51 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2026 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Q7.

What are the most common Q7 problems?

The most frequently cited problem areas are: Electrical System (100 reports), Engine (93 reports), Exterior Lighting (70 reports), Fuel/Propulsion System (67 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.

How do I check if my Q7 has an open recall?

Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Check a Specific Audi Q7 VIN

Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Run a Free Audi Q7 VIN Report →

No account required · Instant results · Updated daily