IllustrationWhen turning the steering wheel there is a noise that sounds like something rubbing. It can be felt in the wheel.
2017 Audi Q7
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Q7 years
Owner complaints for the 2017 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: 75 of 319 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.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports
Steering complaints
19 reportsWHILE DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL CITY STREET, THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, FLASHED A BUNCH OF ERROR CODES AND THEN LOST POWER WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO THE CAR COULD NOT SAFELY BE STEERED OFF THE ROAD. THEY DID INITIALLY REPLACE THE BATTERY THINKING THAT THAT WAS THE CAUSE BUT IT HAPPENED …
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL CITY STREET, THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, FLASHED A BUNCH OF ERROR CODES AND THEN LOST POWER WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO THE CAR COULD NOT SAFELY BE STEERED OFF THE ROAD. THEY DID INITIALLY REPLACE THE BATTERY THINKING THAT THAT WAS THE CAUSE BUT IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANIC SO IT WE TOOK AT BACK WHICH IS WHEN WE WERE TOLD THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS NEEDED BUT THAT ONLY THE DEALERSHIP CAN DO THIS. THE CAR IS NOW SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THAT ARE NOW TELLING US THAT WE MUST BUY THEIR BATTERY OTHERWISE THEY CAN'T WORK ON IT.
WAS DRIVING NEW USED VEHICLE ON 55 MILE ZONE N MY LAND ASSISTANCE PULLED MY STARING TO RIGHT HARD ON SINGLE LANE TO THE INTERSECTION. MAY BE ONE SIDE LINE WAS GETTING WIDE FOR INTERSECTION. BUT IT WAS SUDDEN PULL. *TR
AFTER 10K MILES WE STARTED NOTICING ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES. I HAVE THE 18" GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES. THE TIRES ARE CHUNKING SEVERELY POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY. AUDI HAS A TSB FOR THE SAME CONDITION ON THE 20" TIRE. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE DO NOT COVER THE SAME CONDITION ON THE 18" TIRE??
CLICKING NOISE WHILE STOPING AND BUZZING WHILE TURNING. I AM NOT ALONE, BUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS LIKE OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS , WHY NO OFFICIAL IS ASKING AUDI TO FIX IT? OR DO WE NEED FIRE AND CRASHES AND LIFE LOSSES FOR NHTS TO ISSUE A RECALL?
THE EARLY PRODUCTION OF MODEL YEAR 2017 AUDI Q7 HAS SIGNIFICANT STEERING NOISES, SAME AS 2015 MODEL YEAR Q5 (EXISTING RECALL)'S STEERING NOISE. THE LOUD CLICKING NOISE ALWAYS COME AT LOW SPEED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU TRY TO GET INTO A PARKING SPOT. ANOTHER BUZZING NOISE ALSO OCCUR DURING ANY TURNS. AUDI DEALER PROMISED TO REPLACE…
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THE EARLY PRODUCTION OF MODEL YEAR 2017 AUDI Q7 HAS SIGNIFICANT STEERING NOISES, SAME AS 2015 MODEL YEAR Q5 (EXISTING RECALL)'S STEERING NOISE. THE LOUD CLICKING NOISE ALWAYS COME AT LOW SPEED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU TRY TO GET INTO A PARKING SPOT. ANOTHER BUZZING NOISE ALSO OCCUR DURING ANY TURNS. AUDI DEALER PROMISED TO REPLACE STEERING SHAFT BUT IT'S BEEN A YEAR AFTER THAT PROMISE AND WE STILL CANNOT GET THE REPAIR DONE. AUDI KEPT TELLING US THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.
1. DRIVING 2017 AUDI Q7 (MILEAGE 17017) ON I-85 CLOSE TO THE RICHMOND, VA. DRY, STRAIGHT AND NO TRAFFIC ROAD. 2. BOTH HANDS KEEP ON STEEL WHEEL, CAR LOST CONTROL, LANE KEEP DID NOT WORK, TRIED USED THE STEEL WHEEL TO ADJUST, THE STEEL WHEEL OVER RESPONSE. 3. THE CAR WENT TO LEFT AND RIGHT, ROLLOVER, AND CRASH. 4. HAD SENT CAR…
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1. DRIVING 2017 AUDI Q7 (MILEAGE 17017) ON I-85 CLOSE TO THE RICHMOND, VA. DRY, STRAIGHT AND NO TRAFFIC ROAD. 2. BOTH HANDS KEEP ON STEEL WHEEL, CAR LOST CONTROL, LANE KEEP DID NOT WORK, TRIED USED THE STEEL WHEEL TO ADJUST, THE STEEL WHEEL OVER RESPONSE. 3. THE CAR WENT TO LEFT AND RIGHT, ROLLOVER, AND CRASH. 4. HAD SENT CAR IN DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES TO REPAIRING AUTO BRAKE PROBLEMS (THIS CAR DID NOT STOP BUT SPEED UP EVEN FRONT CAR VERY CLOSE, I NEED USE BRAKE TO PREVENT FORWARD COLLISION MULTIPLE TIMES), STILL DID NOT FIXED, WENT ON 7/8/2017 WITHOUT APPOINTMENT, DEALER SCHEDULE FULL. 6. ONE TIME TO REPAIRING SAFETY SURROUND-VIEW EXTERIOR CAMERA. THREE TIME RECALLS REPAIR. 7. CAR HAD MULTIPLE TIME ERROR MESSAGES IN 17 MONTHS, SUCH AS ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL UNAVAILABLE, AUDI PRE-SENSE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED. 8. CAR ADD ON MULTIPLE SAFETY FEATURES, Q7 PREMIUM PLUS WITH ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE (ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AUDI ACTIVE LANE ASSIST, HIGH-BEAM ASSISTANT, IMPROVED FORWARD COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, AUDI PRE-SENSE). 9. VISION PACKAGE (AUDI VIRTUAL COCKPIT, FULL LED HEADLIGHTS, SURROUND-VIEW CAMERA, PEDESTRIAN DETECTION, NIGHT VISION, REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC DETECTION, BLIND SPOT DETECTION, TRAFFIC SIGN RECOGNITION). 10. WE ADDED THE ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES IN AUDI Q7, BUT JUST ONE YEAR AND FIVE MONTHS, IN THE STRAIGHT AND DRY ROAD, NO TRAFFIC AND NO REASON, STILL IN WARRANTY PERIOD, CAR CRASHED, AND TOTAL LOSE. THE CAR HAS MORE SAFETY FEATURES THAN ANY MY OTHER CARS BUT PROVIDES MUCH LESS SAFETY, MY WIFE AND I ALMOST LOSE OUR LIFE.
WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED THERE IS A SQUEAKY SOUND AS IF SOMETHING IS RUBBING AGAINST SOME OTHER THING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT DID RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE. THEY CHANGED THE WHOLE SUSPENSION AND THE ELECTRICAL STEERING SYSTEM BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. I TOOK MY CAR BACK FR…
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WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED THERE IS A SQUEAKY SOUND AS IF SOMETHING IS RUBBING AGAINST SOME OTHER THING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT DID RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE. THEY CHANGED THE WHOLE SUSPENSION AND THE ELECTRICAL STEERING SYSTEM BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. I TOOK MY CAR BACK FROM AND WAS ON A VACATION WHEN NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM BELOW THE VEHICLE. I PARKED THE CAR ON THE SIDE AND CHECKED FOR FIRE BUT THERE WAS NONE. I LET THE CAR COOL DOWN AND THEN PARKED THE CAR IN THE HOTEL. LATER I DROVE BACK HOME AND HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE OF SMOKE COMING FROM BELOW THE CAR. I HAVE DROPPED THE CAR FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST 1.5 MONTHS TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURING FAULT IN IT OR IT'S A LEMON THAT THEY SOLD TO ME. THE CAR WAS STATIONERY WHEN THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE SMOKE MUST BE THERE EVEN IN MOTION AS WELL. THE SQUEAKY SOUND COMES WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED SPECIFICALLY WHEN TURNING.
AT SLOW SPEED 10MPH, EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A CLICKING, POPPING NOISE WHICH IS VERY ANNOYING AND DON'T KNOW IF ITS SAFE TO DRIVE, THE FRONT SUSPENSION MIGHT JUST POP OUT.
Official recalls
720V149000 · 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.
16V955000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:side/window; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Dec 29, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
16V648000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Sep 8, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured November 11, 2015, to November 23, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist control unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M5.
16V641000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
Sep 6, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to July 10, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the third row seat back may move forward under load, such as in a frontal collision. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the third row seat does not remain in its adjusted position, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional support bracket to the seat, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F8.
16V642000 · Electrical System:software; Exterior Lighting
Sep 6, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Electrical System:software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
16V519000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Jul 8, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to May 8, 2016. Due to a software issue within the air bag control module, the frontal air bags may deploy with more force than required in certain crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Air bags that deploy with excessive force may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O3.
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.