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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 →
319Owner complaints

Model-year median: 29

7Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
45
201444
20152
2016319
2017142
201861
201927
2020
Compare all Q7 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
133Engine
60Electrical System
53Suspension
32Unknown Or Other
30
All reported categories
Steering
19Fuel/propulsion System
17Power Train
10Service Brakes
9Wheels
7Air Bags
6Structure
6Visibility/wiper
5Seat Belts
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Forward Collision Avoidance
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Back Over Prevention
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Firerelated
1Lane Departure
1Seats
1Visibility
1

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

30 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2023
Unknown Or Other

On the evening of 8/12/2023, my vehicle (2017 Audi Q7) began producing a vibrating noise while driving and a clunking noise while turning. The next day (08/13/2023), after halting at a traffic light and accelerating when the light turned green, a loud pop was heard from the rear of the vehicle. And the vehicle was unable to move…

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On the evening of 8/12/2023, my vehicle (2017 Audi Q7) began producing a vibrating noise while driving and a clunking noise while turning. The next day (08/13/2023), after halting at a traffic light and accelerating when the light turned green, a loud pop was heard from the rear of the vehicle. And the vehicle was unable to move forward or backward while the engine was running. The vehicle has been towed to the Audi dealer in Chantilly, Virginia. Upon multi point inspection, the service team found that the drive shaft got separated from the rear differential flange. All bolts connecting drive shaft found sheared off in rear differential flange. Initially the service team tried to extract broken bolts and replace bolts and gasket to reconnect drive-shaft. But after couple of days, they were unable to extract broken bolts. So the current recommendation is to replace rear differential pinion yoke, re-install driveshaft and rear exhaust section and re-evaluate operating condition. All six driveshaft bolts for connection to rear differential found broken off in pinion yoke. Unable to drill-out remaining material from broken bolts out of rear differential pinion yoke. The service person thinks parking brake may have got engaged when the acceleration pedal was pressed causing the bolts to break. But, in my opinion, that is not the reason. I am certain that the parking brake was not ON at the traffic light. I would like to find the root cause why the drive shaft was separated from the rear flange. I am a bit nervous it may happen again and also want to help other Q7 owners if this a recall issue. In the following link the Audi service person posted a video that shows the separation of the drive shaft from the rear flange. I do not know how long the video will be accessible. Please watch the video as soon as possible. [XXX] I have also recorded the video on my phone (screen recording). I will send some pictures as well. thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.

NHTSA ODI #11539573

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2023
Unknown Or OtherCrash

When putting the car in park, the car shot forward instead and when I tried to put it in reverse the car shot backward and I was unable to stop it.

NHTSA ODI #11526444

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

Engine coolant leak due requiring a water pump and thermostat replacement. Vehicle has 53,621 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11501774

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof suddenly exploded while driving, no other vehicles or flying objects around. The glass broke into several small pieces. It had the potential to shatter glass on me & my family while riding in the suv. The same issue has been reported by several individuals on the Audi world website. My vehicle is currently at a repair …

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Sunroof suddenly exploded while driving, no other vehicles or flying objects around. The glass broke into several small pieces. It had the potential to shatter glass on me & my family while riding in the suv. The same issue has been reported by several individuals on the Audi world website. My vehicle is currently at a repair facility & being inspected by the insurance company. There were no warning signs. It suddenly occurred.

NHTSA ODI #11475203

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2022
Unknown Or Other

2017 Audi Q7 - 26K miles. During oil change visit - multipoint inspection, dealer service center informed me about the fluid leak and it warrants a water pump replacement/repair which cost around $1500. No sign of this failure, just out of warranty and they’re able to find now.

NHTSA ODI #11460609

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Without warning, my 2017 Audi Q7 sunroof exploded, with glass exploding outward and shards deposited on the closed mesh sun/shade screen. I was alarmed by a loud explosive noise, thinking a tire blow-out, but the sunscreen had literally exploded. I escaped being injured by flying glass shards because the sun/shade was drawn clos…

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Without warning, my 2017 Audi Q7 sunroof exploded, with glass exploding outward and shards deposited on the closed mesh sun/shade screen. I was alarmed by a loud explosive noise, thinking a tire blow-out, but the sunscreen had literally exploded. I escaped being injured by flying glass shards because the sun/shade was drawn closed so glass did not enter the cabin. Only the retractable piece of the sunroof glass exploded, the rear glass remained intact. I contacted my local Audi dealer for a replacement part and asked him to research if the sunroof glass was defective. The dealership has not alluded to any defect study of Audi Q7 sunroof glass shattering. Upon repair, Audi service team concluded that both pieces of the panoramic sunroof must be replaced because ‘ they changed the profile of the glass and now the new front glass does not line up properly to the rear glass’. The entire sunroof was replaced at my expense.

NHTSA ODI #11456683

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Failed water pump at 67,000 miles. The vehicle started with a slow leak and coolant smell, but escalated to losing one liter of coolant each day in about a month. Potential for overheating and fires.

NHTSA ODI #11439943

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Premature Water Pump Failure. I took our 2017 Audi Q7 into the dealer for a 60k mi service. The vehicle has been serviced as recommended by Audi at the dealership at every interval. On this visit everything looked normal but they discovered a leak in the water pump. Quoted a $2100 repair. We are out of warranty. Talking to other…

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Premature Water Pump Failure. I took our 2017 Audi Q7 into the dealer for a 60k mi service. The vehicle has been serviced as recommended by Audi at the dealership at every interval. On this visit everything looked normal but they discovered a leak in the water pump. Quoted a $2100 repair. We are out of warranty. Talking to other Audi Q7 owners, many have had premature water pump failures. Some were covered by warranty, others not. The Water Pump is an essential component and if it fails, it could leave the driver and occupants stranded due to an overheated engine.

NHTSA ODI #11420231

47,000 miles · May 11, 2021
Unknown Or Other

WATER PUMP FAILED WITH 47K FILES - THERE SEEM TO BE A LOT OF THESE ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE Q7 OWNERS. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11416039

66,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

HI THERE I PURCHASED A USED 2017AUDI Q7 3.0T WITH ABOUT 65K MILES IN OCTOBER OF 2019 AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE BOTTLE WAS ALWAYS LOW SO I HAD TO KEEP ADDING.THERE WAS NO LEAK IN THE GARAGE BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY SMELL THE ANTIFREEZE. I CHECKED ON GOOGLE AND OTHER FORUMS AND LEARNED THERE IS A PROBL…

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HI THERE I PURCHASED A USED 2017AUDI Q7 3.0T WITH ABOUT 65K MILES IN OCTOBER OF 2019 AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE BOTTLE WAS ALWAYS LOW SO I HAD TO KEEP ADDING.THERE WAS NO LEAK IN THE GARAGE BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY SMELL THE ANTIFREEZE. I CHECKED ON GOOGLE AND OTHER FORUMS AND LEARNED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMP. SO IF OTHER PEOPLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I THINK AUDI SHOULD LOOK INTO FIXING IT .THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11399049

Official recalls

7

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.