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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

142 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2023
Suspension

This vehicle was maintained by Audi/VW for 60000 miles under a service contract. While changing my snow tires I noticed the spring was broken. My wife did claim she heard a rattling in the back of the car, this must have been it. I’ve found multiple complaints from different owners on car online forums claiming they found the sa…

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This vehicle was maintained by Audi/VW for 60000 miles under a service contract. While changing my snow tires I noticed the spring was broken. My wife did claim she heard a rattling in the back of the car, this must have been it. I’ve found multiple complaints from different owners on car online forums claiming they found the same spring, the right rear, unexpectedly broken. A suspension failure can have devastating results especially with a 7400 pound towing capacity.

NHTSA ODI #11499844

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2022
Engine

Engine coolant leak reported only at around 30K miles. Leak detected and fixed at owners cost.

NHTSA ODI #11498300

50,000 miles · Oct 14, 2022
Seat Belts

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the seat belt on the passenger’s side the second row started to make a clicking sound and tightened independently around the contact's son. The contact’s son reported that he felt pressure on his chest and shoulder as the seat belt tightened …

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The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the seat belt on the passenger’s side the second row started to make a clicking sound and tightened independently around the contact's son. The contact’s son reported that he felt pressure on his chest and shoulder as the seat belt tightened but was not injured. The contact stated that the seat belt failure had become a constant issue and had stopped using the seat belt. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V606000 (Seat Belts). The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11489290

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2022
Parking Brake

The car's parking brake system is not engaging when a door is opened while the car's transmission is in "Drive." Normal operation requires the parking brake to be engaged when the door is opened. Audi is aware of the issue and has issued a software patch to flash the car's firmware. See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/M…

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The car's parking brake system is not engaging when a door is opened while the car's transmission is in "Drive." Normal operation requires the parking brake to be engaged when the door is opened. Audi is aware of the issue and has issued a software patch to flash the car's firmware. See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10158462-9999.pdf However, this is only done for cars in warranty. Since this is a safety concern it should be done for all cars as a car can roll when a door is opened and the parking brake is not automatically engaged as originally designed.

NHTSA ODI #11488301

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2022
Electrical System

My Audi with 42k miles ran out of gas on the Interstate Highway without any warning. Failure was a fuel sending unit which provides fuel quantity info and the low fuel light. The erroneous display indicated just less than half tank and the display indicated 185 miles to empty. This failure of the engine to suddenly quit on a bus…

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My Audi with 42k miles ran out of gas on the Interstate Highway without any warning. Failure was a fuel sending unit which provides fuel quantity info and the low fuel light. The erroneous display indicated just less than half tank and the display indicated 185 miles to empty. This failure of the engine to suddenly quit on a busy freeway is potentially catastrophic! At a minimum there should be a safety recall requiring the Audi company to design the low fuel light to be on a separate circuit.

NHTSA ODI #11480408

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2022
Engine

At approx 56,600 miles I received a low engine coolant error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, all engine coolant was gone from the tank. Engine coolant was refilled by me at home. The next day, I received a low oil error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, the oil was below the minimum level. 1 quart of oil was added to my vehicle an…

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At approx 56,600 miles I received a low engine coolant error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, all engine coolant was gone from the tank. Engine coolant was refilled by me at home. The next day, I received a low oil error on my vehicle. Upon inspection, the oil was below the minimum level. 1 quart of oil was added to my vehicle and we promptly took the vehicle in for inspection as this did not seem like a coincidence. Upon inspection at Motor City Euro Repair, it was noted that the water pump was leaking causing the engine coolant and oil levels to decrease. Water pump replacement required, which should typically not be a required repair until 100,000 miles. Audi is aware of this issue, but no recall has been made. There is also a class action lawsuit for this issue, but the 2018 Q7 Prestige 3.0 is not part of the vehicles in the suit. Total cost of repair was $1,375 as the vehicle is 6,600 miles out of warranty. Again, this is a know Volkswagen/Audi issue and Audi US is not recalling.

NHTSA ODI #11480007

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineLane Departure

1.Interior color light bars: These light bars developed inconsistency. Audi repaired the inconsistency however now the light bars only display pink (not white) during start up. The dealership tried telling me it’s not pink, then claims to be color blind. I have artiest friends who maintain the color is pink. 2.Engine sta…

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1.Interior color light bars: These light bars developed inconsistency. Audi repaired the inconsistency however now the light bars only display pink (not white) during start up. The dealership tried telling me it’s not pink, then claims to be color blind. I have artiest friends who maintain the color is pink. 2.Engine start-stop: Dealership confirms the Q7 will shut down as part of the start-stop feature before the vehicle has stopped. I explained to the dealership that the Q7 speedo claims moving 1 to 2 mph faster than it is moving. Therefore, during slow speed braking, stop sign, the Q7 will shut down before it stops moving. Without the engine on, the Q7 will lurch to a stop or and forcing the transmission to turn. 3. Low oil light comes on between oil changes sometimes.

NHTSA ODI #11470061

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

I purchased car July 2nd 2021 with 74956 miles, I just had it towed to audi do to coolant level light coming on. I purchased extended warranty at time of purchase and though this would be covered but was told warranty only covers water pump not the thermostat. Now they are demanding over 2100 to fix. I have seen several other au…

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I purchased car July 2nd 2021 with 74956 miles, I just had it towed to audi do to coolant level light coming on. I purchased extended warranty at time of purchase and though this would be covered but was told warranty only covers water pump not the thermostat. Now they are demanding over 2100 to fix. I have seen several other audi owners that have experienced similar issues and believe this could be a dangerous to the owners especially when going on a long trip which my leave you stranded.

NHTSA ODI #11464921

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof exploded. No trauma to the sunroof it just popped and glass shattered going down interstate

NHTSA ODI #11464335

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2022
Tires

285 45 R 20 All of the treads on each tire is delaminating. The tires are not even a year old and have 90% tread heigh left. There are less than 20000 miles put on this vehicle. I went to have my tires rotated and my mechanic pointed out that the tires were dangerous and treads were cracked and delaminating on all 4 tires. y…

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285 45 R 20 All of the treads on each tire is delaminating. The tires are not even a year old and have 90% tread heigh left. There are less than 20000 miles put on this vehicle. I went to have my tires rotated and my mechanic pointed out that the tires were dangerous and treads were cracked and delaminating on all 4 tires. you may need to blow up pictures or zoom in to see accurately

NHTSA ODI #11461398

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.