← New search

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 · Mar 22, 2022
Engine

Water pump stopped working properly, creating hazardous situation with my car. Had the car overheated and stopped working while driving, this could have been catastrophic. The only symptom was loss of coolant and resulting warning message from the car. I took it to an independent service center, who diagnosed the problem and r…

Read full complaint

Water pump stopped working properly, creating hazardous situation with my car. Had the car overheated and stopped working while driving, this could have been catastrophic. The only symptom was loss of coolant and resulting warning message from the car. I took it to an independent service center, who diagnosed the problem and replaced at my own expense of $961.07.

NHTSA ODI #11457898

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2022
Unknown Or Other

After the shutdown of 3G network, my 2018 Audi Q7 Prestige lost some great features. Audi USA sent a recall 91CD which is basically the notice that 3G network will be shutting down from 2/22. This deactivates app based features like lock/unlock, vehicle monitoring, vehicle related data etc. When taken to the dealership "Audi Min…

Read full complaint

After the shutdown of 3G network, my 2018 Audi Q7 Prestige lost some great features. Audi USA sent a recall 91CD which is basically the notice that 3G network will be shutting down from 2/22. This deactivates app based features like lock/unlock, vehicle monitoring, vehicle related data etc. When taken to the dealership "Audi Minneapolis" with letter from Audi USA, dealership just upgraded the software but refused to upgrade the hardware. They asked $400 to upgrade the hardware. This is really inconvenient for the customer and also a safety issue as I am thinking. Please look into this and pressure Audi USA to come up with a resolution. Attached is a chat script with AudiUSA. Basically customer has to live with the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11456633

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2022
Service Brakes

I recently purchased a CPO 2018 Audi Q7, and shortly after purchase, I encountered the problem indicated in this TSB about break squeal (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153128-9999.pdf) I contacted the dealer (Audi North Austin, located at 12971 Pond Springs Road, Austin, TX 78729) to fix this problem, but was refus…

Read full complaint

I recently purchased a CPO 2018 Audi Q7, and shortly after purchase, I encountered the problem indicated in this TSB about break squeal (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153128-9999.pdf) I contacted the dealer (Audi North Austin, located at 12971 Pond Springs Road, Austin, TX 78729) to fix this problem, but was refused because my car does not meet the criteria specified in the TSB, namely 24 Months / 24,000 Miles (my car has 27,700 Miles). In doing so, I found another TSB (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153129-9999.pdf) with the same problem as in my car. And it has different criteria, namely 48 Months/50,000 Mile. In this regard, I would like to ask why there are different criteria for the same problem? Why are 2017 Audi Q7 models has 48 Months/50,000 Miles to fix this problem, but 2018 Audi Q7 only 24 Months/24,000 Miles ?

NHTSA ODI #11448999

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

Icy road, pulling up to stop sign, at 5-8 MPH , had just pulled out of parking space, touched brakes to slow down, brakes locked up, tried to pump to release brakes with no response, car stopped brakes released.

NHTSA ODI #11445258

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Low coolant, and found coolant leaking from waterpump

NHTSA ODI #11442411

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2021
Tires

Noticed front Goodyear Eagle Sport 285/45R20 tread are cracking and peeling. This is my second set of at the same OEM tire having the same phenomenon as original tires that came with vehicle when purchase new. Per dealership, this is a known issue with Goodyear tires and was recommended to switch to Pirelli tires. Current tir…

Read full complaint

Noticed front Goodyear Eagle Sport 285/45R20 tread are cracking and peeling. This is my second set of at the same OEM tire having the same phenomenon as original tires that came with vehicle when purchase new. Per dealership, this is a known issue with Goodyear tires and was recommended to switch to Pirelli tires. Current tires are still under manufacture warranty but if there is a known issue, why is Goodyear still selling tire? This failure seems to occur after about 15k to 18k miles of usage. Concern tread will tear apart at high speed and could cause an accident on there road.

NHTSA ODI #11432704

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Dear Leadership @ NHTSA, On July 5th, I reported an incident of Air conditioner not working on my Audi Q7 car with Dealer- Audi Bellevue, located at 1533 120th Ave NE, Bellevue Washington 98005. Findings from the service team was, faulty Control Module and it was replaced. However, this replacement did not fix the problem. …

Read full complaint

Dear Leadership @ NHTSA, On July 5th, I reported an incident of Air conditioner not working on my Audi Q7 car with Dealer- Audi Bellevue, located at 1533 120th Ave NE, Bellevue Washington 98005. Findings from the service team was, faulty Control Module and it was replaced. However, this replacement did not fix the problem. Further Investigation led to puncture in the Condenser as the cause. I was told the Condenser had to be replaced. I spoke to my service advisor and Supervisor of the service advisor. My question to them was “How can the condenser get punctured, which is under the hood of the car. My car never met with any accident”? Per Dealer Supervisor, While driving rocks from the road, can make its way through the front grill and make a hole on the Condenser and this is a known issue. My concern is, if this is a known problem, why is Audi still sticking to this Design where it can let rocks pass through the front grill to make a dent on the Condenser. This is causing a huge inconvenience/hardship to customers like me. I had to spend $1,542.62 for the condenser replacement(though I had a Platinum extended warranty) and had to leave my car at the workshop for 11 days. Now that the Condenser is replaced and working fine, the issue does not resolve here, rocks can potentially come through the front grill and can make a dent on the condenser again. This is still an OPEN issue. If that happens again, I will have to go through the same cycle of hardship/hazard/inconvenience. From inspection standpoint, the punctured condenser should be available with my Dealer. I have not made a claim through insurance, so no inspection is made on this condenser. I am not certain when the rocks would have puncture the condenser and there is no indication when the condenser was punctured. Since I noticed my Air conditioner not working on June 27th, I believe this incident of condenser puncture could have happened a week before.

NHTSA ODI #11427550

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2021
Power Train

When I was driving and trying to make a right turn to merge into the traffic, the transmission suddenly stalled and stuck in neutral, put my car in the right lane with large traffic on the lane and forced other cars to make sudden stop. After restarting the engine multiple times, it was suspected that somehow the transmission is…

Read full complaint

When I was driving and trying to make a right turn to merge into the traffic, the transmission suddenly stalled and stuck in neutral, put my car in the right lane with large traffic on the lane and forced other cars to make sudden stop. After restarting the engine multiple times, it was suspected that somehow the transmission is always in neutral while the onboard system showing it is in driving mode. I had to get out of the car to push it to a safe side road. This is all sudden while car engine is running. Initially the onboard dashboard shows Transmission Malfunction, but after restarting even that error message disappeared, while the transmission is still not engaging.

NHTSA ODI #11426048

23,500 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Seat Belts

STATIONARY VEHICLE: FOR THE LAST 3-4 WEEK THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WANT TO FASTEN. I HAVE TO REALLY WORK WITH IT TO FASTEN. ALSO ,IT IS DIFFICULTY TO UN-FASTEN ONCE IT IS FASTENED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IS GETTING HUNG MORE FREQUENTLY. I ASK THE AUDI DEALER IN MELBOURNE TO CHECK THE SEAT BELT ABOUT 5- MONTHS AGO. THEY S…

Read full complaint

STATIONARY VEHICLE: FOR THE LAST 3-4 WEEK THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WANT TO FASTEN. I HAVE TO REALLY WORK WITH IT TO FASTEN. ALSO ,IT IS DIFFICULTY TO UN-FASTEN ONCE IT IS FASTENED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IS GETTING HUNG MORE FREQUENTLY. I ASK THE AUDI DEALER IN MELBOURNE TO CHECK THE SEAT BELT ABOUT 5- MONTHS AGO. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT. BUT TO ME THIS IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11407814

20,000 miles · Apr 6, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

AT TIMES, THE "STOP-START" SYSTEM SEEMS TO FALTER WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED TO ALMOST A FULL STOP, BUT NOT QUITE. IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE I GET A FEW SECONDS WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS. I FEEL THAT IT IS EITHER A TRANSMISSION CAUGHT BETWEEN SHIFTS OR AN ENGINE FALTER. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD THAT "THAT'S HO…

Read full complaint

AT TIMES, THE "STOP-START" SYSTEM SEEMS TO FALTER WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED TO ALMOST A FULL STOP, BUT NOT QUITE. IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE I GET A FEW SECONDS WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS. I FEEL THAT IT IS EITHER A TRANSMISSION CAUGHT BETWEEN SHIFTS OR AN ENGINE FALTER. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD THAT "THAT'S HOW IT IS".

NHTSA ODI #11406681

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.