IllustrationRear Drivers side spring cracked failed and corrosion on the bottom mount. Passenger side corrosion also visible and needed to be replaced. Confirmed and documented by dealer and repaired on 7-12-24. Vehicle has 93K miles and was last brought in for multi point inspection at 50K.
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 →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: 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 reportsI have received two "cylinder misfire" notifications. The first occured in December 2023 on a remote stretch of freeway. The second occured in June 2024 on a remote stretch of highway. In both cases, I immediately lost power and put myself and cars around me at risk because I had to pull over onto the side of the road to re-star…
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I have received two "cylinder misfire" notifications. The first occured in December 2023 on a remote stretch of freeway. The second occured in June 2024 on a remote stretch of highway. In both cases, I immediately lost power and put myself and cars around me at risk because I had to pull over onto the side of the road to re-start the car. After the second incident, I now have no confidence in taking my car, only 6 years old and with 74K miles on it, out of the city and into the countryside. The symptoms of this issue include frequent oil burn / oil top-offs. My car requires a quart of oil every 200-300 miles. There are no leaks in my driveway. The leaking all seems to be coming from the cylinders. I am taking my Q7 into a mechanic, again, next week and I am concerns the solution will be "new engine" which costs more than the car is worth.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the oil level was topped off every 700 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed piston and excessive oil consumption. T…
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The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the oil level was topped off every 700 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed piston and excessive oil consumption. The contact was informed that the piston needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Front right side marker light defective warning message populates when the vehicle is started, and also when temperatures are low, or conditions are wet. It also causes the ADAS components to be deactivated some of the times it occurs.
Audi Q7 sunroof front sunroof glass spontaneously exploded while driving on freeway at 8:30am going 75mph. No extreme temperature swing, no water on glass. Heard loud gunshot sound and looked up to see hole about 5-7" wide in sunroof. Tempered glass pieces falling onto fabric sunscreen.
Engine Malfunction Piston Rings Oil Consumption Loud brakes
left and right rear coil spring broken.
Warning light comes on stating front left side marker light is not working. However, light is on. Warning continues to come and ding non-stop despite the light working correctly. Searching the internet shows that this has happened to thousands of people. Audi is trying to charge over $5K for a known defect. Dangerous to have the…
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Warning light comes on stating front left side marker light is not working. However, light is on. Warning continues to come and ding non-stop despite the light working correctly. Searching the internet shows that this has happened to thousands of people. Audi is trying to charge over $5K for a known defect. Dangerous to have these lights not connected properly to the car's system.
Rear passenger side coil spring broke. Vehicle has 85K miles. Happened when traveling on a highway - heard a loud bang. Car still ran however sitting 1' lower on that side. Repair estimate in the $1500 range. Research in online forums shows this is happening to a lot of 2017-18 Q7s. definitely a design/component flaw.
HVAC flap motors (2 of them) failed for the second time impairing visibility during inclement weather. The first time was under warranty. This second time is costing me $1550 plus tax. When these flap motors fail, they remain closed and do not allow the heating or AC to blow into the vehicle which results in windows fogging …
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HVAC flap motors (2 of them) failed for the second time impairing visibility during inclement weather. The first time was under warranty. This second time is costing me $1550 plus tax. When these flap motors fail, they remain closed and do not allow the heating or AC to blow into the vehicle which results in windows fogging up completely. It is impossible to drive without windows open which is not practical in the winter cold rainy season.
Official recalls
320V658000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.