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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 · Sep 11, 2023
Suspension

Both rear springs broke at 70000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11543967

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2023
Exterior LightingSuspension

Just had the vehicle in for the it’s 60k mile service and no issues reported. Today, at 63k miles I had the same dealer look at a headlight malfunction and the service technician reported the rear coil springs are failing and need replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11538808

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2023
Structure

Did not have an issue until I heard an exhaust rattle today. Upon inspection, the exhaust pipe tip on the right side could be physically manipulated upwards and downwards but appeared to be rusty. The exhaust pipe extension (Audi part 4M0253682M) eventually fell off completely within 50 miles of initially noticing and fell onto …

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Did not have an issue until I heard an exhaust rattle today. Upon inspection, the exhaust pipe tip on the right side could be physically manipulated upwards and downwards but appeared to be rusty. The exhaust pipe extension (Audi part 4M0253682M) eventually fell off completely within 50 miles of initially noticing and fell onto the roadway, as I was pulling into a parking lot causing a hazard. Upon picking the item up, the clamp and exhaust pipe were rusted through.

NHTSA ODI #11535392

65,000 miles · Jul 27, 2023
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat cushion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufactur…

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The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat cushion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11534731

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2023
Suspension

Passenger side rear spring broke near the base on a 2018 Q7 with 66k miles. From looking online, this is a common problem with this model/year. VWofA issued a recall for rear springs for the same year of the VW Atlas, a car that shares the same platform with the Q7, so they know there's a problem. Looking online, many people…

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Passenger side rear spring broke near the base on a 2018 Q7 with 66k miles. From looking online, this is a common problem with this model/year. VWofA issued a recall for rear springs for the same year of the VW Atlas, a car that shares the same platform with the Q7, so they know there's a problem. Looking online, many people are having this issue, and it costs, $2400 to replace the springs.

NHTSA ODI #11525032

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2023
Engine

While driving, car stops and message " Drive System:Malfunction! Please Contact Service" comes on along with check engine light and message indicator.

NHTSA ODI #11518638

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Right engine mount fluid leaking under factory warranty(diagnosed at 50k service, 44k actual mileage). The leaking is not obvious and cant be identified unless lifting the car up.

NHTSA ODI #11514499

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

The problem: I was driving and noticed a high remaining fuel range, or a fuel gauge that appears to be stuck at a specific level, I ran out of gas while in motion, and my engine stalled almost causing a crash on the highway. My vehicle was towed to the Kansas City Audi dealer and they have identified the same issue in the recall…

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The problem: I was driving and noticed a high remaining fuel range, or a fuel gauge that appears to be stuck at a specific level, I ran out of gas while in motion, and my engine stalled almost causing a crash on the highway. My vehicle was towed to the Kansas City Audi dealer and they have identified the same issue in the recall in the NHTSA campaign number: 22V155. Audi’s own number for this recall is 20DN. The dealer has quoted $5,000 to make the repair (My vehicle is currently at the dealer). My 2018 Q7 has the same engine as the 2018 A7 where there is a recall regarding the same reported issue. "The fuel level sender, which is located inside the vehicle’s gas tank, may get stuck on the gas tank’s ventilation pipe, leading the dashboard display to show an incorrect gas level and remaining range level."

NHTSA ODI #11510340

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2023
Visibility/wiper

Twice now, the front windshield defroster has malfunctioned. First time was late last winter and the car was undriveable due to almost no visibility out of the windshield (and it malfunctioned during my wife's daily commute). We had it repaired under warranty at the time. The same issue occurred again yesterday (2/27/2023) ev…

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Twice now, the front windshield defroster has malfunctioned. First time was late last winter and the car was undriveable due to almost no visibility out of the windshield (and it malfunctioned during my wife's daily commute). We had it repaired under warranty at the time. The same issue occurred again yesterday (2/27/2023) evening while commuting to my son's school. Due to inclement weather, visibility was extremely poor without the defroster and had to drive with the windows partly rolled down. As the vehicle is out of warranty now, the repair costs will be out of pocket. In a span of a year or less, this issue has occurred twice now.

NHTSA ODI #11509599

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2023
Engine

Water pump failure. This can lead to catstrophic engine failure if not addressed. Dealer has confirmed the failure. No fault codes appeared in any scans. Only warning signs were rapid coolant loss & the smell of burning coolant.

NHTSA ODI #11505020

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.