Your vehicle report
2017 Audi Q7
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 323
- Received Oct 2016 to Oct 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Headlights dim or fail at night48 complaints · 15% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Turn signals work intermittently or fail25 complaints · 7.7% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Coil springs break and puncture tires22 complaints · 6.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #20V149000Volkswagen 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.
- Recall #19V035000Volkswagen 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Coil springs break and puncture tiresFirst signal: Dec 2022
- Engine burns excessive oil between changesFirst signal: Sep 2024
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 7 crashes, 3 fires, 10 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
- Headlights dim or fail at night
- Turn signals work intermittently or fail
- Tail light sockets melt and burn
1 more problem
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 59 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 24 |
| Total | 323 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 48 | 15% | 10× | NHTSA recall #16V642000 |
| Turn signals work intermittently or fail | 25 | 7.7% | 51.6× | |
| Coil springs break and puncture tires | 22 | 6.8% | 41.3× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Dec 2022 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.4% |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 17 | 5.3% | 7.4× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Sep 2024 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.2% |
| Head gasket leaks coolant into engine | 9 | 2.8% | – | |
| Glass shatters or cracks without impact | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Fuel pump fails and engine stalls | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 7 | 2.2% | – | NHTSA recall #19V035000 |
| Brakes make grinding or squealing noise | 7 | 2.2% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 6 | 1.9% | – | |
| Rearview backup camera fails or goes black | 6 | 1.9% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 6 | 1.9% | – | |
| Steering wheel clunks or clicks when turning | 5 | 1.6% | – | NHTSA recall #20V149000 |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 4 | 1.2% | – | NHTSA recall #16V641000 |
| Water leaks into cabin during rain | 4 | 1.2% | – | |
| Engine stalls and loses power while driving | 4 | 1.2% | – | |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 4 | 1.2% | 1.7× | |
| Tail light sockets melt and burn | 4 | 1.2% | 24.7× | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 3 | 0.9% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 3 | 0.9% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #20V149000March 16, 2020229 vehicles affected
steering
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #19V035000January 16, 201974,881 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #16V955000December 29, 20165,947 vehicles affected
air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module; air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module; air bags: side/window; 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.
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.
NHTSA recall #16V648000September 8, 20168 vehicles affected
steering: electric power assist system
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #16V641000September 6, 201619,205 vehicles affected
seats: mid/rear assembly
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."
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.
NHTSA recall #16V642000September 6, 201679,895 vehicles affected
electrical system: software; 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."
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.
NHTSA recall #16V519000July 8, 201614,535 vehicles affected
air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
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."
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2017 Audi Q7.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN