2018 Audi Q7 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
141 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
15,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 141 complaints (26.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 15.6% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 37 |
| Exterior Lighting | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Suspension | 16 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
Engine: 37; Exterior Lighting: 21; Unknown Or Other: 19; Suspension: 16; Electrical System: 15; Service Brakes: 12; Power Train: 7; Steering: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 108 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2018: 10; 2019: 14; 2020: 6; 2021: 9; 2022: 12; 2023: 16; 2024: 34; 2025: 29; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11061749 · 2018-01-17 (January 17, 2018)
2018 AUDIO Q. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE PUT IN TO NEUTRAL AND SELECT THE "P" FOR PARKING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ACTIVATED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON LEVEL LAND. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. NO ALARMS WENT OFF INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. THE REAR LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN USING A FOOT. IT NEEDED TO BE CHARGED. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11061749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11144662 · 2018-11-01 (November 1, 2018)
THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED SINCE 3K MILES. NO MATTER THE WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IS NORMAL, BUT I AM RESEARCHING OTHERWISE. AT 5AM LEAVING THE HOME, THE BRAKES SQUEAL, AT 2PM SQUEALING, 5PM SQUEALING, MIDNIGHT SQUEALING. FOR BEING A LUXURY VEHICLE I LOVE AND TRUST, THIS MAKES ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS AND EMBARRASSED WHEN NEIGHBORS ARE OUT AND HEAR THIS SQUEALING. THE BRAKE FOOT PEDAL DOES NOT GLIDE WHEN BEING USED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOCKING MOTION WHEN BEING USED ON TURNS.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11144662 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11105268 · 2018-07-03 (July 3, 2018)
STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE DRIVER SEAT; THE CENTER OF THE SEAT IS ABOUT 1" (ONE INCH) TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11105268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11084005 · 2018-04-09 (April 9, 2018)
THE 2018 AUDI Q7 HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES SINCE I LEASED THE CAR ON 9/11/2017. MY INITIAL INQUIRY RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY ISSUES WAS BACK ON DECEMBER 22, 2017 THAT WAS SHORTLY FOLLOWED UP BY A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. AFTER YOUR TEAM ASSESSED THE ISSUE AND ALLEGEDLY RESET THE SYSTEM, I CHECKED OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME TECHNOLOGY ISSUE AS I WAS DRIVING OFF THE LOT. YOUR TEAM PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. ASIDE FROM CONTINUED REBOOTS OF THE AUDI COMPUTER SYSTEM OR MM…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11084005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426048 · 2021-07-22 (July 22, 2021)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11246644 · 2019-08-27 (August 27, 2019)
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 29 AND SUV STARTED ACTING FUNNY AND THEN STOPPED. CALLED AUDI CARE AND THEY HAD TRUCK TOWED TO OMAHA NE. THEY PUT IN NEW FUEL TANK, PUMP AND LINE. HAD MY SUV IN SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER DRIVING AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY GAS LIGHT COMES ON. I STOPPED AND PUT GAS IN AND GOT HOME. DROVE INTO THE GARAGE AND FUEL WAS RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. CALLED AUDI CARE AGAIN AND COULDN'T GET TOWED UNTIL FUEL STOPPED LEAKING BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. TRUCK HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER TWO WEEKS AGAIN. SO, O…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406681 · 2021-04-06 (April 6, 2021)
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".
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11660203 · 2025-05-10 (May 10, 2025)
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a serious and recurring safety issue involving my 2018 Audi Q7. The vehicle has experienced repeated drive system malfunctions that result in sudden loss of power, reduced acceleration, and warning messages on the dashboard such as “Drive System: Malfunction” and “Electrical System Failure.” These incidents have occurred while the vehicle was in motion, creating a hazardous situation for both the occupants and surrounding drivers. In my case, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power while dri…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11660203 at NHTSA ↗