2018 Audi Q7: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 11093960 · 2018-05-15 (May 15, 2018)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CROSSOVER A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND TRYING TO DETERMINE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MYSELF, THE 2018 AUDI Q7, HAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS IT ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE JUST WOULD START A SLOW ACCELERATION BUT WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING AT ITS HIGHER ACCELERATION. THIS CAUSING THE ONCOMING VEHICLES NEARLY HITTING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP AND SAID THAT IS NORMAL. I VALIDATED THE OPERATION, WHEN THEY LET ME TEST A NEW AUDI Q7,…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093960 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 11121938 · 2018-08-23 (August 23, 2018)
WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE A "P" OR PARK IS STILL DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS HAS HAPPED SEVERAL TIMES. AUDI SERVICE WAS PROVIDED PICTURES AND VIDEO OF OCCURRENCES AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME. THEY NEVER DID. ALSO NOW HAVE SOS MALFUNCTION WARNING DISPLAYED. CAR ONLY HAS 7K MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122845 · 2018-08-27 (August 27, 2018)
REVERSE BIRDS EYE CAMERA OFTEN FLIPS TO A DIFFERENT MODE AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAMERA VIEW YOU WILL GET. HAPPENS ONCE OUT OF EVERY 2-5 REVERSES. THIS IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE STATE OF YOUR BACKUP CAMERA. I MUST THEN GO THROUGH A MULTI STEP PROCESS TO REVERT IT BACK. THIS APPEARS TO AFFECT NEARLY EVERY AUDI WITH THIS OPTION SOLD IN THE 2018 MODEL YEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123627 · 2018-08-31 (August 31, 2018)
THE OVERHEAD CAMERA VIEW WILL NOT STAY SET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS ONE CANNOT SEE THE AREA AROUND THE CAR WHEN PARKING. THIS IS APPARENTLY A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO AUDI SINCE AUGUST 2017. THEY HAVE YET TO ADDRESS IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11123627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11129372 · 2018-09-13 (September 13, 2018)
WHILE IN REVERSE BACKING UP, THE BACKUP CAMERA UNPREDICTABLY REVERTS TO USELESS "GRAPHIC" MODE DESPITE REPEATEDLY BEING SET TO "CAMERA" MODE. CHANGING THIS SETTING WHILE BACKING UP IS DANGEROUS, DISTRACTING AND UNPREDICTABLE. SOMETIMES IT WORKS CORRECTLY AND STAYS IN CAMERA MODE, OTHER RANDOM TIMES IT REVERTS TO GRAPHICS MODE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF MOST 2018 AUDI VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN UPDATED IN LATER RELEASED VEHICLES, BUT NO UPDATE TO EXISTING VEHICLES HAS BEEN OFFERED.
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11129372 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V035000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2019-01-16 (January 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: 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 campaign record ↗20V149000 · Steering
Reported: 2020-03-16 (March 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: 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 campaign record ↗20V658000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2020-10-27 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗