Audi Q7 years to avoid (and the best years)
884 NHTSA owner complaints and 31 recalls across 14 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 884complaints
- 31recalls
- 31reported crashes
- 5reported fires
- 92reported injuries
Which Audi Q7 years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Audi Q7 year to avoid is 2017. The typical Audi Q7 year has 35 complaints on file.
- 2017: 319 complaints, 9.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the exterior lighting (42% of complaints) and the engine (19% of complaints).
What are the best Audi Q7 years?
The Audi Q7 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (16), 2022 (18) and 2011 (23). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 0.5× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2023 | 16 | 0.5× | 3 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2022 | 18 | 0.5× | 3 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2021 | 73 | 2.1× | 9 | 3 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 27 | 0.8× | 5 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 62 | 1.8× | 4 | 5 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2018 | 142 | 4.1× | 3 | 3 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 319 | 9.1× | 7 | 7 | 10 | Approach with caution | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 | 44 | 1.3× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 45 | 1.3× | 2 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2013 | 41 | 1.2× | 3 | 3 | 60 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2012 | 29 | 0.8× | 4 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2011 | 23 | 0.7× | 4 | 1 | 5 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2010 | 29 | 0.8× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 206 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain71 (34%)
- Electrical & infotainment56 (27%)
- Structure & body23 (11%)
- Brakes22 (11%)
- Other systems15 (7%)
Recalls (31)
Safety · 25V900000 · Dec 2025 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 25V777000 · Nov 2025 · model year 2025
A seat belt that is missing a rivet may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 25V201000 · Mar 2025 · model year 2021
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V251000 · Apr 2024 · model year 2023
A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 23V868000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2023
An improperly mounted air bag may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 23V212000 · Mar 2023 · model year 2020
An overheated heating element can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 23V086000 · Feb 2023 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V806000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2022
An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V742000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2021
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 22V516000 · Jul 2022 · model years 2020, 2021
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 22V034000 · Jan 2022 · model year 2021
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V825000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2022
A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 21V606000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Suspension · 21V295000 · Apr 2021 · model year 2021
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V078000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 20V749000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
A detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Structure · 20V658000 · Oct 2020 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.
Steering · 20V149000 · Mar 2020 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V093000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2019
An air bag that does not properly inflate in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Suspension · 19V114000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2019
Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
Fuel system · 19V035000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2017, 2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 18V818000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 17V298000 · May 2017 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 16V955000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2017
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.
Fuel system · 16V660000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Steering · 16V648000 · Sep 2016 · model year 2017
With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V641000 · Sep 2016 · model year 2017
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.
Electrical system · 16V642000 · Sep 2016 · model year 2017
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V519000 · Jul 2016 · model year 2017
Air bags that deploy with excessive force may increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 15V019000 · Jan 2015 · model years 2011, 2012
A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Engine · 14V516000 · Aug 2014 · model year 2013
If oil leaks into the brake booster, the brake booster diaphragm may rupture causing a loss of power braking assist, and increasing the risk of a crash.