2017 Audi Q7 Complaints

SUSPENSION — Filed 10/03/2026

I was backing out of a retail shopping parking lot and heard a loud bang, then a horrible noise from the front driver side. The car went on a lock down - was useless. The front driver wheel was pushed out and we could see control arms. broken underneath. I had no warning, no indicators on the dash- this was catastrophic. I was stopping traffic from passing and required police assistance. The car had was towed via flatbed to a Firestone repair shop. As mentioned, no warning - I am certainly glad I was just backing out and not driving on the highway.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 09/05/2026

The vehicle has a recurring electrical failure involving the camshaft position sensor circuit (DTC P0365). The sensor itself is functional, but the wiring harness leading to the sensor develops internal copper fatigue due to a design flaw in the factory routing. The harness is bent tightly behind the passenger-side cylinder head, causing vibration-induced internal wire breakage that is invisible externally. This failure is well known to Audi dealers and has been reproduced and confirmed by multiple service centers. The problem is not caused by the sensor, plug, or engine components. It is caused by the wiring harness design, which repeatedly fails in the same 6–10 inch section. The defect causes intermittent loss of camshaft signal, illumination of the check engine light, and inability to pass emissions. Repair requires cutting open the harness and splicing in new wire, costing approximately 700–1,200 each time. This is a repeated electrical defect caused by poor harness routing and inadequate wire durability. This issue affects safety indirectly because the vehicle cannot reliably report camshaft position to the ECM, and the failure is unpredictable. The defect is widespread among vehicles using the same engine and harness design.

ENGINE — Filed 08/22/2026

The 2017 Audi Q7 Prestige was purchased on November 7,2016. Since the purchase, all service was provided by one or the other of two Audi dealerships. During this period, the Audi recommended 10K, 20K,30K, 40K, 50K, 60K, 70K, and 80K mile services had all been performed. In the almost ten years that I owned the car, the oil and oil filter were changed 11 times at one or the other of the two dealerships. The mileage interval between oil changes was 6,383 miles on average with a maximum interval on 8,177 miles; the time interval between oil changes was 320 days on average with a maximum of 399 days. The engine oil cooler valve had shorted out internally and was replaced in April 2025 at 58,225 miles. By the end of August 2026, the car had travelled 71,375 miles. From 60,000 miles on, oil consumption has gradually increased to alarming levels:1-quart every 700 miles. On August 22, while driving at highway speed on the Pennsylvania turnpike near Pittsburgh, I experienced a sudden loss of power, rapid deceleration, rough running of the engine, and a “Drive System Malfunction “indicator. Fortunately, I was able to slow the vehicle and safely move off the highway. The car was towed ($396) to an Audi dealership. The technician reported that the diagnostic scan showed a misfire code for cylinder #2; and, upon inspection, the #2 spark plug was found to be excessively oil-fouled. When the technician swapped the coils and spark plugs from cylinders #2 and #3, the misfire remained on cylinder #2. A compression test on cylinder #2 showed 120 psi – below normal, but not low enough by itself to definitively condemn the engine. The cost for this analysis was $500. I declined to invest in further teardown of the engine. Audi purchased the vehicle for $4,000. My experience appears similar to others with the 2017 Audi Q7 with the 3.0 engine. Exceptionally poor engineering and total lack of customer care!

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 07/06/2026

My 2017 Audi Q7 with the 3.0T engine has experienced repeated engine/ignition system failures. The vehicle displays a "System Malfunction" warning light accompanied by shaking and stalling. This same malfunction has occurred at least 3 separate times over the past few years. Each time, a repair shop diagnosed and replaced faulty ignition coils, and the vehicle ran normally for a period of time before the identical malfunction returned. The vehicle is currently inoperable due to the most recent occurrence. This creates a safety risk because the stalling and shaking can occur while driving, with no clear warning beyond the malfunction light appearing at the same time as the symptoms begin. A stall or loss of power while in motion, especially in traffic or on a highway, could lead to a collision. The problem has been confirmed and repaired multiple times by an independent European auto repair specialist, who stated this is a known, recurring issue with this engine/model. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer directly. Separately, the vehicle has also developed excessive oil consumption, requiring approximately 2 gallons of oil added roughly every 6 weeks, with the frequency increasing over the last 2 months. I am uncertain whether the oil consumption and the recurring coil/ignition failures share a common root cause, but both issues are ongoing and unresolved. The vehicle and its components are available for inspection upon request.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 07/01/2026

On my 2017 Audi Q7 with 93169 miles, I am getting the error message along with a warning lamp that states: "Front right side marker light defective." The light actually works however I am getting this message. If the light were to actually go out it would affect the safety of my vehicle. I hear this is a common issue with the 2017 Audi Q7s and is very costly to fix at the dealer because the entire headlight assembly is usually replaced by the dealer. My vehicle is available for inspection if needed.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 06/01/2022

Defective side‑marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Component: Exterior Lighting / Headlights Make/Model/Year: 2017 Audi Q7 prestige Issue: Defective side‑marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Complaint: The side‑marker LED inside the headlight assembly on my 2017 Audi Q7 has failed due to an internal LED driver defect. The LED module is sealed and non‑serviceable, so the entire headlight assembly must be replaced at a cost of $2,000–$5,000. The vehicle displays a “Side Marker Light Defective” warning even though the LED is still illuminated, indicating reduced output that triggers the fault. This failure reduces nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard. This is a widespread issue reported by many Audi Q7 owners. Audi designed the LED module as a non‑replaceable component, leaving full headlight replacement as the only repair option. This is a design flaw that forces an extremely expensive repair for a basic safety function. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this lighting defect.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 05/16/2026

Front right Marker light defect alert keeps pooping up and sounding an audible alarm while I am driving even through the marker light is working perfectly. Drive train alert comes on after I add oil and the vehicle starts hesitating while I accelerate.I just got a tune up which included new spark plus and a new coils. Problem came back even after the tune up within 3000 miles. Excessive oil loss. I constantly have to add a quart of oil even after I just got an oil change and tune up. Seeing oil in the cover shield that covers the entire engine. Seems like the oil is blowing out of the cap area where you add in oil. These problems are very costly for a vehicle that I ordinary love. Please advise what can be done because I can not pay for any more repairs out of pocket. There is only 80,100 mile on the vehicle.

SUSPENSION — Filed 01/16/2026

As per the Audi dealership inspection: Driver's-side rear coil spring is broken (also noted that the passenger-side spring is "swollen" and will need to be replaced). Appears to be a known issue; many complaints can be found online for the exact same issue (google 2017 Audi Q7 rear broken spring). The NHTSA issued a recall for a similar issue within the VW/Audi group for the VW Atlas (a similar vehicle in the Audi/VW motor group). [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 04/02/2026

I have gotten a notice that my "front left side marker light defective"

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 02/06/2026

Warning light for right side marker light comes on. Light seems to be working, but warning comes on. Cost to repair is thousands of dollars. It is a well known complaint of this car.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 10/31/2025

The console is reporting: "Front left side marker light is defective. See owner's manual". This is a lighting problem that Audi seems to have covered by a previous recall but this VIN was not included in said recall: Campaign 97CB/NHTSA #16V642000. I have had this defection confirmed by my local service center.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 03/01/2026

Warning message on dashboard regarding right side marker light defective. This warning only occurs after sundown when the daylight sensor has engaged. Confirmed by Audi dealer service on 3/12/2026. Dealer reports this is due to a problem with a LED light inside the headlamp component. Dealer denies coverage for the repair under my active extended warranty. Dealer states an approximate 5,000 repair, at my expense, to replace the entire right headlamp assembly is the sole remedy. It appears the failed component may fall under the scope of safety recall, Audi 97CB (found on your website at: NHTSA ID 16V642-5761.pdf) but my VIN number is not specifically included within the recall. As this appears to be the same or directly related issue, perhaps the recall affects a greater amount of vehicles beyond the initially declared VIN number. My safety concern is that any problem with nighttime lighting is a deadly serious matter.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 01/22/2026

Getting error message that the "Front Left Side Marker Light Defective". The light appears to be operational. Service shop looked to read the errors with ODB2 and both light modules (left and right) are not communicating any info. In same time the warning in dashboard is continuous and can impede gauges visibility during night. Audible warning noise can also activate at random times. Searched for this issue and Audi recalled some models for electrical software issue but many users outside the current recall report this same issue. Please expand the VIN numbers for the recall action for safety.

STEERING — Filed 10/30/2025

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, when I got seated in my car, put my seat belts on, and put the car in reverse gear to slowly get out of my parking space, it kept on going in reverse and won’t stop with break I tried to change the parking mode or drive mode but the steering column would not take any command. After 350 feet driven in reverse, it went into a ditch where it tried to turn it and the car was still in reverse, climbing out of the ditch, damaging another section of the fence, till I could turn off the engine with the ignition switch. It looks that the gear was stuck in reverse and after engine cut off it went back in drive mode. In the meantime, all four sides of the car were damaged and scratched all over, and there was damage on the bottom. Apparently it is electronic malfunction when the gear got stuck in reverse. Thank God that I was not in a busy parking lot, otherwise would have damaged dozens of cars and hurt many innocent bystanders. Will keep you posted till the Audi repair shop gives me a diagnosis

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FIRERELATED — Filed 07/24/2023

See attached document for complaint.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 06/24/2023

The car caught fire and burnt to to the frame. The message that came on the dash board before it caught fire was camera. I told Audi and they disregard all of that. They told me they were going to check or do investigation and the only thing I was told after looking for answer was this! These people know my insurance was state minimum so everyone put aside our safety concerned… Thank you for your continued patience while allowing Volkswagen Group of America the opportunity to review the subject Audi Q7 bearing the Vehicle Identification Number, [XXX] . Inspection of the subject Audi Q7 was conducted on September 6, 2023 at Mac’s Towing in Dania Beach, FL. Our investigation found no sign or suggestion of any manufacturer defect or shortcoming present with the vehicle. While the root cause is unknown, we would see the damages as remaining an insurance matter in light of no sign or suggestion of any manufacturer defect or shortcoming being found. Should your insurance company believe that Volkswagen Group of America is responsible for any damages, they will contact us to subrogate the claim. Regards, [XXX] Single Incident Coordinator – Audi / Lamborghini Product Analysis Group Office of the General Counsel Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. 2200 Woodland Pointe Avenue Herndon, VA 20171 Phone : +1 248 754 3367 Cell : [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/11/2023

When putting the car in park, the car shot forward instead and when I tried to put it in reverse the car shot backward and I was unable to stop it.

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/23/2021

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while at a traffic light a second vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into the rear of the vehicle causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a third vehicle located ahead. During the incident, the front of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. The driver and front passenger both sustained fractured noses and facial injuries. The driver of the second vehicle sustained a fractured femur. A police report was taken at the scene. The destroyed vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/28/2020

I HAD A ACCIDENT WHILE HYDROPLANED VEHICLE WITH FRONT AND BACK HIT WITH APPT 60M/HR AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!

STRUCTURE — Filed 11/10/2020

MY SUNROOF/MOONROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS I WAS SITTING COMPLETELY STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A PERFECTLY SUNNY DAY. NOTHING HIT MY CAR OR THE SUNROOF. I WAS LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE ON A SECONDARY ROAD WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A GUNSHOT, WHICH IS WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE GLASS EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT FINE SHARDS OF GLASS WERE EMBEDDED IN THE LEATHER AND MY SKIN. SUNGLASSES SAVED MY EYES, AND I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MOST OF THE GLASS WITH A LINT ROLLER FROM MY ARMS AND HANDS AND FACE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/30/2020

THERE'S MAJOR PROBLEMS OVERALL WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THIS CAR. THE PARTICULAR SAFETY ISSUE I'VE HAD REQUIRING MORE THAN THREE SERVICES HAVE BEEN WITH THE FUNCTIONALITY OR LACK THEREOF OF THE WINDOWS, PARTICULARLY THE ONES IN THE FRONT. THE AUTO OPEN AND CLOSE FUNCTION ON THE CLICKER INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. SOMETIMES IT JUST STOPS WORKING AND FUNCTIONING AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD IT ALL THE WAY DOWN OR HOLD IT ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL IT OPENS OR CLOSES. THE SAFETY ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH WHEN THE AUTO FUNCTION DOES WORK AND YOU CLOSE THE WINDOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THERE'S ANY OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE WAY OR AN ARM, IT WILL SHUT ALL THE WAY AND NOT PULL BACK OR STOP. THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MY ARM WAS CRUSHED AND I HAD TO MANUALLY PULL IT DOWN. LUCKILY IT WAS NOT TOO BAD, BUT IT WAS PAINFUL. IF IT WAS MY KIDS ARM, I WOULD BE LIVID. EVERY TIME I TOOK IT INTO SERVICE, THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY ANOTHER/DIFFERENT PROBLEM THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE WINDOW MALFUNCTION WHICH THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED DURING THE SERVICE. THE LAST TIME I WENT IN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ISSUES. I REFUSE TO TAKE IT BACK AND GOT THE MANAGER INVOLVED. THE MANAGER KEPT THE CAR AND PER HIS STATEMENT, NOT MINE, NEARLY FULLY DISASSEMBLED THE CAR FOR A WEEK TO TRY GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ENDED UP FINDING A FEW ISSUES SPECIFICALLY A BLOWN ELECTRICAL FUSE THAT DIRECTLY HAD TO DO WITH THE WINDOWS. AT THE END, THEY FIX WHATEVER THEY COULD FIND, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM AS WAS POINT BLANK STATED TO ME BY THE MANAGER AND HE WAS SORRY HE COULDN'T FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE BURN OF THE FUSE BECAUSE AS HE SAID THEY DON'T JUST BURN OUT FOR NO REASON. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN AND ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ATTENDED TO ASAP. ISSUE OCCURS WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY AND WHEN STATIONARY.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/22/2019

WHILE BACKING UP, IMAGE OF REAR VIEW AND OVERHEAD CAMERA FROZE. IMAGE SHOWED A CLEAR AREA BEHIND CAR AND I CONTINUED TO BACK. I BACKED SEVERAL MORE YARDS AND HIT THICK UNDERBRUSH BEFORE I REALIZED THE IMAGE WAS NOT ACCURATE. I CUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AND IMAGE STILL FROZE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE FROM CONTACT WITH BRUSH BUT THERE WAS A LARGE TREE WITHIN 2 FEET OF THE CAR'S REAR.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/03/2018

CPSC: WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WITH MY SISTER AS A PASSENGER, MY 2017 AUDI Q7 CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THE FIRE WAS PROCEEDED BY A SOUND, AND THE FIRE SEEMED TO COME FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IT WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANYTHING AND DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. *JS

STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) — Filed 09/15/2017

1. DRIVING 2017 AUDI Q7 (MILEAGE 17017) ON I-85 CLOSE TO THE RICHMOND, VA. DRY, STRAIGHT AND NO TRAFFIC ROAD. 2. BOTH HANDS KEEP ON STEEL WHEEL, CAR LOST CONTROL, LANE KEEP DID NOT WORK, TRIED USED THE STEEL WHEEL TO ADJUST, THE STEEL WHEEL OVER RESPONSE. 3. THE CAR WENT TO LEFT AND RIGHT, ROLLOVER, AND CRASH. 4. HAD SENT CAR IN DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES TO REPAIRING AUTO BRAKE PROBLEMS (THIS CAR DID NOT STOP BUT SPEED UP EVEN FRONT CAR VERY CLOSE, I NEED USE BRAKE TO PREVENT FORWARD COLLISION MULTIPLE TIMES), STILL DID NOT FIXED, WENT ON 7/8/2017 WITHOUT APPOINTMENT, DEALER SCHEDULE FULL. 6. ONE TIME TO REPAIRING SAFETY SURROUND-VIEW EXTERIOR CAMERA. THREE TIME RECALLS REPAIR. 7. CAR HAD MULTIPLE TIME ERROR MESSAGES IN 17 MONTHS, SUCH AS ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL UNAVAILABLE, AUDI PRE-SENSE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED. 8. CAR ADD ON MULTIPLE SAFETY FEATURES, Q7 PREMIUM PLUS WITH ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE (ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AUDI ACTIVE LANE ASSIST, HIGH-BEAM ASSISTANT, IMPROVED FORWARD COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, AUDI PRE-SENSE). 9. VISION PACKAGE (AUDI VIRTUAL COCKPIT, FULL LED HEADLIGHTS, SURROUND-VIEW CAMERA, PEDESTRIAN DETECTION, NIGHT VISION, REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC DETECTION, BLIND SPOT DETECTION, TRAFFIC SIGN RECOGNITION). 10. WE ADDED THE ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES IN AUDI Q7, BUT JUST ONE YEAR AND FIVE MONTHS, IN THE STRAIGHT AND DRY ROAD, NO TRAFFIC AND NO REASON, STILL IN WARRANTY PERIOD, CAR CRASHED, AND TOTAL LOSE. THE CAR HAS MORE SAFETY FEATURES THAN ANY MY OTHER CARS BUT PROVIDES MUCH LESS SAFETY, MY WIFE AND I ALMOST LOSE OUR LIFE.

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/23/2016

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH EXTREME FORCE IN A LOW IMPACT COLLISION. (IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT SPEED LESS THAN 15MPH) CAUSED SEVERE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA TO ME AND MY DAUGHTER