Audi Q7 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
The Audi Q7 years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2021, based on NHTSA complaint index scores of 93, 100, 87, and 80 respectively. The 2017 model year alone has 319 complaints and 7 recalls. The 2010 and 2012 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 13 and 20.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 892
- Recall campaigns
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 31
- Fires reported
- 5
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Q7 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Audi Q7 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 13 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 27 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 19 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 20 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Fuel System | 19 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 93 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 53 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2016 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 100 | 319 | 7 | 3 | 7 | Electrical System | 21.5 | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 87 | 142 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 67 | 62 | 5 | 0 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 21 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 47 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 19.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 80 | 74 | 3 | 0 | 9 | Electrical System | 20.5 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 60 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 40 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 20.5 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Lane Departure | 21 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 73 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 21 | 5★ |
Q7 years to avoid: what went wrong
2017 Audi Q7 Index 100 · 319 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2017 Q7 carries the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 319 complaints, 7 recalls, 7 crashes, and 3 fires. Electrical System problems dominate at 49% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 63,815, followed by Engine issues at 20%. Owners described airbags deploying in low-speed collisions and, separately, airbags failing to deploy in real crashes. Recalls addressed a steering shaft bolt that could loosen and leaking fuel rails.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 engine problems →2017 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2013 Audi Q7 Index 93 · 43 complaints · 3 recalls
NHTSA lists 43 complaints for the 2013 Q7, with a complaint index of 93 and 3 crashes including 1 fire. Fuel System issues lead at 35% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,570 miles; Engine problems follow at 26% with median failure around 82,000 miles. Owners reported brake pedals sinking to the floor and fuel pump flanges cracking, which prompted a recall. Additional recalls covered an incorrect axle weight rating label and a check valve replacement on TDI engines.
2018 Audi Q7 Index 87 · 142 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2018 Q7 shows 142 complaints and a complaint index of 87, with 3 recalls and 3 crashes. Engine problems lead at 29% of complaints with a median failure mileage of just 15,000, and Electrical System issues follow at 25%, also at 15,000 miles. Owners reported parking brakes failing to engage and stability-control error messages appearing alongside brake loss. Recalls covered C-pillar crash padding and a steering shaft bolt shared with the 2017 model.
2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2021 Audi Q7 Index 80 · 74 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2021 Q7 has a complaint index of 80 across 74 complaints and 9 recalls, with 3 crashes and 5 injuries reported. Electrical System complaints make up 59% of the total with a median failure mileage of 90,000, and Engine issues follow at 32%. Owners described dashboard displays showing multiple simultaneous malfunctions along with unexpected acceleration or braking, and parking brakes failing to hold on slopes. Recalls included instrument panel software errors and infotainment update issues.
Most common Audi Q7 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System291 (33%)
- Engine215 (24%)
- Fuel System113 (13%)
- Other100 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires94 (11%)
- Brakes63 (7%)
- Steering52 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain49 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers41 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras39 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Audi Q7 years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2021 Audi Q7 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 93, 100, 87, and 80 respectively.
- Which Audi Q7 year is the best?
- The 2010 and 2012 model years are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 13 and 20 and only 29 complaints each.
- Is the 2017 Audi Q7 reliable?
- The 2017 Q7 has the highest complaint index (100) of any Q7 model year, with 319 complaints, 7 recalls, 7 crashes, and 3 fires reported to NHTSA, making it the year to avoid most.
- What is the most common problem area for the Audi Q7?
- Across all model years, Electrical System issues account for 33% of the 892 total complaints, followed by Engine at 24% and Fuel System at 13%.
- Does the Audi Q7 have recalls?
- NHTSA has issued 31 recall campaigns across Q7 model years from 2010-2025, including steering shaft bolts, fuel rail leaks, and instrument panel software errors.