Audi Q7 Best and Worst Years (2007–2025)
Avoid the 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2025 Audi Q7 model years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (94, 100, 83, 89, and 78) and multiple recall campaigns. The 2010 and 2012 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 17 and 11.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2021Avoid 2025Best 2010Best 2012
- Model years
- 19
- 2007–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,041
- Recall campaigns
- 32
- Crashes reported
- 34
- Fires reported
- 7
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Caution | 67 | 95 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 22 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 15 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 28 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Fuel System | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Best | 17 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 39 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 19 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 11 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Fuel System | 19 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 94 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 44 | 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 | 83 | 142 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 72 | 62 | 5 | 0 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 21 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 61 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 19.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 89 | 74 | 3 | 0 | 9 | Electrical System | 20.5 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 56 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 33 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 20.5 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Lane Departure | 21 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 78 | 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 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, driven mainly by electrical system issues (49% of complaints, median mileage 63,815). Owners described dashboard displays failing, sudden loud audio spikes, and airbags that deployed with extreme force or failed to deploy in crashes. Seven recall campaigns apply, covering a steering shaft bolt that could loosen, leaking fuel rails, and airbag/seat belt pretensioner replacement. Seven crashes and three fires were reported.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 engine problems →2017 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2013 Audi Q7 Index 94 · 43 complaints · 3 recalls
NHTSA lists a complaint index of 94 for the 2013 Q7, the second-highest of any year. Owners most often reported fuel system trouble (35% of complaints, median mileage 75,570), including a fuel pump flange that could crack and leak, plus engine problems tied to a vacuum line recall. Brake pedal failures traveling to the floor and visibility/wiper complaints were also reported. Three recall campaigns cover this year, including the fuel pump flange issue and a mislabeled axle weight rating.
2021 Audi Q7 Index 89 · 74 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2021 Q7 has a complaint index of 89, dominated by electrical system failures (59% of complaints, median mileage 90,000) such as dashboards showing multiple malfunction warnings while the vehicle braked and accelerated on its own. Owners also reported brakes that failed to stop the car and parking brakes that did not engage on inclines. This year carries nine recall campaigns, the most of any Q7 year, covering instrument panel software, infotainment software, and rearview camera display errors.
2018 Audi Q7 Index 83 · 142 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2018 Q7 carries a complaint index of 83, with engine problems (29%) and electrical issues (25%) reported at a low median mileage of 15,000. Owners described acceleration hesitation at intersections, parking brakes that failed to engage, and stabilization errors accompanying brake loss. Three recall campaigns cover this year, including C-pillar padding that may not absorb enough crash impact, a steering shaft bolt, and leaking fuel rails.
2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2025 Audi Q7 Index 78 · 16 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2025 Q7 has a complaint index of 78. Collision avoidance and camera issues make up 38% of complaints, including adaptive cruise control braking abruptly and lane departure warnings turning back on after being disabled. Electrical system complaints included malfunctioning matrix adaptive headlights. Two recall campaigns apply, one for a rearview camera software error and one for seat belt buckles that may be missing a securing rivet.
Most common Audi Q7 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System335 (32%)
- Engine246 (24%)
- Fuel System169 (16%)
- Other118 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires97 (9%)
- Brakes74 (7%)
- Steering57 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain53 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers53 (5%)
- Structure & Body41 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Audi Q7 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2025 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 94, 100, 83, 89, and 78 respectively.
- What is the best year for the Audi Q7?
- The 2010 and 2012 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 17 and 11, the lowest among all Q7 years with data.
- Is the 2017 Audi Q7 reliable?
- The 2017 Q7 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 319 complaints and seven recall campaigns, most centered on the electrical system.
- Does the Audi Q7 have recall issues?
- Across all model years, NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns for the Q7, including fuel pump flanges, steering shaft bolts, C-pillar padding, and instrument panel software errors.
- What is the most common problem area on the Audi Q7?
- Electrical system complaints are the most common overall, making up 32% of all 1,041 complaints, followed by engine issues at 24%.