2021 Audi Q7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 Q7 years
The 2021 Audi Q7 has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 4th worst out of 16 model years, and carries 9 recalls. It's rated Avoid relative to other Q7 years, driven mainly by electrical system complaints (59% share).
- Complaints
- 74
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18.5 city / 23 hwy
Top 2021 Audi Q7 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System44 (59%)
- Engine24 (32%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (15%)
- Other11 (15%)
- Brakes6 (8%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Lane Departure4 (5%)
- Steering4 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
What owners report
- Dashboard shows multiple malfunction warnings at once (stability control, transmission, drive system) followed by unexpected braking, fishtailing, or sudden acceleration.
- Automatic emergency braking activates on its own at speed, sometimes with no obstacle present, occasionally leading to a crash.
- Upper dashboard MMI display loses power and reboots with a sudden burst of full-volume audio that startles the driver.
- Parking brake fails to hold on a slope, allowing the vehicle to roll backward unexpectedly.
- Power steering assist cuts out at low speed, making the wheel very hard to turn, accompanied by steering and lane-departure warning messages.
- Fuel pump recall repair parts were reported unavailable for extended periods, leaving owners unsure if the vehicle was safe to drive.
2021 Audi Q7 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V900000Dec 19, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras356,894 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V201000Mar 31, 2025Electrical System44,387 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
- NHTSA 22V742000Oct 5, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras170,296 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
2021 Audi Q7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Q7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Audi Q7 reliable?
- Compared to other Q7 model years, 2021 ranks 4th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 74 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Audi Q7?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 44 of 74 complaints (59%), with a median failure mileage of 90,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Audi Q7 have a fuel pump recall?
- Yes, recall 22V516000 covers 2019-2021 Audi Q8 and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles where a component inside the fuel pump may break and cause it to fail.
- How many recalls does the 2021 Audi Q7 have?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2021 Audi Q7, covering areas including electrical system, collision avoidance cameras, fuel system, airbags, seat belts, and suspension.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Audi Q7?
- EPA rates the 2021 Audi Q7 at 20.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 23 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,900.