Audi Q7 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Audi Q7 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2016 drew the fewest (2) and the 2017 the most (319).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
2 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 21 |
| 2023 | 16 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 20–21 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
16 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2022 | 20 | 3 | Engine | — | 20–22 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
21 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 15–20 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
23 | 4 | Visibility/wiper | — | 18–20 |
| 2020 | 28 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 18–21 |
| 2010 | 29 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 15–20 |
| 2012 | 29 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 18–20 |
| 2008 | 33 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 14–16 |
| 2013 | 43 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 18–22 |
| 2015 | 44 | 2 | Engine | — | 18–22 |
| 2014 | 45 | 2 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 18–22 |
| 2019 | 62 | 4 | Steering | 5★ | 21 |
| 2021 | 75 | 9 | Electrical system | — | 20–21 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
95 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 14–16 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
143 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 21 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
319 | 7 | Exterior lighting | — | 21–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Audi Q7 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2017 Audi Q7: 319 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 133 (42%); Engine 60 (19%); Electrical system 53 (17%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 32,300 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Audi Q7: 143 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 38 (27%); Exterior lighting 23 (16%); Suspension 17 (12%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 15,800 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Audi Q7: 95 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 34 (36%); Fuel/propulsion system 26 (27%); Engine 13 (14%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,800 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Audi Q7 years with the fewest complaints
2016 Audi Q7: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (50%); Seat belts 1 (50%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2009 Audi Q7: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 7 (33%); Electrical system 3 (14%); Engine 3 (14%).
Reports mention 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 90,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Audi Q7: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 7 (30%); Fuel/propulsion system 4 (17%); Electrical system 2 (9%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 90,700 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Audi Q7 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 75 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 62 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13,500 |
| 2018 | 143 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15,800 |
| 2017 | 319 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 32,300 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 53,500 |
| 2014 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50,150 |
| 2013 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 60 | 0 | 74,000 |
| 2012 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 83,000 |
| 2011 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 90,700 |
| 2010 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2009 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2008 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2007 | 95 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 79,800 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Audi Q7 recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2020–2026 model years; 356,894 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2025; 25V900000)
- Fuel Pump Flange May Crack Causing Fuel Leak (2013–2015 model years; 240,487 vehicles across all models; filed May 2017; 17V298000)
- Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 (2021 model year; 170,296 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2022; 22V742000)
- Fuel Pump Flange May Crack Causing Fuel Leak (2007–2012 model years; 143,214 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V660000)
- Head Injury from C-Pillar Impact in a Crash (2018–2020 model years; 94,144 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2020; 20V658000)
All 32 Audi Q7 recall campaigns · Audi Q7 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Audi Q7 years FAQ
Which Audi Q7 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2016 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Audi Q7 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2017, 2018 and 2007 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Audi Q7 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (208 of 1,046 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Audi Q7 have?
NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns covering the Audi Q7. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Audi Q7 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.