What's Wrong with the Audi Q7?

Start-Stop Defects
There are multiple problems with Audi's start-stop technology that outweigh the modest fuel efficiency gains. Owners complain that the system will shut off the power steering and brake systems at dangerous times and cause the accelerat The …
Continue reading article "Start-Stop Defects"
Fuel Pump Flange Leaking
It’s been quite a journey figuring out how to stop Audi's Continental fuel pump flanges from leaking, but it appears the automaker is finally offering a solution after years of interim repairs.
Continue reading article "Fuel Pump Flange Leaking"
Cheating Diesel Emissions
Audi was caught cheating on its diesel emissions with defeat devices. Twice. It started with the widespread dieselgate story for 2.0L 4-cylinder engines and was followed with a lesser known cheat for vehicles with the ZF 8-speed transmiss…
Continue reading article "Cheating Diesel Emissions"

What Q7 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

engine won't turn over, won't start in the 2007 Q7
2 complaints
keys automatically lock car in the 2015 Q7
2 complaints
squealing from brakes in the 2017 Q7
2 complaints
electronic stability program (ESP) malfunctioning in the 2007 Q7
2 complaints
sunroof drains clogged in the 2008 Q7
2 complaints

What Breaks the Most

Brakes
9 complaints
Electrical
8 complaints
Interior
6 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Windows
3 complaints

Years to Avoid

2007
9 complaints
2015
6 complaints
2008
5 complaints
2017
5 complaints
2009
4 complaints

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

2nd Generation Q7
Years
2017–2021
Reliability
23rd out of 39
PainRank^™
1.29
Complaints
9
Learn more about the 2nd Generation Q7
1st Generation Q7
Years
2006–2016
Reliability
33rd out of 39
PainRank^™
2
Complaints
35
Learn more about the 1st Generation Q7

Q7 Key Numbers

44 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
1,659 service bulletins
Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.
15 recall campaigns
Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Q7 Class-Action Lawsuits

The Q7 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

Dismissed
Pitts, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.
1. Dismissed
  March 2021
  The case was dismissed when a judge ruled Audi's owner's manuals clearly say the Start-Stop system "may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop."
2. Case Filed
  July 2020
  The lawsuit wanted refunds for the purchase price of the vehicles for class members, plus compensation for overpaying and for loss of values.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2017-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 A8
2017-2020 S3
2017-2020 S4
2017-2020 S6
2017-2020 S8
2017-2020 TT
2017-2020 TTS
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
2017-2020 SQ5
Location
Virginia
Dusanjh v. Audi AG, et al.
1. Case Filed
  September 2020
  The Audi Start-Stop system allegedly requires expensive repairs, car rentals, towing charges, time off work and other costs, while customers allegedly lose money as the vehicles lose their values.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2017-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 A8
2017-2020 S3
2017-2020 S4
2017-2020 S6
2017-2020 S8
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
2017-2020 SQ5
2017-2020 TT
2017-2020 TTS
Location
British Columbia
Swinburne, et al., v. Audi of America, Inc., et al.
1. Case Filed
  August 2020
  Class action lawsuit alleges the systems cause the engines to hesitate, lag and fail to immediately activate when drivers try to accelerate from full or rolling stops.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2019-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 Q3
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
Location
Virginia
Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc
2:2017cv05086
1. Case Filed
  July 2017
  An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.
2. Dismissed
  October 2017
  The case was voluntarily dismissed in November 2017 after a motion to dismiss by Audi was filed earlier that same month.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2013-2017 A3
2013-2017 A4
2013-2017 A5
2013-2017 A6
2013-2017 A7
2013-2017 A8
2013-2017 S3
2013-2017 S4
2013-2017 S5
2013-2017 S6
2013-2017 S7
2013-2017 S8
2013-2017 RS 5
2013-2017 RS 7
2013-2017 allroad
2013-2017 Q3
2013-2017 Q5
2013-2017 Q7
2013-2017 SQ5
2013-2017 TT
2013-2017 TTS
2013-2017 TT RS
2013-2017 R8
Location
California
Settlement
Stockalper, et al., vs. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, et al.
1. Settlement
  May 2018
  A VW timing chain class-action lawsuit may be nearing the end as the automaker has agreed to settle the multidistrict litigation that comprises seven class-action lawsuits.
2. Case Filed
  August 2016
  An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.
Problem
Busted Timing Chains
Class Vehicles
2008-2012 A3
2008-2012 A4
2008-2012 A5
2010-2012 A6
2012 A7
2008-2012 TT
2010-2012 Q3
2009-2012 Q5
2012 Q7
Location
New Jersey
Settlement
David Zimand, et al v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Audi of America, Inc.
1. Settlement
  May 2018
  A VW timing chain class-action lawsuit may be nearing the end as the automaker has agreed to settle the multidistrict litigation that comprises seven class-action lawsuits.
2. Case Filed
  May 2016
  A Volkswagen timing chain tensioner lawsuit alleges numerous VW and Audi vehicles have defects in the timing chain tensioning systems that cause complete engine failure.
Problem
Busted Timing Chains
Class Vehicles
2008-2012 A3
2008-2012 A4
2008-2012 A5
2010-2012 A6
2012 A7
2008-2012 TT
2010-2012 Q3
2009-2012 Q5
2012 Q7
Location
New Jersey

Recent Q7 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.
The automaker recalled the vehicles after discovering a certain batch of lock nuts on the axle's trailing arm are more suceptible to snap because of corrosion.…
keep reading article "Audi Recalls 46,000 Vehicles With Potentially Misaligned Rear Axles"
Posted on
May 6, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed
after the judge ruled that the owner's manual clearly states the Start-Stop system may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop. Is that all it takes to win in court? Be prepared for your next owner's manual to say "cars might catch on fire due to thermodynamics" just to cover all the bases.…
keep reading article "A Judge Just Ruled That Audi's Start-System Operates As Intended"
Posted on
March 15, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
Audi is recalling 30,000 Q7 SUVs because they're worried that (*checks notes*) unbuckled front-seat child passengers could get hurt by the airbags?
An internal investigation found the second-stage of their dual-stage airbag may deploy too quickly for young necks. Maybe we need another investigation into the people allowing their 6-year-olds to ride shotgun without a seat belt?…
keep reading article "Audi Recalls 2020-2021 Q7 Over Dual-Stage Airbag Concerns"
Posted on
February 22, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
A small number of 2021 Audi vehicles have been recalled to replace the front door crash sensors.
The sensors are part of a network that monitors for crashes and can deploy airbags and the seat belt pretensioners. The automaker thinks the electrical connections for these particular sensors can disconnect over time.…
keep reading article "A Front Door Crash Sensor Problem Can Disable Airbag Deployment in Certain 2021 Audi Vehicles"
Posted on
December 14, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects.
It's almost as if owners don't appreciate suddenly losing access to their power steering and brakes while slowing down or not knowing whether their vehicle will accelerate through a busy intersection.…
keep reading article "Canada Joins the Lawsuit Party Against Audi's Defective Start-Stop System"
Posted on
September 6, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
A Virginia based lawsuit says Audi's start-stop system suffers from defects that cause delayed acceleration or lurching that can put occupants in danger.
The plaintiffs say that Audi HQ and dealerships will just tell owners to deactivate the start-stop system if they don't like it, but the system starts up automatically each time the ignition is pressed and must be manually deactivated by pressing a separate burden. Something the case refers to as a inconvenience and mandatory burden that is not disclosed to the Class Members ar the time of the sale.…
keep reading article "Another Audi Start-Stop Lawsuit Says the Technology Causes Dangerous Acceleration Delays"
Posted on
August 26, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions.
That's a good thing. But it also disables the power steering and brakes way too early. And it is a little slow to re-engage those systems when the vehicle starts moving again. That's a really bad thing.…
keep reading article "Defects in Audi's Start-Stop Technology Make it Dangerous to Drive"
Posted on
July 13, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit

See All Q7 News

Start-Stop Defects

Fuel Pump Flange Leaking

Cheating Diesel Emissions

What Q7 Owners Complain About

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

2nd Generation Q7

1st Generation Q7

Q7 Key Numbers

Dismissed

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.

Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed

Audi is recalling 30,000 Q7 SUVs because they're worried that (*checks notes*) unbuckled front-seat child passengers could get hurt by the airbags?

A small number of 2021 Audi vehicles have been recalled to replace the front door crash sensors.

For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects.

A Virginia based lawsuit says Audi's start-stop system suffers from defects that cause delayed acceleration or lurching that can put occupants in danger.

Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions.

Other Audi Models

Audi is recalling 30,000 Q7 SUVs because they're worried that (checks notes) unbuckled front-seat child passengers could get hurt by the airbags?