NHTSA has received 143 owner complaints about the 2018 Audi Q7, or 16.3 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.40, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #30 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Audi models its rate is 96% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 15% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-01-17 and 2026-09-25. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
143Complaints
16.3Complaints per year on the road
0.4Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
2.1%Share involving a crash or fire
22Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 8.0 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 24 complaints, 72% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (27.3% of complaints), followed by Wheels, tires & suspension (16.1%) and Lighting (11.9%). 3 reports (2.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 70 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (60% of incidents). In the last 12 months 22 new complaints were filed, versus 32 in the 12 months before — down 31%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.4
vs. other Audi models1.96
vs. other 2018 models0.34
vs. other Luxury SUVs1.15
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (24)0.28
My 8-year-old's finger was in the door frame and the door came close enough to engage the soft close feature and she tried to pull her finger out as we watched the door slowly continue closing on it.
Body & structure · 2024-08-24 · ODI 11610620
coolant leaking @ 50K miles and also their warning system is not as effective. I got into a fender bender 2 months in owning the car as brand new.
Engine · 2023-09-13 · ODI 11544218 · Crash
I have a 2018 Audi Q7 3.0L with 86K miles on it. I discovered 1 of the rear coil springs was broke and both rear perches were very rusted. I had a local mechanic, who specializes in AUDIs, replace both rear springs and perches with OEM parts.
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-09-25 · ODI 11766848
Vehicle began displaying low engine oil level warnings between scheduled oil changes beginning in 2021, at approximately 50,000 miles. Condition was reported to the authorized Audi dealer on multiple occasions.
Engine · 2026-09-12 · ODI 11763767
The right rear passenger heated seat in my 2018 Audi Q7 overheated and burned through the leather and foam. Fortunately, my disabled [XXX] daughter, who normally sits in that seat, was not in the vehicle at the time.
Other · 2026-07-13 · ODI 11750098
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS Campaign 20V658000 · 2020-10-27
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8 and 2017-2019 Audi Q7 vehicles. The bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
