MODELYEARINDEX

Which Audi Q7 years to avoid

Across 8 scored model years, the 2021, 2017 and 2018 model years carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates.

Ownership label · Audi Q7 Full report
F
Grade 2010–2021
2021 vs model median 2.5×
Model median3× median
Electrical 32
Driver Assist 13
Engine 11
Avoid

2017 · 2021

Best

2010 · 2015

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Year Complaint volume vs median Reports Grade
2010
0.57× 19 B
2014
0.69× 21 B
2015
0.68× 29 B
2017
2.41× 90 F
2018
2.00× 67 D
2019
1.31× 39 C
2020
0.42× 17 B
2021
2.54× 86 F
2022 P
0.99× 28 C
2023 P
0.57× 26 B
2025 P
0.76× 27 B

P — provisional. These years have not completed 60 months on the road, so their totals are incomplete and they are excluded from the verdict.

What owners report

The component groups most often named, with one representative report. These are unverified — allegations, not findings.

2017 F 90 reports · median 17,017 mi

  1. Steering 11

    At slow speed 10mph, every time you turn the steering wheel the front suspension makes a clicking, popping noise which is very annoying and don't know if its safe to drive, the front suspension might just pop out. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Lights & Visibility 9

    Head up display reflector system, under specific light condition (sun orientation) produces glares which can vary in size and brightness. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Brakes 8

    Bought Q7 3.0 3/13/2017. Brakes squeak loudly, mainly in reverse but does it when stopping as well. Was told audi has a pending solution, however was not disclosed. Further damage is bound to happen. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

6 crash · 1 fire · 7 injuries

2021 F 86 reports · median 52,000 mi

  1. Electrical 32

    Upper dashboard display (mmi) loses power, upon reboot, audio volume comes on full power momentarily. This loud noise is both startling and distracting to the driver. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Driver Assist 13

    The contact owns a 2021 audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Engine 11

    I pulled out of the gym after using my key fob to unlock and start vehicle. Got a warning asking if key was in the car, it was, and warning went away. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

6 crash · 4 injuries

The best year for the Q7

Ranked by overall score among years with a full 60 months on the road.

2010 is the best-scoring Q7 model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 78.2 out of 100 — a score that combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations. On complaint rate alone the lowest is 2020 at 0.42× this model’s median, against 0.57× for 2010.

Yearvs medianReportsGrade
2010 0.57× 19 B
2015 0.68× 29 B
2014 0.69× 21 B

Recalls

29 campaigns on record.

Campaign Component Model years Units affected
25V900000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA 2020–2025 356,894
17V298000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP 2014, 2015 240,487
22V742000 BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION 2021 170,296
16V660000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP 2010 143,214
20V658000 STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS 2018–2020 94,144
16V642000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE 2017 79,895
19V035000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL 2017, 2018 74,881
22V516000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP 2020, 2021 49,443
21V606000 SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR 2021 45,496
25V201000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL 2021 44,387
21V295000 SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY 2021 40,993
22V034000 TIRES 2021 31,058

+ 17 further campaigns

How long do they last?

Complaint records show when problems get reported, not how long a car survives. Where owners gave an odometer reading, faults on the 2021 were reported at a median of 52,000 miles. Treat that as the point problems start being noticed, not a lifespan.

Common questions

Answered directly from this model’s record.

Which Audi Q7 years should you avoid?
2021, 2017, 2018 carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates of any Audi Q7 model year measured over an identical 60-month window.
What is the best year for the Audi Q7?
2010 is the best-scoring Audi Q7 model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 78.2 out of 100. The score combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.
How many recalls does the Audi Q7 have?
29 distinct recall campaigns are on record across all scored Audi Q7 model years. A recall is a matter of record: the manufacturer filed a defect report with NHTSA.

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2021 Q7
Complaints in window
86
Severity-weighted
131
Model median (weighted)
51
vs model median
2.54×
Recall campaigns (weighted)
9
Open investigations
0
Score 21.4 F