VehicleVerdict

2017 Audi Q7 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 403 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.2 times the median Q7 year — the 2017 model ranks #1 of 20 Q7 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Lighting leads the complaint categories with 132 reports (33% of the total).

403

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Q7 years?

See all Q7 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Audi Q7 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting13233%
Engine5915%
Electrical System5413%
Suspension328%
Other318%
Fuel System195%
Steering195%
Transmission92%
Brakes92%
Tires & Wheels72%
Airbags61%
Body & Structure61%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Driver Assistance51%
Seat Belts41%
Latches & Locks20%
Speed Control20%
Seats10%

Does the 2017 Audi Q7 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V149000SteeringMarch 16, 2020 · 229 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V035000Fuel SystemJanuary 16, 2019 · 74,881 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V955000Seat BeltsDecember 29, 2016 · 5,947 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

16V648000SteeringSeptember 8, 2016 · 8 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured November 11, 2015, to November 23, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist control unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Consequence

With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M5.

16V642000LightingSeptember 6, 2016 · 79,895 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.

16V641000SeatsSeptember 6, 2016 · 19,205 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to July 10, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the third row seat back may move forward under load, such as in a frontal collision. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence

If the third row seat does not remain in its adjusted position, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional support bracket to the seat, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F8.

16V519000AirbagsJuly 8, 2016 · 14,535 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to May 8, 2016. Due to a software issue within the air bag control module, the frontal air bags may deploy with more force than required in certain crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

Air bags that deploy with excessive force may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O3.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Getting a warning on my dash. "Front left side marker light defective. See owner's manual." Appears to be an open recall from research online, but does not cover my VIN apparently. That's shady, it's a known issue and dealership wants $4,000 to replace. Heck no, this is a manufacturing defect. Audi…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 1, 2024

The car caught fire and burnt to to the frame. The message that came on the dash board before it caught fire was camera. I told Audi and they disregard all of that. They told me they were going to check or do investigation and the only thing I was told after looking for answer was this! These…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 24, 2023 · fire

The car caught fire and burnt to to the frame. The message that came on the dash board before it caught fire was camera. I told Audi and they disregard all of that. They told me they were going to check or do investigation and the only thing I was told after looking for answer was this! These…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 24, 2023 · fire

Both rear coil springs snapped, broke and became detached, wedging against lower control arm. Coil spring had no signs of other damage; seems to be defective metallurgy. From online search, there seems to be a high number of Audi Q5's and Q7's from 2017 model year with this problem, but Audi…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 4, 2024

WHILE BACKING UP, IMAGE OF REAR VIEW AND OVERHEAD CAMERA FROZE. IMAGE SHOWED A CLEAR AREA BEHIND CAR AND I CONTINUED TO BACK. I BACKED SEVERAL MORE YARDS AND HIT THICK UNDERBRUSH BEFORE I REALIZED THE IMAGE WAS NOT ACCURATE. I CUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AND IMAGE STILL FROZE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 22, 2019 · crash

2017 Audi Q7 — common questions

Is the 2017 Audi Q7 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 403 complaints put the 2017 model at #1 of 20 Q7 years. It is one of the Q7 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Q7 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (132 complaints), engine (59 complaints), electrical system (54 complaints).

Does the 2017 Audi Q7 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Audi Q7. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi Q7 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Q7 years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2007, 2021, 2019. The cleanest record among Q7 years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.