VehicleVerdict

2020 Audi Q7 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2020 Audi Q7 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 30 owner complaints run below the Q7 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (33% of the total).

30

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Q7 years?

Q7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted403 complaints2007: 134 complaints2008: 44 complaints2009: 34 complaints2010: 44 complaints2011: 26 complaints2012: 44 complaints2013: 49 complaints2014: 65 complaints2015: 56 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 403 complaints2018: 175 complaints2019: 81 complaints2020: 30 complaints2021: 112 complaints2022: 26 complaints2023: 26 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 25 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Q7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q7 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Audi Q7 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1033%
Engine827%
Driver Assistance310%
Transmission310%
Brakes27%
Fuel System27%
Other27%

Does the 2020 Audi Q7 have recalls?

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

25V900000Driver AssistanceDecember 19, 2025 · 356,894 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.

23V212000Driver AssistanceMarch 29, 2023 · 19 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020 Q7 vehicles. Incompatibility between the front camera control software and the heating element used for the front camera on the windshield may cause the heating element to overheat.

Consequence

An overheated heating element can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will update the control software and replace the heater element for the front camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90N7.

22V516000Fuel SystemJuly 20, 2022 · 49,443 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DR.

21V078000AirbagsFebruary 17, 2021 · 26,967 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BV.

20V658000Body & StructureOctober 27, 2020 · 94,144 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“While driving, Forward Collision Warning appears without any reason. My understanding is that the car will brake itself if it senses frontal collosion and I am concerned that it might brake suddenly without my knowledge and cause an accident.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2023

“I discovered this item while researching another issue. There was a class action law suit against VW/Audi for the Water Pump and coolant leaking into the system. The class action covered the year and model for my Audi (2020 Q7) but my VIN was not included. The class action ended in 2024. On 8/4/25,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 4, 2025

“Central control module failure. Item is under recall for various Q5 models. Q7 is essentially the same car with same water intrusion problem. Why isn’t it included in recall. Very dangerous stall. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 4, 2024

“While driving, Forward Collision Warning appears without any reason. My understanding is that the car will brake itself if it senses frontal collosion and I am concerned that it might brake suddenly without my knowledge and cause an accident.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · March 1, 2023

“TWO ISSUES: THE SMALL PORTABLE AIR PUMP THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WOULD BLOW THE FUSE TO THE 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER. AFTER A NEW FUSE IS PUT IN, THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON ABOUT EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH TIME OF USING OF THE PUMP. I HAVE REPLACED ABOUT 5 FUSES ALREADY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE SQUEAKING OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 16, 2020

2020 Audi Q7 — common questions

Is the 2020 Audi Q7 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 30 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Q7 year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2020 Q7 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (10 complaints), engine (8 complaints), transmission (3 complaints).

Does the 2020 Audi Q7 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 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.