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2018 Audi Q7 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 Audi Q7 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 144owner complaints
- 3crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 14%fail the UK MOT
144 complaints, against an average of 54 for the other 13 Audi Q7 model years.
Every Audi Q7 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 Audi Q7?
The components named most often in the 144 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 Audi Q7 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 144 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is my 2018 Audi Q7 burning or losing oil?14 owners · 9.7%
- Has the 2018 Audi Q7 had engine failures?10 owners · 6.9%
- Why does my 2018 Audi Q7 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?9 owners · 6.3%
- Why does my 2018 Audi Q7 overheat?7 owners · 4.9%
- Why does my 2018 Audi Q7 idle rough, misfire or hesitate?5 owners · 3.5%
Has the 2018 Audi Q7 been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Structure: Body: Roof And Pillars 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.
Fix: 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.
Steering 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System: Fuel Rail 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.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2018 Audi Q7 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSABolted connection between steering shaft and steering rack may come loose
Risk: The bolted connection between the steering shaft and the steering rack may not have been tightened to the required torque
Fix: The bolted connection between the steering shaft and the steering rack will be checked and if necessary replaced.
UK DVSAAn error in the casting process may affect the rigidity of the shock absorber fork
Risk: A casting process error may affect the rigidity of the front shock absorber fork.
Fix: Replace the affected shock absorber forks.
EU Safety GateThe vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021
EU Safety GateThe screw connection between the steering shaft and the steering box may not have been tightened sufficiently and may loosen over time.This will impair the vehicle’s steerability, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateA component of the wheel suspension may not be strong enough and could break over time.As a consequence, the tyre may press against the wheel arch which poses a risk of accidents.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateIn certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail.Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2018 Audi Q7 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2018, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2018 Audi Q7 owners report?
12 of the 144 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Audi Q7 2018 3.0 engine. both valves in cylinder broke at 134,000 miles
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. After replacing everything, the mechanic went to take the car on a test drive. He said one of the new springs broke right away. The spring that broke was in the exact same location as the one that originally broke and it broke in the EXACT same way.
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. Dealer added oil each time and stated there was no visible oil leak. No oil consumption test was performed and no repair order documenting the concern was provided. Oil loss worsened progressively through 2024. Engine failed in January 2026 at approximately 101,000 miles. Estimated repair cost 18,000–22,000.
My 2018 Audi Q7 3.0T Quattro is experiencing extreme oil consumption — dropping from full to minimum level in approximately 230 miles. This is approximately 14x beyond Audi's own threshold for excessive oil consumption of 0.5 quarts per 1,000 miles. Documented timeline: May 2026 (88,692 miles): Oil change required 2.2 extra quarts beyond standard 7.2qt fill. Low oil light triggered during highway travel. June 27, 2026 (90,200 miles): Authorized Audi dealer formally documented "oil consumption is very high" in their service system and scheduled an official oil consumption test. June 28, 2026…
I AM GETTING FRONT LEFT SIDE MARKER LIGHT FAULTY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR 2018 AUDI Q7. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF I AM QUALIFIED TO GET THIS REPLACED BY AUDI. APPARENTLY, THE REPLACING THE LAMP ISN'T EASY BUT WOUDL REQUIRE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHTING FIXTURE WHICH COULD COST OVER $2K. THANK YOU.
Parking light defective message on dash board. Looked at the light and all lights present. Talked to a dealer and the headlight assembly to replace is 6K plus. For a small yellow side light inside of headlight that is still on, but the message on dashboard says otherwise. Was told that it isn't outputting enough light power.
I’m reporting a serious safety issue with my 2018 Audi Q7. Both rear suspension springs failed suddenly while I was driving at highway speeds 70 MPH, with no warning at all. This was extremely dangerous—I almost lost control of the vehicle when it happened. The rear of the car dropped and handling became unstable immediately. There were no prior signs, noises, or issues leading up to the failure. This kind of failure should not happen under normal driving conditions, especially on a vehicle like this. Having both springs fail at the same time creates a major safety risk not only for me but for…
Left Front side marker light faulty. is the warning on the dashboard - I have noticed there is a recall I believe 2017 2018 for the same part and this is on a 2019 so it's obviously the part it actually says if there's a software fix
While driving on I-90 in January 2025, the steering wheel malfunctioned causing loss of control of the car. The warning message came on the dashboard to immediately stop driving. Was able to pull off to the shoulder, turn the vehicle off, and call AAA for assistance. They towed the car to a repair shop.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle at start-up, and the MMI System warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the MMI System was not fixed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
"front left" or "front right" "side marker light defective" message Rear brakes loud squeal when reversing.
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a serious and recurring safety issue involving my 2018 Audi Q7. The vehicle has experienced repeated drive system malfunctions that result in sudden loss of power, reduced acceleration, and warning messages on the dashboard such as “Drive System: Malfunction” and “Electrical System Failure.” These incidents have occurred while the vehicle was in motion, creating a hazardous situation for both the occupants and surrounding drivers. In my case, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power while driving at highway speeds, forcing me to maneuver to…
2018 Audi Q7: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 Audi Q7 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi Q7; the most common categories were engine (39, 27.1%), exterior lighting (23, 16%), suspension (17, 11.8%). There are 3 safety recalls. 3 complaints mention a crash, 3 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q7?
Across 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (27.1% of complaints), exterior lighting (16% of complaints), suspension (11.8% of complaints), electrical system (11.1% of complaints), service brakes (8.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 Audi Q7 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Audi Q7; the most recent (campaign 20V658000, 2020-10-27) concerns Structure: Body: Roof And Pillars. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is my 2018 Audi Q7 burning or losing oil?
14 of the 144 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi Q7 (9.7%) describe excessive oil consumption or oil leaks. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11763767, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2018 Audi Q7 had engine failures?
10 of the 144 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi Q7 (6.9%) describe complete engine failure or a replaced engine. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11763767, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Audi Q7 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
9 of the 144 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi Q7 (6.3%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "The engine burns oil. At about 60k miles started to burn about a liter every 10k miles. Once the engine got to about 80K engines it started burning a leter about every 1K miles." (NHTSA complaint 11658678, May 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Audi Q7 overheat?
7 of the 144 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi Q7 (4.9%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11750098, July 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Audi Q7 idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
5 of the 144 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi Q7 (3.5%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Engine Rebuild/Replace: Cylinder 1 intake valve has broken causing misfire/ oil consumption. Due to piece of valve falling into combustion chamber, damage/scoring on cylinder wall. Recommend replacement of engine" (NHTSA complaint 11654585, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Q7
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2018 only.