CarBrief

NHTSA has 144 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi Q7[1]. Engine reports lead the list[2], and the model year has 3 recalls[3].

144owner complaints[1]
3recalls[3]
21MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Three mention a crash, none a fire, and 3 mention injuries[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. Here are the biggest groups.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 40
Exterior lighting[6] 23
Unknown or other[7] 19
Suspension[8] 17
Electrical system[9] 16
Brakes[10] 13
Steering[11] 7
Power train[12] 7

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe coolant loss or a failed water pump, and some owners say they paid for the repair themselves[2]. Three describe the car stopping or losing power while driving, and 2 mention the start-stop system shutting off or hesitating as the car slows[2]. One of the 40 engine complaints mentions a crash[2].

Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12 lighting complaints, 11 describe a front side marker or parking light warning message[6]. Some owners say the light itself still works[6].

Suspension. All 12 suspension complaints in our sample describe a broken rear coil spring[8]. Owners report it at mileages from about 43,000 to 93,000, and some say it came with a loud bang and the car sitting lower on one side[8]. None of the 17 suspension complaints mention a crash or injury[8].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaints, In a sample of 12 complaints, owners describe infotainment, display or backup camera glitches, driver assist braking they did not expect, a front side marker light warning, and a wrong fuel level display that led to running out of fuel[9]. One of the 16 electrical complaints mentions an injury, and the median mileage at failure is 10,000[9].

Brakes. 13 complaints name the brakes[10], and 2 of them mention a crash[10]. The median mileage at failure is 17,500[10].

Recalls

Three recalls are on file for this car, newest first.

The rear spring and side marker light complaints above are not described in any of these three recalls[13][14][15].

Fuel economy

Both engines get the same EPA rating of 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined MPG[4][16], and both use premium fuel with all-wheel drive[4][16]. The 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo comes with an Automatic (S8)[4]. So does the 3.0L 6-cylinder[16]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,900 for each, based on EPA's current fuel price assumptions rather than prices when the car was new[4][16].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2018 Q7 an overall rating of 5 stars[5]. Frontal crash is rated 4 stars, side crash 5 stars and rollover 4 stars[5]. Rollover risk is 15.7%[5].

Engine and size

The EPA lists two engines for this car. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 252 hp[17]. The 3.0L 6-cylinder is rated 333 hp[18]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2.0 TFSI Quattro 3.0 TFSI Quattro
Length[19][20] 199 in 199 in
Width[19][20] 78 in 78 in
Height[19][20] 69 in 69 in
Wheelbase[19][20] 118 in 118 in
Curb weight[19][20] 4,696 lb 4,938 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

2007: 95 complaints, 3 recalls20072008: 33 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 21 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 29 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 23 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 29 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 43 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 46 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 45 complaints, 2 recalls20152017: 320 complaints, 7 recalls2018: 144 complaints, 3 recalls14420182019: 63 complaints, 4 recalls2020: 28 complaints, 5 recalls20202021: 75 complaints, 9 recalls2022: 20 complaints, 3 recalls20222023: 16 complaints, 3 recalls2024: 2 complaints, 3 recalls20242025: 17 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 2 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Q7 model year. The 2018 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2007953
2008333
2009213
2010293
2011234
2012294
2013433
2014462
2015452
20173207
20181443
2019634
2020285
2021759
2022203
2023163
202423
2025172
202621

2018 has the second-highest complaint count of any Q7 model year on file, at 144[3]. Only 2017 has more, at 320[3]. The next highest are 2007 with 95 and 2021 with 75[3]. Its 3 recalls are fewer than 2011 (4), 2012 (4), 2017 (7), 2019 (4), 2020 (5) and 2021 (9)[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so a high count does not by itself say how likely a problem is for one owner[3].

Should you buy a used 2018 Q7?

The complaint count is high for this model[3], and the samples we read point to a few repeat issues: a broken rear coil spring, coolant or water pump trouble, and a side marker or parking light warning[8][2][6]. Ask the seller for service records on all three. Ask the seller or an Audi dealer to confirm that the three recalls were done[13][14][15]. NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash and rollover[5]. Complaint samples are small and unverified, so treat them as things to ask about, not as a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q7?
Engine is the largest group in NHTSA complaints, with 40 of 144[1][2]. In samples we read, owners describe coolant or water pump trouble[2], broken rear coil springs[8] and side marker or parking light warnings[6].
Does the 2018 Audi Q7 have any recalls?
Yes, three. They cover C-pillar padding (20V658)[13], a steering shaft bolt (20V149)[14] and fuel rails (19V035)[15].
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Audi Q7?
The EPA rates both the 2.0L and the 3.0L at 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined MPG[4][16].
How safe is the 2018 Audi Q7?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash and rollover and 5 stars for side crash[5].
Is 2018 a good year for the Audi Q7?
It has the second-highest complaint count of the years on file, at 144, behind 2017 with 320[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so check the specific car's history.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 144 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi Q7 (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 40 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi Q7 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Q7, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 23 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 19 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 17 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 20V658, filed October 27, 2020: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 20V149, filed March 16, 2020: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V035, filed January 16, 2019: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Q7, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi Q7 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 252 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi Q7 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 333 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q7 4DR SUV 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 199 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,696 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q7 4DR SUV 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 199 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,938 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.