2021 Audi Q7 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (19) · Engine (11) · Vehicle Speed Control (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi Q7 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (9)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2025-12-19 · campaign 25V900000 · 356,894 vehicles
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."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:software 2025-03-31 · campaign 25V201000 · 44,387 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Back Over Prevention:display Function 2022-10-05 · campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rear
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2022-07-20 · campaign 22V516000 · 49,443 vehicles
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Tires 2022-01-26 · campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Seat Belts 2021-08-05 · campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate ear
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Suspension:rear:axle:non-Powered Axle Assembly 2021-04-26 · campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:software 2021-02-17 · campaign 21V078000 · 26,967 vehicles
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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:sensor:side Impact 2020-12-02 · campaign 20V749000 · 166 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6 and RS7 vehicles. The electrical connector can detach from the door crash sensor in either of the front doors.
Risk: A detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the crash sensors in both front doors, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BM.
Service bulletins (1,298)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Electrical System 2026-09-23 · TSB_2083385_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.
Electrical System 2026-09-23 · TSB_2063336_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when dtc c12bff0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,298 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-29 · Steering“active lane assist defect that causes uncommanded, abrupt steering to the left without driver input, most often in intersections where lane markings disappear. the system cannot be deactivated, creating a risk of loss of vehicle control and a crash. the dealer says it is a software issue with no manufacturer fix available.…”
2026-09-23 · Electrical System“it is listed as instrument cluster malfunction with a couple lights on like brake, abs, steering wheel with exclamation point next to it. often when i’m driving the screen in front of me that tells me my speed will go extremely dark to the point you can barely read what it says on it. i have not taken it to a dealership or service place yet but thi…”
2026-09-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i have heard a knocking and experienced sudden loss of power while driving- not electrical loss, but vehicle suddenly slows down and unable to pick back up speed effectively creating a safety concern when driving- especially at on ramps. a warning light comes on and then it will go off randomly with the loss of power. i have taken it in multiple …”
2026-09-08 · Engine“water pump failure causing coolant to leak into engine. …”
2026-08-28 · Electrical System · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 audi q7. the contact stated that the instrument cluster display had become blank and failed to operate as intended. the failure prevented the contact from viewing critical vehicle information, including the speedometer, fuel gauge, and turn signal indicators. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the…”
2026-08-18 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“rear sensors failed for blind spot warning, parking collision warning, rear cross traffic warning and possibly other safety functions have failed on this car twice now since it was purchased. this is known issue and if the car is out of warranty audi will not cover this very expensive repair for important safety features. quote from go parts websi…”
2026-08-11 · Engine“waterpump is leaking- known issue that is currently being investigated for class action lawsuit. my car is now out of warranty.…”
2026-08-07 · Vehicle Speed Control“on startup, the instrument cluster (audi virtual cockpit) takes an abnormally long time to illuminate. when it does come on, the check engine light and multiple other warning indicators are illuminated. first noticed about a month ago when the panel with the speed indicator wouldn't light up or took a long time to illuminate. i took the car to thr…”
2026-06-27 · Service Brakes“my independent repair shop has just diagnosed a coolant leak weeping from the vacuum line connection at the water pump; they referred to this problem as “coolant migration”. as documented extensively by audi in technical service bulletin 19-23-45 (2070349/2), this indicates an internal seal failure of the water pump, causing pressurized engine cool…”
2026-06-15 · Electrical System“my rear backup sensors have fallen out of my vehicle and the dealership wants to charge me $200.00 to diagnose the problem. all they need to do is reattach the sensors which were originally put on the vehicle with double sided adhesive tape which is a poor design. i cannot afford this $200.00. this is a big safety concern because i rely on those…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.