NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Audi Q7 years to buy are the 2015 and 2019. The 2015 scores highest, at 81 out of 100.
No Q7 year rates Avoid, but the 2017, 2020 and 2021 need a careful look. Owners of the 2017 most often report the exterior bulbs or DRL, mostly warning lights on the dash. On the 2020 and 2021, the main complaint is the cooling system.
Shopping for a newer Q7? Among the 2017 and later years, the 2018, 2019 and 2023 rate Good or Excellent. The 2017 and 2020 to 2022 are the weak spots. The 2024 has too little data to score. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
On a tighter budget, an older Q7 from before 2017 can be a smart buy. The 2007 to 2009 and 2011 to 2015 rate Good or Excellent. Skip or check closely the 2010.
No Q7 year is rated Avoid.
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score. Not enough data to score: 2024.
Two Q7 years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2015 leads with 81.
1st generation
Most reported problems
2nd generation
Most reported problems
Also rated Good: 2007–2009, 2011–2014, 2018, 2023.
No Q7 year rates Avoid. These four rate Caution, the lowest scores of all Q7 years.
1st generation
Most reported problems
Audi extended the warranty on some 2010 Q7s for problems with the engine and fuel system.
Full 2010 report →2nd generation
Most reported problems
Audi extended the warranty on some 2017 Q7s for problems with the air conditioning, brakes and driver assistance systems.
Full 2017 report →2nd generation
Most reported problems
Audi extended the warranty on some 2020 Q7s for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, engine and driver assistance systems.
Full 2020 report →2nd generation
Most reported problems
Audi extended the warranty on some 2021 Q7s for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, engine, driver assistance systems and instrument display.
Full 2021 report →Also rated Caution or Avoid: 2022.
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
Provisional score 67 (likely 64 to 70), in the middle third of 2025 models so far. Final score at 36 months.
Same generation as the 2023, which scored 78 (Good).
What we know so far →2 complaints and 1 recall so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
Same generation as the 2023, which scored 78 (Good).
What we know so far →All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Audi programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2nd generation | Too new | – | – | 2 | 2.2 | 1 | Report |
| 2025 | 2nd generation | Provisional 67 | – | – | 19 | 6.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2024 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2023 | 2nd generation | Good | 78 | 0.51× | 16 | 5.5 | 3 | Report |
| 2022 | 2nd generation | Caution | 69 | 1.0× | 25 | 13.2 | 3 | Report |
| 2021 | 2nd generation | Caution | 64 | 1.5× | 81 | 26.0 | 10 | Report |
| 2020 | 2nd generation | Caution | 67 | 1.2× | 30 | 22.8 | 5 | Report |
| 2019 | 2nd generation | Excellent | 80 | 0.52× | 62 | 13.1 | 4 | Report |
| 2018 | 2nd generation | Good | 70 | 1.0× | 143 | 29.6 | 3 | Report |
| 2017 | 2nd generation | Caution | 66 | 1.4× | 320 | 54.3 | 7 | Report |
| 2015 | 1st generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.44× | 45 | 14.8 | 2 | Report |
| 2014 | 1st generation | Good | 72 | 0.73× | 46 | 25.8 | 2 | Report |
| 2013 | 1st generation | Good | 73 | 0.81× | 43 | 30.3 | 3 | Report |
| 2012 | 1st generation | Good | 75 | 0.66× | 29 | 31.5 | 4 | Report |
| 2011 | 1st generation | Good | 73 | 0.82× | 23 | 25.8 | 4 | Report |
| 2010 | 1st generation | Caution | 68 | 1.2× | 29 | 47.5 | 3 | Report |
| 2009 | 1st generation | Good | 76 | 0.64× | 21 | 24.1 | 3 | Report |
| 2008 | 1st generation | Good | 79 | 0.47× | 33 | 20.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2007 | 1st generation | Good | 70 | 1.0× | 95 | 37.7 | 3 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Audi made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Audi's own model history.
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Audi made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.