2018 Audi Q7 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 10th of 16 Q7 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 143
- 2 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 29.6
- 47,557 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 1.0×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 45
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 3
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2018 Audi Q7?
Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2018 Audi Q7 is 70 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 10th of the 16 Q7 years we score.
The most reported problem is the exterior bulbs or DRL, mostly warning lights (22 of 143 complaints). Owners also complain about the coil springs and high oil consumption. 45 of the 143 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, brakes, drive axles and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2017 scores 66 and the 2019 scores 80.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Good reliability score of 70
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
- 4 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- Exterior lights: warning lights22 complaints
- Coil spring: parts breaking or coming apart17 complaints
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil16 complaints
How the 2018 Q7 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 0.88× | −10 |
| Everyday problems | 1.3× | −5 |
| Problems in the last two years | 1.1× | −10 |
| Recalls | 0.69× | −5 |
| Score | 70 |
What Owners Report
We read all 143 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Audi Q7, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 143.
Exterior lights: warning lights
22 complaints (15%)
Warning lights, a failure and wrong readings. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
Coil spring: parts breaking or coming apart
17 complaints (12%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure and shattering or cracking. 2 of these 17 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 67,000 miles.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
16 complaints (11%)
Burning or using oil and warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 83,000 miles.
Brakes: unusual noises
11 complaints (8%)
Unusual noises, loss of braking and locking up. 1 of these 11 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 23,000 miles.
Cooling system: a leak
10 complaints (7%)
A leak, a failure and warning lights. 1 of these 10 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 53,000 miles.
Engine failure
7 complaints (5%)
A failure. All 7 describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 86,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
6 complaints (4%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, the system acting on its own and a feature that stopped working. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. Median mileage when it started: about 15,000 miles.
Piston rings: damage
6 complaints (4%)
Damage, a failure and burning or using oil. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Tires: early wear
6 complaints (4%)
Early wear, parts breaking or coming apart and shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
Valve train: damage
6 complaints (4%)
Damage, parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. 4 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Rearview camera: works on and off
4 complaints (3%)
Problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 0 miles.
Seat belts: not closing or latching
4 complaints (3%)
Not closing or latching, the system acting on its own and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury.
Start-stop system: hesitation
4 complaints (3%)
Hesitation, engine shuts off before the car has stopped and warning lights. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Steering: sticking or stiffness
4 complaints (3%)
Sticking or stiffness, warning lights and locking up. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.
Engine: rough running or misfires
3 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires, a failure and a loss of power. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Show 14 more problems
Fuel pump failure
3 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part and a leak.
Screen and audio: works on and off
3 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go and warning lights.
Parking brake: the system not working when needed
3 complaints (2%)
The system not working when needed and warning lights. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (2%)
Shattering or cracking.
PCV valve or crankcase breather: unusual noises
2 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises and a failure.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
2 complaints (1%)
Rough running or misfires. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine mounts: a leak
2 complaints (1%)
A leak.
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
2 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Fuel leak failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and a leak.
Headlights failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and warning lights.
Rear spring lower mount: rust or corrosion
2 complaints (1%)
Rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart.
Door lock actuators: not opening or unlocking
2 complaints (1%)
Not opening or unlocking and the system acting on its own. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury.
Seats failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and overheating.
Stall (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
Stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Reported Once (23)
Show the 23 problems reported once
- A/C condenser: damage
- AWD or rear differential: unusual noises
- Adaptive cruise control: stopped working
- Airbag warning light
- Uneven tire wear: early wear
- Control module (unspecified) failure
- Defroster: stopped working
- Door latches: the system not working when needed
- Exhaust or catalytic converter: parts breaking or coming apart
- Instrument cluster: wrong readings
- Loss of power (cause not stated)
- Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
- HVAC flap motors failure
- Brake pedal: sticking or stiffness
- Interior light bars: works on and off
- Paint and rust: rust or corrosion
- Phone and navigation: warning lights
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
- Power liftgate: not opening or unlocking
- Stability control (ESC): warning lights
- Struts or shocks: a leak
- Transmission: failure or loss of drive
- Vibration (cause not stated)
How the 2018 Audi Q7 Compares With Other Years
The other Q7 years of the 2nd generation, 2017 to 2026, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new | – | – | 2.2 | 1 | – |
| 2025 | Provisional 67 | – | – | 6.0 | 3 | Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own |
| 2024 | Not scored | – | – | 3.0 | 3 | Phone and navigation: parts breaking or coming apart |
| 2023 | Good | 78 | 0.51× | 5.5 | 3 | Brakes: hard braking with nothing ahead |
| 2022 | Caution | 69 | 1.0× | 13.2 | 3 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2021 | Caution | 64 | 1.5× | 26.0 | 10 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2020 | Caution | 67 | 1.2× | 22.8 | 5 | Cooling system failure |
| 2019 | Excellent | 80 | 0.52× | 13.1 | 4 | Steering: stopped working |
| 2018 This year | Good | 70 | 1.0× | 29.6 | 3 | Exterior lights: warning lights |
| 2017 | Caution | 66 | 1.4× | 54.3 | 7 | Exterior lights: warning lights |
2018 Audi Q7 Recalls
Three recalls cover the 2018 Audi Q7. The most recent was issued in October 2020: “Head Injury from C-Pillar Impact in a Crash.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Head Injury from C-Pillar Impact in a Crash
In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 20V658000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 27, 2020. By the third quarter of 2022, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Possible Loss of Steering Control
A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V149000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 16, 2020. By the second quarter of 2021, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improperly Welded Fuel Rails May Leak Fuel
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
NHTSA 19V035000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 16, 2019. By the second quarter of 2020, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2018 Audi Q7 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2018 Audi Q7, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, brakes, drive axles and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
- The problem:
- The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-01
Squealing front brakes
- The problem:
- The front brakes can make a squealing noise.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the front brakes to fix the squeal, with any parts and labor needed. The bulletin does not say which parts.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2017 and 2018 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 4 years or 48,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-02
CV joint failure
- The problem:
- A CV joint can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not say which joint or describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the CV joint and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2018 Q5 and Q7, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron, and 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q8. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 5 years or 60,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
- The problem:
- The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
- Coverage:
- Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2018 Q7 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
SUV AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2018 Q7, from its three recalls, four Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Head Injury from C-Pillar Impact in a Crash NHTSA 20V658000
- Possible Loss of Steering Control NHTSA 20V149000
- Improperly Welded Fuel Rails May Leak Fuel NHTSA 19V035000
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
- AWA-22-01: squealing front brakes
- AWA-23-02: CV joint failure
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.
- Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
- Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Exterior bulbs or DRL
- Coil springs
- High oil consumption
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next