2020 Audi Q7 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 14th of 16 Q7 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 30
- 3 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 22.8
- 11,825 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 1.2×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 13
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 5
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating
Should You Buy the 2020 Audi Q7?
Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2020 Audi Q7 is 67 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.2 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 14th of the 16 Q7 years we score.
The most reported problem is the cooling system (5 of 30 complaints). Owners also complain about the alternator or charging system and the 12V battery. 13 of the 30 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 5 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, engine and driver assistance systems. For comparison, the 2019 scores 80 and the 2021 scores 64.
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
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 4 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- More complaints than average about major systems in the last two years
- Cooling system failure5 complaints
- Alternator or charging failure4 complaints
- 12V battery: a loss of power2 complaints
How the 2020 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 | 1.3× | −12 |
| Everyday problems | 1.0× | −4 |
| Problems in the last two years | 1.5× | −11 |
| Recalls | 1.1× | −6 |
| Score | 67 |
What Owners Report
We read all 30 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 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 30.
Cooling system failure
5 complaints (17%)
A failure.
Alternator or charging failure
4 complaints (13%)
A failure. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
12V battery: a loss of power
2 complaints (7%)
A loss of power and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Brakes: unusual noises
2 complaints (7%)
Unusual noises and the system acting on its own.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2 complaints (7%)
Burning or using oil.
Electrical system failure
2 complaints (7%)
A failure. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Reported Once (23)
Show the 23 problems reported once
- A/C compressor failure
- AWD or rear differential failure
- Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead
- Control module (unspecified) failure
- Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
- Engine failure
- Exterior lights: warning lights
- Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
- Fuel pump failure
- Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
- Loss of power (cause not stated)
- Driver-assist camera and radar: warning lights
- Parking brake: warning lights
- Phone and navigation: works on and off
- Piston rings: damage
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
- Rearview camera failure
- Stall (cause not stated)
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
- Tire pressure monitoring: wrong readings
- Transmission: unexpected downshift
- Turbocharger failure
- Wiring, fuses or body control module: a fire
How the 2020 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 This year | Caution | 67 | 1.2× | 22.8 | 5 | Cooling system failure |
| 2019 | Excellent | 80 | 0.52× | 13.1 | 4 | Steering: stopped working |
| 2018 | Good | 70 | 1.0× | 29.6 | 3 | Exterior lights: warning lights |
| 2017 | Caution | 66 | 1.4× | 54.3 | 7 | Exterior lights: warning lights |
2020 Audi Q7 Recalls
Five recalls cover the 2020 Audi Q7. The most recent was issued in December 2025: “Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 25V900000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 19, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Heating Element May Overheat On Front Camera
An overheated heating element can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 23V212000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 29, 2023. By the first quarter of 2025, 89% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V516000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jul 20, 2022. By the third quarter of 2024, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Incorrect Air Bag Module Parameters/FMVSS 208
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. 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.
NHTSA 21V078000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 17, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
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.
2020 Audi Q7 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2020 Audi Q7, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, engine 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-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
- The problem:
- The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-07
Crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
- The problem:
- The crankcase breather on the 4.0 EA825 engine can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the crankcase breather and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2019 to 2023 Audis with the 4.0 EA825 engine. The bulletin names no model. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 15 years or 150,000 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 2020 Q7 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
SUV AWD
SQ7 SUV AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2020 Q7, from its five 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.
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 25V900000
- Heating Element May Overheat On Front Camera NHTSA 23V212000
- Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA 22V516000
- Incorrect Air Bag Module Parameters/FMVSS 208 NHTSA 21V078000
- Head Injury from C-Pillar Impact in a Crash NHTSA 20V658000
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-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
- AWA-23-07: crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
- Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.
- 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.
- Cooling system
- Alternator or charging system
- 12V battery
- 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