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2021 Audi Q7 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
30%
22 of 75 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2021 Audi Q7. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 30% of relevant complaints.

Better than 70% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2021 Audi Q7 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 22 of 75 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi Q7 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (30%). For comparison, the 2020 scores 43% and the 2022 scores 64%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
22
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
75
this model year
Fires reported
0
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
9
3 crashes · 5 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44 · 59%
ENGINE19 · 25%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11 · 15%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE7 · 9%
BACK OVER PREVENTION6 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES6 · 8%

The years either side

2010
48%
14 of 29
2011
too few complaints
2012
70%
19 of 29
2013
60%
24 of 43
2014
54%
22 of 45
2015
50%
19 of 44
2016
too few complaints
2017
41%
74 of 319
2018
42%
48 of 143
2019
32%
18 of 62
2020
43%
12 of 28
2021
30%
22 of 75
2022
64%
14 of 25
2023
too few complaints

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM09/15/2026
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.…
ENGINE09/08/2026
Water pump failure causing coolant to leak into engine.
ENGINE08/11/2026
waterpump is leaking- known issue that is currently being investigated for class action lawsuit. My car is now out of warranty.

Three of 22 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2021 Audi Q7 (9)

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
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 S…
TIRES
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 Cabr…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 sen…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2021 Audi Q7

Questions people ask about the 2021 Audi Q7

Does the 2021 Audi Q7 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 22 of 75 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi Q7 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (30%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Audi Q7?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns on the 2021 Audi Q7. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Audi Q7 years are better?

The 2021 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Audi Q7 years we track (30%). The other years run higher.

Should I buy a 2021 Audi Q7?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2021 Audi Q7 shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.