Audi Q7: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Audi Q7 problems by model year, from 883 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2012 (70%, 19 drivetrain complaints), 2022 (64%, 14 drivetrain complaints) and 2013 (60%, 24 drivetrain complaints). 9 of the 11 Audi Q7 years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 3 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2021 (30%) and 2019 (32%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2021 (30%) to 2022 (64%), up 34 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2017 drew the most drivetrain complaints (74 of 286 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
2023 has fewer than 25 complaints on record so far, too few to score. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Audi Q7 year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Q7 | high | 48% | 14 | 29 | 6/11 | 3 |
| 2011 Q7 | too few to score | – | 6 | 23 | – | 4 |
| 2012 Q7 | very high | 70% | 19 | 29 | 1/11 | 4 |
| 2013 Q7 | very high | 60% | 24 | 43 | 3/11 | 3 |
| 2014 Q7 | high | 54% | 22 | 45 | 4/11 | 2 |
| 2015 Q7 | high | 50% | 19 | 44 | 5/11 | 2 |
| 2016 Q7 | too few to score | – | 0 | 2 | – | 1 |
| 2017 Q7 | high | 41% | 74 | 319 | 9/11 | 7 |
| 2018 Q7 | high | 42% | 48 | 143 | 8/11 | 3 |
| 2019 Q7 | no elevated signal | 32% | 18 | 62 | 10/11 | 4 |
| 2020 Q7 | high | 43% | 12 | 28 | 7/11 | 5 |
| 2021 Q7 | no elevated signal | 30% | 22 | 75 | 11/11 | 9 |
| 2022 Q7 | very high | 64% | 14 | 25 | 2/11 | 3 |
| 2023 Q7 | too few to score | – | 4 | 16 | – | 3 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Audi Q7 years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Audi Q7 engine recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns on the Audi Q7 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 28 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2014 | 14V516000 | engine and engine cooling | 2013 |
| Jan 2015 | 15V019000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail | 2012 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V660000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2010–2012 |
| May 2017 | 17V298000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2013–2015 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V818000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2010–2012 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V035000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail | 2017–2018 |
| Jul 2022 | 22V516000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2020–2021 |
21 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2016 | 16V519000 | air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive | 2017 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V641000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2017 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V642000 | electrical system: software | 2017 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V648000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2017 |
| Dec 2016 | 16V955000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2017 |
| Feb 2019 | 19V114000 | suspension: front: shock absorber | 2019 |
| Feb 2020 | 20V093000 | air bags: side/window | 2019 |
| Mar 2020 | 20V149000 | steering | 2017–2019 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V658000 | structure: body: roof and pillars | 2018–2020 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V749000 | electrical system | 2021 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V078000 | air bags: air bag/restraint control module: software | 2020–2021 |
| Apr 2021 | 21V295000 | suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly | 2021 |
| Aug 2021 | 21V606000 | seat belts: rear/other: retractor | 2021 |
| Oct 2021 | 21V825000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2022 |
| Jan 2022 | 22V034000 | tires | 2021 |
| Oct 2022 | 22V742000 | back over prevention: display function | 2021 |
| Oct 2022 | 22V806000 | equipment: electrical: infotainment: video (touch)screen/monitor/unit | 2022 |
| Feb 2023 | 23V086000 | equipment: other: labels | 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V212000 | forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera | 2020 |
| Mar 2025 | 25V201000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2021 |
| Dec 2025 | 25V900000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2020–2022 |
What the free pages leave out on the Audi Q7
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Audi Q7
What are the worst years for the Audi Q7?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Audi Q7 years are the 2012 (70% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2022 (64% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2013 (60% of relevant complaints, very high). 9 of 11 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Audi Q7?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Audi Q7 years are the 2021 (30%) and the 2019 (32%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Audi Q7 have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 11 scored years, 286 of 651 relevant NHTSA complaints (44%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022.
Is the Audi Q7 reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 9 of 11 Audi Q7 years we score have an elevated complaint share and 2 do not. Pooled across those years, 44% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Audi Q7?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Audi Q7 years we track, out of 28 in total: 18V818000 (Nov 2018, 2010–2012), 19V035000 (Jan 2019, 2017–2018), 22V516000 (Jul 2022, 2020–2021), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.