2009 Audi Q7 Problems & Complaints

Better than average52% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Q7 at the same age

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2009 Audi Q7 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 52% fewer than a typical Q7 model year at the same age, making the 2009 one of the better Q7 years. The most reported problem area is the fuel & propulsion system (9 complaints, typically around 124,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

21complaints
3recalls
0crashes
1fires
2injuries
0deaths

Most common 2009 Audi Q7 problems

  • Fuel & propulsion system~124,000 miles
    943%
  • Engine & cooling~120,000 miles
    419%
  • Electrical system~74,000 miles
    314%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~89,000 miles
    314%
  • Speed control & acceleration~124,000 miles
    210%
  • Brakes~25,000 miles
    210%
  • Air bags~105,000 miles
    210%
  • Body & structure~74,000 miles
    210%
  • Other / not specified~124,000 miles
    210%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~124,000 miles
    210%
  • Seats
    15%

Share of the 21 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Audi Q7 complaints by model year

’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’259533212923294346453201446328752016217
Owner complaints per model year, Audi Q7. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Q7 years: 2024, 2011, 2010. Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2025, 2019. Compare all years →

2009 Audi Q7 recalls (3)

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 23V-086 · Feb 15, 2023 · 12,100 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2009-2015 Q7 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded.

Remedy: Dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct rear GAWR on top of the existing safety certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 18V-818 · Nov 19, 2018 · 5,987 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 16V-660 · Sep 13, 2016 · 143,214 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 Audi Q7:

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

NHTSA investigation EA11003 · opened Feb 7, 2011 · closed Mar 27, 2015

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information,…

What 2009 Audi Q7 owners say

Fuel & propulsion system

I purchased this vehicle used on 7/14/21 from Audi of Des Moines. Not even 3 days after purchasing, the rear view mirror fell down, the back of the front driver and passenger seats came off, the car had been hail damaged at the dealership but they didn't inspect the entire car so I have to replace the windshield and front license plate plastic grill attachment. However, my biggest concern is the smell of Gasoline after I drive the vehicle, every time. There is a strong odor of gasoline near both rear doors/wheels that can be smelled after stepping out of the vehicle and the engine has been lagging. I have filled the gas tank 3 times and each time used premium gasoline. I can't get any information as to whether or not my specific vehicle has had the 2 fuel recalls checked and/or serviced. I am beyond frustrated and feel like I was sold a lemon. …

Jul 2021

I have a 2009 Audi Q7 diesel bought from dealership March 2019 after it had been sold to the public once Audi did emissions recalls , after I bought this vehicle had issues with it 10 days after I bought it I took it back dealership wants to have nothing to do with helping me even though it still has an extended warranty for 4 years more from the manufacturer, I have a flashing glowplug and limp mode vehicle that when driving it and glow plug goes on while I am on the road vehicle slows down from going 65mph to approximately under 15mph in just seconds engine loses power and its a safety hazard while on the freeway . Audi dealer claims I have fuel contamination but when asked to prove to me this through fuel being sent to the lab they have no such lab results . …

124,000 miles · Mar 2019

Engine & cooling

I was driving my 2009 Audi Q7 last June 27,2021 at 5 pm in interstate 5N my speed is 70mph when i heard a beep sound , Air bag and Hood light on flashes in the dash board and i decided to pull over on the shoulder lane when my wife noticed that smoke coming out in front of the engine, i stopped the engine but i can`t pull the key and my set belt locked to where i can`t release it , my wife help me to get out from the set belt and she managed gave forced to her door just to open it , I was able to reached the lever to open the hood where smoke & fire coming out from the engine , I`m trying to control the fire but fire spread out rapidly inside the car and less than a minute fire covered the entire body of Audi Q7. I can send the pictures if needed or upon request...

Jun 2021 · fire · 2 injuries

I have a 2009 Audi Q7 diesel bought from dealership March 2019 after it had been sold to the public once Audi did emissions recalls , after I bought this vehicle had issues with it 10 days after I bought it I took it back dealership wants to have nothing to do with helping me even though it still has an extended warranty for 4 years more from the manufacturer, I have a flashing glowplug and limp mode vehicle that when driving it and glow plug goes on while I am on the road vehicle slows down from going 65mph to approximately under 15mph in just seconds engine loses power and its a safety hazard while on the freeway . Audi dealer claims I have fuel contamination but when asked to prove to me this through fuel being sent to the lab they have no such lab results . …

124,000 miles · Mar 2019

Electrical system

Tailgate on my car does not open all the way up like it used to, sometimes when it stops and someone tries to reach inside it closes by itself, this happened when my wife was trying to take something out of the trunk. If I did not grab the tailgate and stop it could crush my wife's hands. Called Audi to ask if there is a recall for something like that, they told me that there is none.

74,000 miles · Dec 2014

Car bose amplifier receives water from panorama roof damaging the entire pins system, GPS and Bluetooth system.

Jan 2020

2009 Audi Q7 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel6-speed automaticAWD17 / 24 / 20
3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic4WD/AWD14 / 20 / 16
4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic4WD/AWD13 / 18 / 15

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Audi Q7 a good car?

Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Q7 rates better than average: 52% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Q7 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Audi Q7?

The fuel & propulsion system — 9 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and electrical system (3).

How many recalls does the 2009 Audi Q7 have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2009 Audi Q7, the most recent from February 15, 2023 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Audi Q7?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2011 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2025 and 2019. See the full Audi Q7 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2009 Audi Q7 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.