2017 Audi Q7 Problems & Complaints

Avoid12.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Q7 at the same age

Owners have filed 320 complaints about the 2017 Audi Q7 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 12.2× as many as a typical Q7 model year at the same age, which makes the 2017 one of the Q7 years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the lights (133 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles). 7 recalls cover this model year.

320complaints
7recalls
7crashes
3fires
10injuries
0deaths

Most common 2017 Audi Q7 problems

  • Lights~67,000 miles
    13342%
  • Engine & cooling~57,000 miles
    6119%
  • Electrical system~64,000 miles
    5317%
  • Suspension~7,000 miles
    3310%
  • Other / not specified~17,000 miles
    3110%
  • Steering~32,000 miles
    196%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~21,000 miles
    196%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~120,000 miles
    103%
  • Brakes~10,000 miles
    93%
  • Wheels & tires~16,000 miles
    72%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~4,000 miles
    62%
  • Air bags~40,000 miles
    62%
  • Body & structure~7,000 miles
    62%
  • Seat belts~32,000 miles
    41%
  • Stability & traction control~18,000 miles
    31%
  • Driver assistance~0 miles
    31%
  • Speed control & acceleration~34,000 miles
    21%
  • Locks & latches~70,000 miles
    21%
  • Seats~100,000 miles
    10%

Share of the 320 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 →

2017 Audi Q7 recalls (7)

Steering

NHTSA recall 20V-149 · Mar 16, 2020 · 229 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8 and 2017-2019 Audi Q7 vehicles. The bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020.

Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail

NHTSA recall 19V-035 · Jan 16, 2019 · 74,881 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Seat belts › Pretensioner

NHTSA recall 16V-955 · Dec 29, 2016 · 5,947 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017.

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 16V-648 · Sep 8, 2016 · 8 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured November 11, 2015, to November 23, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist control unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA recall 16V-642 · Sep 6, 2016 · 79,895 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Seats › Mid/rear assembly

NHTSA recall 16V-641 · Sep 6, 2016 · 19,205 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to July 10, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the third row seat back may move forward under load, such as in a frontal collision.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional support bracket to the seat, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Show 1 more recall

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 16V-519 · Jul 8, 2016 · 14,535 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to May 8, 2016. Due to a software issue within the air bag control module, the frontal air bags may deploy with more force than required in certain crashes.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

What 2017 Audi Q7 owners say

Lights all 133 →

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, a message regarding the exterior passenger's side marker light was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Malfunction System. Contact Service" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown software needed to be updated; however, the dealer later informed the contact that the front passenger's side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. …

80,000 miles · Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side marker warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic with a failing driver's side marker. The contact was informed that the driver's side marker needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at night, the failure was a safety issue. In addition, the contact stated that the dinging from the sensor was a distraction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

96,000 miles · May 2025

Engine & cooling all 61 →

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating while driving. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The add oil indicator light was illuminated. The contact purchased 4 to 5 additional quarts of oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was working as designed and there were no leaks found. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again for an oil consumption test. The contact was informed the vehicle was consuming 1 quart of oil. The recommendation was to install a condenser breather. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

57,000 miles · Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 40 MPH, the front end started shaking violently, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The following messages "Drive Malfunction and Oil Consumption" were displayed. The contact immediately pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine was faulty due to oil consumption and needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

108,000 miles · Dec 2024

Electrical system all 53 →

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, a message regarding the exterior passenger's side marker light was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Malfunction System. Contact Service" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown software needed to be updated; however, the dealer later informed the contact that the front passenger's side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. …

80,000 miles · Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side marker warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic with a failing driver's side marker. The contact was informed that the driver's side marker needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at night, the failure was a safety issue. In addition, the contact stated that the dinging from the sensor was a distraction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

96,000 miles · May 2025

2017 Audi Q7 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo8-speed automaticAWD20 / 25 / 22
3.0L 6-cyl supercharged8-speed automaticAWD19 / 25 / 21

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Audi Q7 a good car?

Based on 320 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Q7 rates avoid: 12.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Q7 at the same age. It is one of the Q7 years we suggest avoiding. 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 2017 Audi Q7?

The lights — 133 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about turn signal › bulbs. Next are the engine & cooling (61) and electrical system (53).

How many recalls does the 2017 Audi Q7 have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2017 Audi Q7, the most recent from March 16, 2020 (steering). 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 2017 Audi Q7 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 32,000 miles; 60% 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.