Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle has adaptive cruise control with something called "predictive control." The occurrence happened on I-40 in New Mexico with a 75mph speed limit. I went to pass a semi and a pickup truck followed me into the passing lane. Both lanes were clear ahead for at least a tenth of a mile. As I got to the front of the semi, we reached an exit off the right lane. The Q7 slammed on the brakes - not slowed down, it literally slammed on the brakes. Luckily I reacted to hit the gas pedal to override the cruise control and the pickup truck driver reacted by slamming on his brakes. But a simple pass could have resulted in a disastrous accident solely because of the vehicle. I had some of these issues earlier in my trip, but not to the degree of the above incident. It was most common when passing near any intersection, including exit ramps and emergency vehicle cross-overs. …
I own a 2025 Audi Q7 and have experienced repeated malfunctions related to the vehicle's driver assistance and safety systems. The vehicle frequently displays warnings such as "Driving Assist Not Available" and other safety system errors. These issues started while the vehicle was still relatively new and have continued intermittently. The warnings appear while driving and indicate that important driver assistance systems are not functioning properly. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership multiple times for inspection. However, the dealership often reported that they could not duplicate the problem or that no fault codes were found. Despite this, the warnings continue to appear and the problem remains unresolved. …
I am reaching out to raise a serious safety concern regarding the Audi Pre Sense feature in 2023 Audi models. This feature has caused sudden, unexpected braking on both freeways and internal roads, creating a significant hazard for drivers and passengers. There appears to be no permanent way to disable this feature, and its malfunction poses a critical risk of causing accidents rather than preventing them. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue and ensure that manufacturers provide a safe and reliable solution, including an option to disable the feature if needed.
Car was parked, no cars or objects within approx. 40 feet (to rear). Started car and placed in Reverse. Backed up about 3 feet and brakes activated automatically and fully. Warning lights flashed on the dash. Car was immobilized. Shifted to Drive and pulled forward. Shifted to reverse and the same thing occurred again. Repeated two additional times with same result. On the fifth time we backed up normally and without incident. Did not ever shut the ignition off. It was raining at the time.
My car has suddenly tried to stop in the middle of an interstate highway. It happens when the adaptive cruise control is active. Even though the lane in front of the car is clear, a warning sign appears in the dash that the pathway is obstructed and the car tries to stop quickly. This has happened on this vehicle four times now. It happened on my previous Audi as well. At that time, the car was taken off the highway and the dealer would not return it to me for a period of six weeks. During this last incident, the dealer said that they searched the information in the car. I had provided the odometer reading and date to the dealer when it happened. I was told that there was no information found about any malfunction. Of course the car thinks that there is an obstruction there in front of me and thinks it is properly functioning and now error message is created. …
I drove on [redacted] from Los Angeles towards San Diego in the morning. I followed the traffic in the middle lane and turned on the ACC, including the lane-keep assist, at the same time. The speed was set at 78 mph, but the traffic was moving faster than that. The distance was set to level 3 for ACC auto brake. After passing a speed limit sign, the head-up display suddenly showed a speed limit warning light, and at the same time, the vehicle suddenly braked and reduced speed to 65 mph. The vehicle behind me almost crashed into me. The ACC didn't behave the same way as in the past, and I didn't receive any notice from the dealer or manufacturer about this significant change. This could definitely be a major problem when using ACC in traffic. …
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that the rear-view mirrors on the driver's side failed to indicate when another vehicle, person, or object was nearby the vehicle. The passenger's side rear-view mirror's audible alarm occasionally erroneously alerted the driver that there was a vehicle, a person, or an object nearby the vehicle. The infotainment screen occasionally blacked out, and the following day, the screen activated but failed to finish uploading all the systems and functions. The back-over prevention camera alarm made abnormal sounds compared to the normal sound. The infotainment center intermittently failed to display the icon indicating that the key was in the ignition after the vehicle had been started. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The contact went forward and sustained a concussion, and blurred vision and medical attention was provided. The emergency brake malfunction message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
Related recalls (4)
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV.
Forward collision avoidance › Sensing system › Camera
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020 Q7 vehicles. Incompatibility between the front camera control software and the heating element used for the front camera on the windshield may cause the heating element to overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will update the control software and replace the heater element for the front camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023.
Back over prevention › Display function
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5,…
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi Q7 years have collision avoidance problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (15), 2025 (9), 2019 (7) and 2018 (6) model years. Collision Avoidance complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Audi Q7 collision avoidance problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 25V-900 (camera, Dec 19, 2025); 23V-212 (camera, Mar 29, 2023); 22V-742 (display function, Oct 5, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi Q7 collision avoidance problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles; 71% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the warnings (17 mentions), followed by the automatic emergency braking (15).
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.