Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car first had a warning "Electrical system: malfunction! Please contact Service." I made a appointment at my Audi dealership 2 days later, but the next day i got more warnings. "Automatic start/stop system: malfunction!" then my power steering was not working. I decided to drive straight to the service department that afternoon, but never made it. In rush hour traffic on a busy street, my Q7 started beeping every warning - "Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle", "Drive system: malfunction! Stop vehicle safely" and the vehicle decreased speed then abruptly turned off. I was so scared that I would get hit by the traffic zooming around me. It wouldn't go into neutral and my parking brake was engaged blinking. I put on my hazard lights and called 911 for traffic assistance while sitting in my car. …
Multiple warnings indicating to contact dealer (Lane departure, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, electric system malfunction, steering malfunction) then a few minutes later transmission failure and engine failure imminent.... attempted to move out of traffic. Luckily, I made it to the right lane before the steering shut down, then the transmission failed (stepping on the gas caused the engine to rev, but no power was delivered to the wheels), and last the car completely died. Had to have it towed to dealership. Dealership confirmed that the starter/generator failed.
1. Steering malfunction, yes. 2. In the course of driving on [redacted] through a mountain pass in Colorado with snow and poor driving conditions, the steering mechanism on the vehicle failed resulting in not being able to maneuver the vehicle out of the lane or off the road safely. If this happened while other vehicles were in front/behind or to the side of us, or if this would have happened in another mountain road without emergency curbing/exits - we could have easily been killed. 3. The vehicle is at the Audi Denver dealership (had to be towed) and they confirmed the code "Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle" that displayed on the panel. 4. No, tried to call Audi but there was a 2 hour wait to talk to someone and even then, not sure I would have reached anyone that could have helped. 5. Warning message "Steering: malfunction! …
02/04/2025 after work I was driving on local street in rush hours, suddenly the display panel popped out the warning message: Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle. Then I found out the wheel couldn't turn right or left any more. I turned on the emergency light immediately and moved my vehicle close to curb pending tow truck. Luckily it was raining evening, traffic was slow at 15~20 MPH, this incident didn't cause crash or injury but blocking the traffic more then one hour for the tow truck. If it happened on highway, I couldn't imagine what the serious fatal accident would be... After the Audi tech inspected, it was the electrical steering failed / the internal control died out--a defective parts.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the passenger's side front and rear wheels struck the curb causing the vehicle to spin out. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was brought to a stop and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack had failed due to a loss of communication with the steering module. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,851.
There is rapid pecking noise / vibration when traveling during all right directional curves in the road. When I head in to a slight curve where the steering wheel only needs to be moved a few degrees to the right, the noise is such that I can feel it around the firewall and footwell of both driver and passenger side not to mention it is very loud and annoying. I notified Bill Jacobs BMW along with the brakes squealing while backing up) where I bought the vehicle and they said to take it to an Audi dealer. I went to Audi of Lexington KY and they were wanting to charge me over 8K to replace the exhaust. I did have the exhaust replaced and new front brakes completely replaced and the issue for both are still present. Very disappointed since I found TWO TSB's relating to my vehicle after paying so much for the work. …
On Thursday, October 30, 2025, when I got seated in my car, put my seat belts on, and put the car in reverse gear to slowly get out of my parking space, it kept on going in reverse and won't stop with break I tried to change the parking mode or drive mode but the steering column would not take any command. After 350 feet driven in reverse, it went into a ditch where it tried to turn it and the car was still in reverse, climbing out of the ditch, damaging another section of the fence, till I could turn off the engine with the ignition switch. It looks that the gear was stuck in reverse and after engine cut off it went back in drive mode. In the meantime, all four sides of the car were damaged and scratched all over, and there was damage on the bottom. Apparently it is electronic malfunction when the gear got stuck in reverse. …
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the power steer malfunction warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering control module and steering gear were faulty and needed to be replaced. The steering module and steering gear were replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V149000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Related recalls (2)
Steering
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.
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi Q7 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (19), 2019 (10), 2018 (7), 2007 (5) and 2021 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Audi Q7 steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 20V-149 (steering, Mar 16, 2020); 16V-648 (electric power assist system, Sep 8, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi Q7 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles; 65% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (1 mentions).
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.