2009 Audi Q7 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Audi Q7, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system930.0%
- Engine413.3%
- Visibility310.0%
- Electrical310.0%
- Airbags26.7%
- Brakes26.7%
- Body & structure26.7%
- Powertrain (other)26.7%
- Driver assistance26.7%
- Interior & seats13.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. Of course the dealership will not help me because they sold it as is no return policy. Mind you that stated that all they did to it was wash it and clean the inside prior to selling it to me and did not do any kind of thorough inspection.
FUEL LEAKING TOP OF LEFT SIDE FUEL TANK AT FUEL PUMP CONNECTIONS
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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...
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 . THEY JUST CLAIM I HAD THIS IN ORDER NOT TO HONOR MY WARRANTY WHICH IS VERY FISHY SINCE I BOUGHT VEHICLE ONCE THEY SOLD IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC AFTER RECALL HAD BEEN SUPPOSIVELY FIXED FOR EMISSIONS. I HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND INJECTORS AS WELL ALL PAID OUT OF POCKET VEHICLE STILL STATES CODE POO88 AND CODE P0087 CHANGED FUEL FILTER ALSO AND NOW CATALYC CONVERTER CODE IS ON ALSO I FEEL THEY NEED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY SINCE FUEL WAS NEVER TESTED THROUGH A LAB AND ITS JUST BY WORD OF MOUTH THAT THEY CLAIM I HAD CONTAMINATION . VEHICLE STILL BEING WORKED ON BUT ALL COSTS OUT ARE OUT OF MY POCKET EVENTHOUGH MY WARRANTY BOOKLET FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATES I SHOULD BE COVERED FOR FUEL RAILS, PUMPS, CATALYC CONVERTE ETC..
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE RAIN WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLEW OFF. I ORDERED A NEW PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND IT WORKED FOR A MONTH. THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER FROZE DURING USE, CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER TO HIT IT.
THE PASSANGER WIPER ARM SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR BOSE AMPLIFIER RECEIVES WATER FROM PANORAMA ROOF DAMAGING THE ENTIRE PINS SYSTEM, GPS AND BLUETOOTH SYSTEM.
SUNROOF DRAIN LINE CONNECTOR, WATER LEAK ON TOP OF THE RADIO BOSE AMPLIER
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND IGNITOR REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE IN AUGUST 2015. I LIVE IN GLEN ST. MARY, FLORIDA. THE COMPUTER SHOWED FAILURE OF AIR BAG ON DASH BOARD. I HAVE DEALER RECORDS OF REPAIR. THIS WAS NOT A FUNCTION OF AN ACCIDENT.
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER PERFORMED A FUNCTION TEST. THE TEST FAILED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY AIR BAG MODULE THAT HAD AN ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT COST OF $1294.12 I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE AS SAFETY COMPONENTS WERE NOT REPLACED BEYOND THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES WARRANTIES. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE TOOK OUR 2009 AUDI Q7 IN TO CHANGE THE HEADLAMP. WHILE THERE, AUDIT INFORMED US THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE SURPRISED GIVEN THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 25,037 MILES ON IT. AUDI INFORMED US THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE Q7 AND THAT THE BRAKES ARE HAVING A SHORTER USEFUL LIFE THAN EXPECTED. WE DID NOT HAVE ANY INJURIES, BUT WE WERE CHARGED $1,448.84 FOR AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE AUDI'S PROBLEM. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS DRIVING Q7'S WHO MAY NOT REALIZE THAT THE BRAKES COULD FAIL AROUND 25,000 MILES. *TR
I STARTED THE LEMON LAW PROCESS A YEAR AGO FOR THIS VEHICLE THINKING THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ONLY RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING IS A DESIGN FEATURE, THEY EVEN CALLED IT A "SAFETY FEATURE" - BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF YOUR FOOT TOUCHES THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE YOUR ARE ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE WILL SHUTDOWN TO AN IDLE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, ALLOWING THE TRAFFIC THAT YOU ARE PULLING OUT INTO TO ALMOST CRASH INTO YOU. WITH AS MANY CLOSE CALLS AS I HAVE HAD, I AM CERTAIN THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS (AND PERHAPS DEATHS) REPORTED WITH THIS VEHICLE WHERE MAYBE THE DRIVER DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND, OF COURSE, NOTHING WAS EVER FOUND TO BE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLES BECAUSE IT WAS WORKING AS INTENDED! LET ME EXPLAIN MY OWN SITUATION A LITTLE BETTER. FIRST, I DO NOT DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. BUT, SUBCONSCIOUSLY (I HAVE DISCOVERED), AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES (WHEN I ALWAYS NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMED TO OCCUR) I DO PUT MY LEFT FOOT OVER THE BRAKE WHILE MY RIGHT FOOT IS OVER THE GAS PEDAL. I DO THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO BE READY TO PRESS EITHER ONE WITHOUT ANY HESITATION IF NEEDED. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN TURNING LEFT INTO BUSY TRAFFIC, OR PASSING SOMEONE ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. THESE ARE THE TIMES WHEN THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS TO ME. THE PROBLEM IS, OF COURSE, THAT IF I EVEN EVER SO SLIGHTLY TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE COMPUTER SHUTS THE CAR DOWN TO AN IDLE WITH NO POWER, AND INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, MY CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN! AND I CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, AFTER WHICH TIME IT VERY SLOWLY "COMES BACK TO LIFE". NOW THAT I KNOW HOW IT WORKS, IT IS VERY EASY TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS VERY OBVIOUSLY DESIGNED THIS WAY AND IN MY OPINION, IT IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. EDIT: THERE WAS NO OPTION FOR "SOFTWARE" IN THE DROP-DOWN LIST FOR COMPLAINT NAME. BUT THIS IS VERY OBVIOUSLY A SOFTWARE ISSUE. ALSO, DATE OF INCIDENT, SPEED AND MILEAGE ARE N/A, AS IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 12/30/2009. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUNROOF DRAIN LINE CONNECTOR, WATER LEAK ON TOP OF THE RADIO BOSE AMPLIER
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. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 . THEY JUST CLAIM I HAD THIS IN ORDER NOT TO HONOR MY WARRANTY WHICH IS VERY FISHY SINCE I BOUGHT VEHICLE ONCE THEY SOLD IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC AFTER RECALL HAD BEEN SUPPOSIVELY FIXED FOR EMISSIONS. I HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND INJECTORS AS WELL ALL PAID OUT OF POCKET VEHICLE STILL STATES CODE POO88 AND CODE P0087 CHANGED FUEL FILTER ALSO AND NOW CATALYC CONVERTER CODE IS ON ALSO I FEEL THEY NEED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY SINCE FUEL WAS NEVER TESTED THROUGH A LAB AND ITS JUST BY WORD OF MOUTH THAT THEY CLAIM I HAD CONTAMINATION . VEHICLE STILL BEING WORKED ON BUT ALL COSTS OUT ARE OUT OF MY POCKET EVENTHOUGH MY WARRANTY BOOKLET FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATES I SHOULD BE COVERED FOR FUEL RAILS, PUMPS, CATALYC CONVERTE ETC..
WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER. A WARNING ON THE DASH SHOWS "GEARBOX MALFUNCTION" AND THE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. ONCE OVER SO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE CAN BE TURNED OFF, AND THEN RESTARTED. ONCE RESTARTED, NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE VISIBLE AND THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS NORMAL. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE SUMMER MONTHS RATHER THEN WINTER AND IS SPORADIC. SOMETIMES IT WON'T HAPPEN FOR A MONTH. OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN THE SAME TRIP. IT IS DANGEROUS TO TRY AND GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN HIGH TRAFFIC TRAVELING 60+MPH. INTERNET SEARCHES ON ISSUES WITH AUDI GEARBOX MALFUNCTIONS SHOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCORDING TO AUDI ATLANTA THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) EXPLODED. THIS SMALL BUT CONTAINED EXPLOSION WAS CENTERED WITHIN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ITSELF BUT THEN SENT SMALL METAL FRAGMENTS THOROUGH THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM DIESEL FUEL TANK THROUGH THE INJECTORS. DUE TO THIS 10K+ IN PARTS AND 4K+ IN LABOR WAS REQUIRED TO FLUSH THE SYSTEM, REPLACE ALMOST ALL OF THE PARTS IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.
I STARTED THE LEMON LAW PROCESS A YEAR AGO FOR THIS VEHICLE THINKING THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ONLY RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING IS A DESIGN FEATURE, THEY EVEN CALLED IT A "SAFETY FEATURE" - BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF YOUR FOOT TOUCHES THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE YOUR ARE ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE WILL SHUTDOWN TO AN IDLE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, ALLOWING THE TRAFFIC THAT YOU ARE PULLING OUT INTO TO ALMOST CRASH INTO YOU. WITH AS MANY CLOSE CALLS AS I HAVE HAD, I AM CERTAIN THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS (AND PERHAPS DEATHS) REPORTED WITH THIS VEHICLE WHERE MAYBE THE DRIVER DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND, OF COURSE, NOTHING WAS EVER FOUND TO BE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLES BECAUSE IT WAS WORKING AS INTENDED! LET ME EXPLAIN MY OWN SITUATION A LITTLE BETTER. FIRST, I DO NOT DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. BUT, SUBCONSCIOUSLY (I HAVE DISCOVERED), AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES (WHEN I ALWAYS NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMED TO OCCUR) I DO PUT MY LEFT FOOT OVER THE BRAKE WHILE MY RIGHT FOOT IS OVER THE GAS PEDAL. I DO THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO BE READY TO PRESS EITHER ONE WITHOUT ANY HESITATION IF NEEDED. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN TURNING LEFT INTO BUSY TRAFFIC, OR PASSING SOMEONE ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. THESE ARE THE TIMES WHEN THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS TO ME. THE PROBLEM IS, OF COURSE, THAT IF I EVEN EVER SO SLIGHTLY TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE COMPUTER SHUTS THE CAR DOWN TO AN IDLE WITH NO POWER, AND INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, MY CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN! AND I CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, AFTER WHICH TIME IT VERY SLOWLY "COMES BACK TO LIFE". NOW THAT I KNOW HOW IT WORKS, IT IS VERY EASY TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS VERY OBVIOUSLY DESIGNED THIS WAY AND IN MY OPINION, IT IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. EDIT: THERE WAS NO OPTION FOR "SOFTWARE" IN THE DROP-DOWN LIST FOR COMPLAINT NAME. BUT THIS IS VERY OBVIOUSLY A SOFTWARE ISSUE. ALSO, DATE OF INCIDENT, SPEED AND MILEAGE ARE N/A, AS IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 12/30/2009. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. Of course the dealership will not help me because they sold it as is no return policy. Mind you that stated that all they did to it was wash it and clean the inside prior to selling it to me and did not do any kind of thorough inspection.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .