RoadVitals

2011 Audi Q7 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Sep 10, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 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

  • Visibility731.8%
  • Fuel system522.7%
  • Engine29.1%
  • Electrical29.1%
  • Steering14.5%
  • Tires & wheels14.5%
  • Interior & seats14.5%
  • Brakes14.5%
  • Airbags14.5%
  • Other / unspecified14.5%

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Passenger windshield wiper snapped off. Light rain and also driving at normal interstate speed.

NHTSA ID 11549884 · filed Oct 13, 2023

Driving on a Saturday evening when it started raining. Wipers automatically engaged, suddenly saw passenger side blade warp then snap off and fly off the to the side of the street causing the driver behind me to swerve almost causing an accident. I pulled over immediately, to retrieve the piece to try and determine what happened. Saw that it just snapped off and flew off without any notice.

NHTSA ID 11539960 · filed Aug 21, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The Bosch CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failed suddenly at interstate speed (65-70mph) as I was driving up a hill in 3 lanes of traffic. The car stalled immediately and lost all motive power. I had to limp across 3 lanes of traffic to get to the shoulder right away, risking collision from passing vehicles. I could provide the damaged pump for inspection if needed. It's a common failure of the CP4 design, disintegrating and pushing tiny metal shards throughout the fuel system including injectors. The CP4 has been recalled on many vehicles previously. The problem has been diagnosed by the Audi dealership and confirmed the Bosch CP4 pump failed and destroyed the entire fuel system. The car has been dealership maintained since new and had no warning signs of failure, or lights. It was running perfectly prior to this incident. Because of the location of the incident there was a 5 hour delay in roadside assistance, in which my family sat on the side of the road.

NHTSA ID 11620539 · filed Oct 18, 2024

The smell of gasoline out side on the left and the right behind driver seat. Please help me. I searched on YouTube alot of car audi brand recall to fix the issue. They said cracked and leaked the cap of filter fuel pump.

NHTSA ID 11612006 · filed Sep 1, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO AUDI'S ADBLUE (NOX) SYSTEM. THE NOX SENSOR FAILED, WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THE WARNING ALERT STATES THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHIN 600 MILES. THE NOX SENSOR MUST BE REPLACE; OTHERWISE, THE CAR WILL NOT RUN DUE TO THE SOFTWARE LOCK OUT TRIGGERED BY THE SENSOR. I AM FORCED TO REPAIR THE CAR DESPITE THE FACT THE TDI ADBLUE SYSTEM NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AS ADVERTISED BY VW/AUDI. IN MY VIEW, VW/AUDI SHOULD REPLACE THE SENSOR OR VW/AUDI SHOULD OFFER A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY COST RELATED TO THE TDI ADBLUE SYSTEM THAT OCCURRED WHILE THE COURT CASE IS PENDING.

NHTSA ID 10905910 · filed Sep 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE FROM HIGH TO LOW AND THEN BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,700.

NHTSA ID 10631921 · filed Sep 9, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED A NEW AUDI Q7 S-LINE IN 2011. MULTIPLE REPAIRS AND RECALLS DURING AND AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD. ELECTRICAL IS PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC. CHANGED FIRST SENSOR DOOR HANDLE IN 2014, UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, WITH JUST OVER 70,000, ALL FOUR HANDLES FAILED, HAD TO REPLACE NEW BATTERY AND ALL FOUR HANDLES, TOTAL COST OVER $2,500. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND IF YOU SEARCH YOU'LL FIND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, SO I CALLED AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS DEALER-MAINTAINED AND REPAIRED, WITH ALL RECORDS, BUT THEY'VE BEEN "RESEARCHING MY INQUIRY" FOR OVER A MONTH NOW WITH NO DECISION. NOT WHAT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED OF A "PREMIUM" CAR BRAND. RECOMMEND THEY ISSUE A TSB

NHTSA ID 11163117 · filed Dec 22, 2018

THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO AUDIS ADBLUE(NOX) SYSTEM. WE RECIEVED A FAULT ON A ROAD TRIP. IT STATED CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON WITHIN 600 MILES. IT STARTED TO COUNT DOWN. AFTER 3 DEALERSHIP VISITS THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FIRST PART TO REPLACE IS A NOX SENSOR TO THE COST OF 1300 DOLLARS. I REFUSED AS I DIDN'T HAVE THAT AMOUNT. SO NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT CANT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE IT WONT TURN ON AND COMPLY WITH FEDERAL EMISSIONS. I FEEL THAT IF THERE IS A PART HAVING TO DO WITH FEDERAL EMISSIONS THEN AUDI SHOULD HAVE TO BE FORCED TO REPLACE IT LIKE THEY WOULD A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OR NOT DISABLE THE VEHICLE IN CASE I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!!!!!! AUDI SHOULD REMOVE THAT PROGRAMMING, GIVEN THE FACT THAT IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY I WOULD APPRECIATE THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE DRIVING FOR MONTHS OR YEARS(IF NEED BE) IF THE COUNTRY IS LACKING INFRASTRUCTURE. ANOTHER SCENARIO WOULD BE IF I DECIDE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE SOUTHERN TIP OF SOUTH AMERICA. I WOULD HATE FOR MY CAR TO BE STRANDED BECAUSE OF A NOT SO CRITICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10731421 · filed Jul 1, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TODAY I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND FROM MY BRAKES AND IT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. AND MY STEERING IS ALSO GOT HARDENED A BIT. IS THERE A RECALL CAMPAIN FOR MY 2011 Q7 CAR FOR BRAKE AND STEERING ISSUE? I'VE FOUND OUT THAT 2012 2013 AND 2017 MODELS HAD RECALLS.

NHTSA ID 11362330 · filed Oct 2, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRES PURCHASED FROM LIBERTY TIRE AND BRAKE ON 05/01/14 WERE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2008-2009 WITH ONLY 3-9 MONTHS OF WARRANTY LEFT. ON OUR WAY HOME FROM OUR FAMILY VACATION FROM THE FL KEYS ON 07/06/14 ONE TIRE SEPARATED AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE OFF BALANCE. WE PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES TO CONTINUE OUR 500 MILE JOURNEY HOME. DUE TO LIMITED TRUNK SPACE WITH LUGGAGE AND OUR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO BRING THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK WITH US WHICH NEXEN WILL REFUND US. HOWEVER WE WOULD ALSO LIKE A REFUND FOR THE OTHER THREE TIRES MANUFACTURE IN 2008-2009 WHO HAVE BEEN SOLD TO US WITHOUT THE AGE DISCLOSURE BY LIBERTY TIRE & BRAKE. THE RETAILER HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AND WE HAVE SINCE REPORTED HIM TO THE BBB, CONSUMER PROTECTION, AND SENT A LETTER OF DEMAND FROM OUR MILITARY LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE HERE IN FT. STEWART, GA. WE ARE REPORTING THIS PER OUR TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH REF. # [XXX] ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR PURCHASE RECEIPTS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10637660 · filed Sep 19, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SEAT BACK PANEL FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS CAME OFF DUE SUMMER TEMPERATURE. NOW ELECTRICAL PANELS ARE EXPOSED IF KIDS JUST PULL OFF THE BACK PANEL.

NHTSA ID 11354039 · filed Sep 9, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TODAY I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND FROM MY BRAKES AND IT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. AND MY STEERING IS ALSO GOT HARDENED A BIT. IS THERE A RECALL CAMPAIN FOR MY 2011 Q7 CAR FOR BRAKE AND STEERING ISSUE? I'VE FOUND OUT THAT 2012 2013 AND 2017 MODELS HAD RECALLS.

NHTSA ID 11362330 · filed Oct 2, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I AND FOUR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 2 AND 9 WERE DRIVING A 2011 AUDI Q7 ON A RIGHT LANE OF A STREET. WE HAD A GREEN LIGHT AND ANOTHER DRIVER IN A HONDA MINIVAN FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF US WITHOUT YIELDING AND THOUGH I HIT THE BRAKE IMMEDIATELY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING HEAD ON INTO THE OTHER CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. I AM TOLD THAT MY AUDI IS PROBABLY TOTALED BUT WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR THE OFFICIAL RESULTS. WE WERE ALL WEARING SEATBELTS BUT THE AIRBAGS ON MY AUDI NEVER DEPLOYED. WE ALL HIT OUR HEAD BACKWARDS. I HAVE A SPRAINED KNEE AND PAIN ON MY NECK, SHOULDERS AND BACK; ONE CHILD SEATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AGE 9, HAS CHEST AND WAIST PAIN, ANOTHER CHILD, AGE 6, SEATED BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT, HAD A CONCUSSION AND PAIN ON HIS HEAD AND RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER; ANOTHER 9 YEAR OLD, SEATED IN THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT, HAD A CUT IN HIS NOSE AND WAS BLEEDING, NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT AND ALSO HAS A NECK AND BACK PAIN; A 2 YEAR OLD HAD SOME CUTS AND BRUISES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE NECK CAUSED BY THE SEAT BELT AND HAD PAIN ON THE BACK OF THE NECK. WE WERE ALL TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE AND TREATED. THE BURNING QUESTION EVERYONE HAD WAS "HOW COME THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOY?". WHEN WE ASKED AUDI, WE WERE TOLD IT HAPPENS EVEN IN THE WORST ACCIDENTS AS LONG AS THE SENSOR DOES NOT SENSE DANGER. OUR CAR'S FRONT CRUMBLED INWARDS AND IT IS BEING CONSIDERED TO BE TOTALED, IF THAT IS NOT DANGER, I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO US FOR THE SENSOR TO SENSE DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10507364 · filed Apr 6, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRES PURCHASED FROM LIBERTY TIRE AND BRAKE ON 05/01/14 WERE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2008-2009 WITH ONLY 3-9 MONTHS OF WARRANTY LEFT. ON OUR WAY HOME FROM OUR FAMILY VACATION FROM THE FL KEYS ON 07/06/14 ONE TIRE SEPARATED AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE OFF BALANCE. WE PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES TO CONTINUE OUR 500 MILE JOURNEY HOME. DUE TO LIMITED TRUNK SPACE WITH LUGGAGE AND OUR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO BRING THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK WITH US WHICH NEXEN WILL REFUND US. HOWEVER WE WOULD ALSO LIKE A REFUND FOR THE OTHER THREE TIRES MANUFACTURE IN 2008-2009 WHO HAVE BEEN SOLD TO US WITHOUT THE AGE DISCLOSURE BY LIBERTY TIRE & BRAKE. THE RETAILER HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AND WE HAVE SINCE REPORTED HIM TO THE BBB, CONSUMER PROTECTION, AND SENT A LETTER OF DEMAND FROM OUR MILITARY LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE HERE IN FT. STEWART, GA. WE ARE REPORTING THIS PER OUR TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH REF. # [XXX] ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR PURCHASE RECEIPTS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10637660 · filed Sep 19, 2014

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

Data on this page last refreshed .