2013 Audi Q7 Engine Problems

On XXX, I was driving northbound on US-101 from [XXX] to [XXX] to pick up a family member for an appointment. The vehicle had been operating normally at freeway speed. As traffic slowed for a construction zone near Summerland, I intentionally reduced speed to approximately 20 mph. At that point, I heard a sudden abnormal rotational mechanical noise from the engine compartment, best described as a flapping or rubbing sound. The noise had not been present earlier during the drive. Within moments, the engine lost power and shut down. The vehicle lost propulsion while in traffic, and power steering assist was lost after the engine stopped. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The engine would not restart. Before this incident, I did not observe any meaningful warning of an impending catastrophic engine failure. I did not observe an engine overheating warning, an oil-pressure warning, or any other dashboard warning indicating an imminent engine seizure. Before purchasing the vehicle, and during my ownership, I used Ross-Tech VCDS (Audi/VW-specific diagnostic software) as part of proactive maintenance and monitoring. Nothing identified an impending catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was transported to an independent European repair facility for inspection. The shop determined that the engine is mechanically seized and advised that the precise initiating cause cannot be determined without engine disassembly. An Audi dealership likewise indicated that additional manufacturer-level diagnostic procedures would be required. A case was created, and Audi declined assistance. I am submitting this complaint because the engine failed suddenly during normal operation without a meaningful advance warning, resulting in an immediate loss of propulsion in traffic. I believe this type of unexpected catastrophic engine failure presents a potential safety concern if it occurs while the vehicle is being operated on a public roadway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

NHTSA ID

11754103

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

Limp mode. started shortly after my purchase in May 2024. On highway and would go into limp mode, almost got hit and caused danger to other traffic. thought it was fixed and it happened again. went to pull out and make a left hand turn and had no rpms again, limp mode. Almost got t-boned. multiple electric issues. drivers side light. windows not wanting to work at times.

NHTSA ID

11706022

Incident

Jul 17, 2024

Lights on dash were flashing in cluster which made it look like it was low tire pressure. I had a portable air pump which showed tires were fine. The vehicle went into some kind of limp mode which prevented the vehicle from driving the speed limit. It was taken to Auto service center. The diagnosis was Engine failure due to a burnt valve. It's been confirmed through the dealership, mechanics and consumers that is a common problem with this particular make and model vehicle. This engine failure left me on the side of the road and not feeling safe at all while being approximately 3 hours from my home. As an Audi owner I'm was so disappointed to be told that I needed a new motor even though it still runs in limp mode. This vehicle has less than 150k miles. It was the best European vehicle I ever owned until it wasn't. Bad call and poor quality control Audi!

NHTSA ID

11687287

Incident

Apr 29, 2025

Lately, I have been adding coolant to my car - 2013 Audi Q& TDI and Motor Oil for unknown reasons why it was happening. It started last year, 2023. I thought it was a normal thing that the oil level and coolant level kept on getting depleted. Comparing with my other car, i.e. a 2016 Toyota Avalon, I never encountered these problems My Audi car was serviced sometime 2018 and apparently all gaskets of the engine were replaced after I complained about severe leaking of oil inside my car garage. Until I went online to get if there were similar complaints of other users of this car were reported. My friend's car of same Audi model was also experiencing the same issue. I was also observing a similar gas smell inside my Audi car, whenever I start the engine and my air vent is not closed for couple of months. When I had it serviced to check my vent filter, the mechanic also noticed that there was leaking oil near the filter housing. The brake power is so low despite having it serviced for brake assist recall sometime in 2016 despite new Brake pads were installed. I also noticed that the brake fluid was getting lower sometime July 2023. Looking at the list of recalls - these complaints were not addressed by those 3 recalls reported to NHTSA.

NHTSA ID

11571639

Incident

Feb 13, 2024

coolant leaks is a major concern and I have been asked by local INDY on water pump replacement to be done. Its costing me around 1500$. With so common issues, i think Audi should recall and substitute on their own case rather than every customer paying it.

NHTSA ID

11556802

Incident

Nov 24, 2023

HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, WITHIN A MONTH OF BUYING IT. SAID IT WAS NORMAL, NOW ITS ON A WEEK TO WEEK BASIS WITH PUTTING OIL IN THE CAR AND ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT COMES ON WHILE MOVING AND STAYS ON UNTIL OIL IS PUT IN.

NHTSA ID

11289500

Incident

Aug 30, 2013

Mileage

45,000 mi

THE CAR BURNS OIL SO MUCH THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY TOP OFF THE OIL EVERY FEW DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP STATES, THE ENGINE IS BIG AND THIS IS NORMAL. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL, AND PERHAPS SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING ON AND COULD IT POSE A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CERTIFIED USED CAR IN 2016.

NHTSA ID

11277791

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

98,168 mi

RUMBLING SOUND FROM A COLD START. REPORTED PROBLEM TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEN CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN APRIL 2015 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL SOUND. NOW ENGINE FAILURE WITH TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS. THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED BY AUDI IN MARCH 2015 FOR THIS ISSUE AND YET NOTHING WAS EVER MENTIONED. NOW REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $12,000.

NHTSA ID

11209515

Incident

Apr 24, 2015

Mileage

35,725 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED POORLY AFTER COMPLETING A US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MANDATED "FIX" OF DIESEL (3.0 LITER TDI, ENGINE CODE CNRB) EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT RELATED TO VW/AUDI EMISSIONS CHEATING. THERE IS NOW SPORADIC LAG IN ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, OR ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I HAVE PULLED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND THE POWER DELIVERY WAS NON-EXISTENT, FOLLOWED BY, AFTER A 1 SECOND DELAY, RAPID OVER ACCELERATION. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN MANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE REDUCTANT METERING MODULE FAILURE THAT HAS CAUSED DANGEROUS DELAYS AND LAGS IN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ID

11203177

Incident

Apr 21, 2019

Mileage

82,000 mi

WITHIN 300 MILES OF THE DIESEL RECALL MODIFICATION THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT 70 MPH AND SLOWLY DRIFTED TO LOWER SPEED. ADDITIONALLY THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR (IT STAYED IN 8TH). AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING IT OFF A "RESET ACCOURED" AND THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ANOTHER 300 MILES. THE CAR AGAIN LOST POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AUDI AND THEY "CLEANED" THE ERG VALVE. THE LOSS OF POWER AND LACK OF TRANSMISSION ACCRUED AGAIN AT ABOUT 300 ,450 AND 600 MILES PAST THE EVENT OF AUDI WORKING ON THE ERGT. ALL OF THESE EVENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND WHEN THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED ON TRIPS IN EXCESS OF 300 MILES

NHTSA ID

11066133

Incident

Jan 21, 2018

Mileage

109,000 mi

I AM DISHA AND I BOUGHT AN AUDI Q7 FOR RS. 94 LAKHS FROM BENGALURU, TWO YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS BACK. THE REASON WAS ITS SPEED AS I HAD TO TRAVEL TO DIFFERENT CITIES AND IT WAS A BUSINESS REQUIREMENT TOO. I BOUGHT TWO MORE AUDIS FOR MY BUSINESS OFFICIALS AND PURPOSE. BUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH AUDI IS VERY BAD. THE FIRST AUDI CAR OF MINE IS Q7 AND IT IS A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS OLD. I HAVE SPENT RS. 45 LAKHS ON MY Q7 ALREADY FOR IT TO RUN EFFICIENTLY. CURRENTLY, I GAVE THE AUDI FOR SERVICE PURPOSES A MONTH AGO AND I HAVE STILL NOT GOT IT BACK IN SPITE OF ME PAYING THE FULL AMOUNT. THE EXCUSE IS THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GET THE AUTOMOBILE PARTS AND IT'S STILL TO REACH INDIA FROM OVERSEAS. I NOW CURSE MYSELF FOR MY FLEET OF AUDI. I HAVE A Q3 AND AN A4 TOO WHICH ARE ALSO THE SAME AND I HAD SPENT HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THEM JUST TO KEEP THEM RUNNING. ALONG WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR, HIGH MAINTENANCE COST AND BAD AFTER SALES AND DEALERSHIP SERVICES I STILL THOUGHT OF KEEPING MY CARS. BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR BACK AFTER GIVING IT FOR SERVICING. SO I REGRET MY DECISION OF BUYING THE AUDI CARS AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY SUCH CARS OR ANY OF AUDI CARS AT ALL. MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS WOMAN OF BENGALURU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10760121

Incident

May 29, 2015