2017 Audi Q7 Exterior lighting Problems

On my 2017 Audi Q7 with 93169 miles, I am getting the error message along with a warning lamp that states: "Front right side marker light defective." The light actually works however I am getting this message. If the light were to actually go out it would affect the safety of my vehicle. I hear this is a common issue with the 2017 Audi Q7s and is very costly to fix at the dealer because the entire headlight assembly is usually replaced by the dealer. My vehicle is available for inspection if needed.

NHTSA ID

11748055

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

Defective side‑marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Component: Exterior Lighting / Headlights Make/Model/Year: 2017 Audi Q7 prestige Issue: Defective side‑marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Complaint: The side‑marker LED inside the headlight assembly on my 2017 Audi Q7 has failed due to an internal LED driver defect. The LED module is sealed and non‑serviceable, so the entire headlight assembly must be replaced at a cost of $2,000–$5,000. The vehicle displays a “Side Marker Light Defective” warning even though the LED is still illuminated, indicating reduced output that triggers the fault. This failure reduces nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard. This is a widespread issue reported by many Audi Q7 owners. Audi designed the LED module as a non‑replaceable component, leaving full headlight replacement as the only repair option. This is a design flaw that forces an extremely expensive repair for a basic safety function. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this lighting defect.

NHTSA ID

11742844

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

Front right Marker light defect alert keeps pooping up and sounding an audible alarm while I am driving even through the marker light is working perfectly. Drive train alert comes on after I add oil and the vehicle starts hesitating while I accelerate.I just got a tune up which included new spark plus and a new coils. Problem came back even after the tune up within 3000 miles. Excessive oil loss. I constantly have to add a quart of oil even after I just got an oil change and tune up. Seeing oil in the cover shield that covers the entire engine. Seems like the oil is blowing out of the cap area where you add in oil. These problems are very costly for a vehicle that I ordinary love. Please advise what can be done because I can not pay for any more repairs out of pocket. There is only 80,100 mile on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11738363

Incident

May 16, 2026

I have gotten a notice that my "front left side marker light defective"

NHTSA ID

11733230

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

Warning light for right side marker light comes on. Light seems to be working, but warning comes on. Cost to repair is thousands of dollars. It is a well known complaint of this car.

NHTSA ID

11732265

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

The console is reporting: "Front left side marker light is defective. See owner's manual". This is a lighting problem that Audi seems to have covered by a previous recall but this VIN was not included in said recall: Campaign 97CB/NHTSA #16V642000. I have had this defection confirmed by my local service center.

NHTSA ID

11731359

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

Warning message on dashboard regarding right side marker light defective. This warning only occurs after sundown when the daylight sensor has engaged. Confirmed by Audi dealer service on 3/12/2026. Dealer reports this is due to a problem with a LED light inside the headlamp component. Dealer denies coverage for the repair under my active extended warranty. Dealer states an approximate $5,000 repair, at my expense, to replace the entire right headlamp assembly is the sole remedy. It appears the failed component may fall under the scope of safety recall, Audi 97CB (found on your website at: NHTSA ID 16V642-5761.pdf) but my VIN number is not specifically included within the recall. As this appears to be the same or directly related issue, perhaps the recall affects a greater amount of vehicles beyond the initially declared VIN number. My safety concern is that any problem with nighttime lighting is a deadly serious matter.

NHTSA ID

11724327

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

Getting error message that the "Front Left Side Marker Light Defective". The light appears to be operational. Service shop looked to read the errors with ODB2 and both light modules (left and right) are not communicating any info. In same time the warning in dashboard is continuous and can impede gauges visibility during night. Audible warning noise can also activate at random times. Searched for this issue and Audi recalled some models for electrical software issue but many users outside the current recall report this same issue. Please expand the VIN numbers for the recall action for safety.

NHTSA ID

11722959

Incident

Jan 22, 2026

Side marker light malfunction warning while light is working properly. There was previously a recall campaign for this issue on this model but the vin number was not included.

NHTSA ID

11720501

Incident

May 1, 2025

I am having issues with my vehicle ( Audi 2017 Q7)that matches Audi Recall 97CB NHTSA campaign Number 16V642000 regarding the side marker light software malfunction. While my VIN is not currently showing as open on a Recall my vehicle is experiencing the marker lights failure. My vehicles MFD date is 05/16 which is in the dates of the recall 97CB but is for some reason excluded from the recall. I have had the vehicle at the Audi dealer to check on the problem. They have had the vehicle two different times totaling 15 hours and are unable to find a problem.They refuse to provide the recall remedy because my VIN is not currently flagged. my Vin is [XXX] . I am requesting my VIN be added to the 97CB NHTSA# 16V64200 My case # with Audi is XXX Rep is Susan . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11719946

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

The car is displaying "Right front marker light defective". This lessens the visibility when turning. This problem is a VIN specific recall of the 2017 Q7 and my VIN is not included, even though I am experiencing the exact same problem as the recall on the other VINs from the same year.

NHTSA ID

11712720

Incident

Jan 21, 2026

Getting error message that the "Front Right Side Marker Light Defective". The light appears to be operational. Searched for this issue and Audi recalled some models but many users outside the current recall report this same issue. Please expand the vin numbers for the recall action for safety.

NHTSA ID

11710168

Incident

Jan 8, 2026

I was driving last night and the "marker light is defective" error came on. This is a well documented defect in the Audi Q7 and many are subject to recall for this issue.

NHTSA ID

11707347

Incident

Dec 27, 2025

Dash light is on saying “Front right marker light is defective”. However, the marker light appears to be fine. This seems to be a software issue.

NHTSA ID

11707149

Incident

Dec 20, 2025

I have a 2017 Q7 with the "front right side marker light defective" warning THAT POP OUT ONLY WHEN THE LIGHT AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON but the lights are actually functional. Yet the local Audi still wants to charge me 5.3k to fix it. The warning only happens at night. I've asked the shop for clarification on how it was deemed inop. since it looks like it's working to me. I see a lot of posts in forums about this issue. I see that there was a limited recall for this issue with 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles, but it's VIN specific and my VIN isn't included.

NHTSA ID

11703992

Incident

Dec 15, 2023

Notifications come on indicating that “Front Left side marker light defective.” Identical error message for the right side marker.

NHTSA ID

11702618

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

Started receiving error message intermittently regarding front right marker light being defective on the dashboard even though the lights are working. From a brief search online, this appears to be an known issue for this make and year as many others are facing a similar issue. There has been a limited recall for only certain VINs for a similar issue. The recall should be expanded as it's impact is much broader. It is an expensive fix especially for something that is working.

NHTSA ID

11699511

Incident

Nov 8, 2025

Front right & left side marker light defective. See owner's manual However my lights are not blown or out.

NHTSA ID

11698438

Incident

Nov 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side marker warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic with a failing driver's side marker. The contact was informed that the driver's side marker needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at night, the failure was a safety issue. In addition, the contact stated that the dinging from the sensor was a distraction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11694827

Incident

May 21, 2025

Mileage

96,000 mi

The "right side marker light" error message comes on when headlights are on, but the marker light is operating fine. I understand that this is part of a recall on other Audi Q7 models, but my 2017 does not appear to be within that recall. I request that the recall be expanded to include my auto. It appears from online information that other owners outside of the recall are having the issue that the recall is aimed at. Thank you for your consideration. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11692062

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

Front right side marker light is showing defective on 2017 Audi Q7. Light appears to be on but is still throwing error message. Safety issue as I have no visibility when driving to determine whether or not the light is properly working - anything regarding light faults should be considered a safety issue. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by an independent service center, but a quick online search will show this is a known issue and an astronomical cost associated with replacing the entire light assembly.

NHTSA ID

11690487

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

A warning light is showing on the dash about the right side light not working. On inspection all lights are illuminated. Reportedly there has been a recall on some VIN’s for this problem but not ours. On line discussion groups report that the problem is more wide-spread in this model than with the limited VIN’s covered. Since the cost of a dealer replacing the lighting assembly is around $5000, we would like to have our vehicle covered as well.

NHTSA ID

11667997

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

Side marker light not working and throwing a dash light.

NHTSA ID

11665956

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

I drive a 2017 Audi Q7 and recently I got a warning light and message on my dash telling me my front right marker was defective and to check my owners manual and contact Audi but when I reached out to Audi they said my car was not one of the cars affect by the recall but I know a lot of people who are not under the recall status who also have had this issue and it is very expensive to fix even if nothing is wrong. My light appears to be working but my service center I take my car too told me to reach out to NHTSA to let it be known that others aside from those under the recall status are having the same issue and we are having to pay out of pocket to get it fixed. Audi recall campaign 97CB (NHTSA campaign ID 16V642000).

NHTSA ID

11664321

Incident

May 26, 2025

Side markers lights are failing at an abnormally high rate. The pop up error and chime is incredibly distracting as it pops up every 20 to 30 seconds blocking most of the information on the instrument cluster. The side marker lights still function even when the error pops up. Audi will only replace the entire headlight housing to fix the problem, but that seems extreme to fix what appears to be a software issue, as the side marker lights still is fully functioning.

NHTSA ID

11661767

Incident

May 1, 2025