2017 Audi Q7 Steering Problems

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. Thank God that I was not in a busy parking lot, otherwise would have damaged dozens of cars and hurt many innocent bystanders. Will keep you posted till the Audi repair shop gives me a diagnosis

NHTSA ID

11697302

Incident

Oct 30, 2025

Complete loss of steering control while driving at low speeds. Dashboard indicator illuminated for "Severe Steering Malfunction - Do Not Drive." Had the car towed to the dealership. Dealership indicated that the car needed a new steering rack and pinion. Cost estimate was $4000. The car had 72,000 miles with mostly highway mileage.

NHTSA ID

11679747

Incident

Aug 2, 2025

Was driving on small town road, pulling into gas station, and 'steering malfunction, stop car immediately' notice popped up, with red steering wheel icon above message with line across wheel and exclamation mark. I lost power steering at the same time, immediately. Very difficult to drive, and thankful it was not on busy, interstate road, and that nothing more happened. Very tough to drive, and so far, need to tow to Audi dealership to check and repair. I have been in touch with Audi, nothing they can do over phone, they suspect electronic issue. Very dangerous and disappointing. Just happy it did not cause death or injury.

NHTSA ID

11675991

Incident

Jul 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering shaft bolt was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The contact was informed the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V149000(Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11572048

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

Mileage

70,000 mi

Power steering assistance unit stoped working suddenly while driving. Then car was very difficult to steer. Fault could not be reseted, unit was not accessible with service computer in Audi shop. The steering unit was replaced. Just by luck that did not happen while driving at high speed. This could have been resulting in crash with casualties. While browsing the internet for advice it shows multiple incidents with the Audi electric powered steering unit. In the attached pic’s it shows a wet rubber seal and a corroded drive shaft of the replaced part (note the part numbers). Water and oil can find its way into the resolver unit and render it useless, cause lost of feedback signal hence kill the unit. Additional observation: Month before this incident happen, while driving at low speed in warmer/hot environment, a stepper motor feeling was noticeable on the steering wheel. Also a sound can be heared similar to rubber scratches over a dry surface. The disturbance went away when the car cooled down for some hours. It would be advisable to investigate the issue further as the consequences of loss if steering power could be very serious. Wishing everyone a safe travel.

NHTSA ID

11558563

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

Start/Stop system malfunction. The vehicle gave me this warning and the vehicle almost stopped completely in the interstate while doing 65mph. The warning disappeared after couple of times of turning the car back on, but it appeared once again. It looks that their are many complaints and a class act lawsuit on Audi about this problem but no recalls. It's dangerous and really mind blowing that nothing has been done on this issue.

NHTSA ID

11552980

Incident

Sep 14, 2023

SUMMARY 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. CONSEQUENCES A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash. 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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1. Apparently my vin is not covered but others are. My car is telling me that this is the issue. Why are others covered and mine is not?

NHTSA ID

11544122

Incident

Aug 29, 2023

On intermittent and at unpredictable times while the car is in motion, the vehicle will show a series of two warnings while it appears to turn the steering wheel in the absence of any input from the driver. The first warning light indicates an electromechanical steering failure (indicator light flashes red for approximately one second) and the second states, "Distance warning: currently unavailable. See owner's manual." Unfortunately, there is not a description of a "distance warning" in the owner's manual to refer to for guidance. This has been a long-time issue and I have taken it to the dealership several times over the last two years to have it evaluated; however, since it is an intermittent issue they have not been able to replicate it and have not been able to offer any insight on fixing the problem. These occurrences are also sometimes coincident with with a separate warning that states, "Audi pre-sense: currently restricted. See owner's manual." These warnings also sometimes occur when the vehicle is stopped.

NHTSA ID

11443320

Incident

Dec 8, 2021

While driving my audi Q7 2017 SUV on highway with my family (spouse and two kids), i got alert on audi dashboard that steering wheel is malfunction and was not able to use power steering, it immediately feels like manual steering. I also lost adaptive cruise control, lane assistance and object identification assistance. I took car to audi dealer and they refused to admit that there was a recall regarding this issue.

NHTSA ID

11426418

Incident

Jul 25, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11423894

Incident

Jun 29, 2021

Mileage

47,000 mi

When turning the steering wheel there is a noise that sounds like something rubbing. It can be felt in the wheel.

NHTSA ID

11419787

Incident

Jun 5, 2021

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL CITY STREET, THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, FLASHED A BUNCH OF ERROR CODES AND THEN LOST POWER WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO THE CAR COULD NOT SAFELY BE STEERED OFF THE ROAD. THEY DID INITIALLY REPLACE THE BATTERY THINKING THAT THAT WAS THE CAUSE BUT IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANIC SO IT WE TOOK AT BACK WHICH IS WHEN WE WERE TOLD THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS NEEDED BUT THAT ONLY THE DEALERSHIP CAN DO THIS. THE CAR IS NOW SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THAT ARE NOW TELLING US THAT WE MUST BUY THEIR BATTERY OTHERWISE THEY CAN'T WORK ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11395192

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

Mileage

63,000 mi

WAS DRIVING NEW USED VEHICLE ON 55 MILE ZONE N MY LAND ASSISTANCE PULLED MY STARING TO RIGHT HARD ON SINGLE LANE TO THE INTERSECTION. MAY BE ONE SIDE LINE WAS GETTING WIDE FOR INTERSECTION. BUT IT WAS SUDDEN PULL. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325637

Incident

May 22, 2020

Mileage

32,300 mi

AFTER 10K MILES WE STARTED NOTICING ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES. I HAVE THE 18" GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES. THE TIRES ARE CHUNKING SEVERELY POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY. AUDI HAS A TSB FOR THE SAME CONDITION ON THE 20" TIRE. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE DO NOT COVER THE SAME CONDITION ON THE 18" TIRE??

NHTSA ID

11256022

Incident

Sep 13, 2019

Mileage

10,000 mi

CLICKING NOISE WHILE STOPING AND BUZZING WHILE TURNING. I AM NOT ALONE, BUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS LIKE OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS , WHY NO OFFICIAL IS ASKING AUDI TO FIX IT? OR DO WE NEED FIRE AND CRASHES AND LIFE LOSSES FOR NHTS TO ISSUE A RECALL?

NHTSA ID

11217212

Incident

May 30, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE EARLY PRODUCTION OF MODEL YEAR 2017 AUDI Q7 HAS SIGNIFICANT STEERING NOISES, SAME AS 2015 MODEL YEAR Q5 (EXISTING RECALL)'S STEERING NOISE. THE LOUD CLICKING NOISE ALWAYS COME AT LOW SPEED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU TRY TO GET INTO A PARKING SPOT. ANOTHER BUZZING NOISE ALSO OCCUR DURING ANY TURNS. AUDI DEALER PROMISED TO REPLACE STEERING SHAFT BUT IT'S BEEN A YEAR AFTER THAT PROMISE AND WE STILL CANNOT GET THE REPAIR DONE. AUDI KEPT TELLING US THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11110586

Incident

Jul 2, 2017

1. DRIVING 2017 AUDI Q7 (MILEAGE 17017) ON I-85 CLOSE TO THE RICHMOND, VA. DRY, STRAIGHT AND NO TRAFFIC ROAD. 2. BOTH HANDS KEEP ON STEEL WHEEL, CAR LOST CONTROL, LANE KEEP DID NOT WORK, TRIED USED THE STEEL WHEEL TO ADJUST, THE STEEL WHEEL OVER RESPONSE. 3. THE CAR WENT TO LEFT AND RIGHT, ROLLOVER, AND CRASH. 4. HAD SENT CAR IN DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES TO REPAIRING AUTO BRAKE PROBLEMS (THIS CAR DID NOT STOP BUT SPEED UP EVEN FRONT CAR VERY CLOSE, I NEED USE BRAKE TO PREVENT FORWARD COLLISION MULTIPLE TIMES), STILL DID NOT FIXED, WENT ON 7/8/2017 WITHOUT APPOINTMENT, DEALER SCHEDULE FULL. 6. ONE TIME TO REPAIRING SAFETY SURROUND-VIEW EXTERIOR CAMERA. THREE TIME RECALLS REPAIR. 7. CAR HAD MULTIPLE TIME ERROR MESSAGES IN 17 MONTHS, SUCH AS ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL UNAVAILABLE, AUDI PRE-SENSE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED. 8. CAR ADD ON MULTIPLE SAFETY FEATURES, Q7 PREMIUM PLUS WITH ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE (ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AUDI ACTIVE LANE ASSIST, HIGH-BEAM ASSISTANT, IMPROVED FORWARD COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, AUDI PRE-SENSE). 9. VISION PACKAGE (AUDI VIRTUAL COCKPIT, FULL LED HEADLIGHTS, SURROUND-VIEW CAMERA, PEDESTRIAN DETECTION, NIGHT VISION, REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC DETECTION, BLIND SPOT DETECTION, TRAFFIC SIGN RECOGNITION). 10. WE ADDED THE ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES IN AUDI Q7, BUT JUST ONE YEAR AND FIVE MONTHS, IN THE STRAIGHT AND DRY ROAD, NO TRAFFIC AND NO REASON, STILL IN WARRANTY PERIOD, CAR CRASHED, AND TOTAL LOSE. THE CAR HAS MORE SAFETY FEATURES THAN ANY MY OTHER CARS BUT PROVIDES MUCH LESS SAFETY, MY WIFE AND I ALMOST LOSE OUR LIFE.

NHTSA ID

11046126

Incident

Sep 15, 2017

Mileage

17,017 mi

WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED THERE IS A SQUEAKY SOUND AS IF SOMETHING IS RUBBING AGAINST SOME OTHER THING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT DID RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE. THEY CHANGED THE WHOLE SUSPENSION AND THE ELECTRICAL STEERING SYSTEM BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. I TOOK MY CAR BACK FROM AND WAS ON A VACATION WHEN NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM BELOW THE VEHICLE. I PARKED THE CAR ON THE SIDE AND CHECKED FOR FIRE BUT THERE WAS NONE. I LET THE CAR COOL DOWN AND THEN PARKED THE CAR IN THE HOTEL. LATER I DROVE BACK HOME AND HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE OF SMOKE COMING FROM BELOW THE CAR. I HAVE DROPPED THE CAR FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST 1.5 MONTHS TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURING FAULT IN IT OR IT'S A LEMON THAT THEY SOLD TO ME. THE CAR WAS STATIONERY WHEN THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE SMOKE MUST BE THERE EVEN IN MOTION AS WELL. THE SQUEAKY SOUND COMES WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED SPECIFICALLY WHEN TURNING.

NHTSA ID

11010309

Incident

Jul 16, 2017

Mileage

17,500 mi

AT SLOW SPEED 10MPH, EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A CLICKING, POPPING NOISE WHICH IS VERY ANNOYING AND DON'T KNOW IF ITS SAFE TO DRIVE, THE FRONT SUSPENSION MIGHT JUST POP OUT.

NHTSA ID

10955132

Incident

Oct 4, 2016

Mileage

4,621 mi