RoadVitals

2018 Audi Q7 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
14
Latest May 21, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 141 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 Audi Q7 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesExterior lighting
Filed May 21, 2025

"front left" or "front right" "side marker light defective" message Rear brakes loud squeal when reversing.

NHTSA ID
11662451
Incident
May 1, 2025
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Dec 11, 2024

Error code for right front side marker light faulty. Light seems to be working. I've had two mechanics look at the car. They can't figure out what's wrong. Error message appears randomly. Brakes are very squeaky. I took the car to Audi and they said it was normal and I should brake more aggressively.

NHTSA ID
11630208
Incident
Dec 11, 2024
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 10, 2024

Engine Malfunction Piston Rings Oil Consumption Loud brakes

NHTSA ID
11582131
Incident
May 13, 2023
Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 2022

The car's parking brake system is not engaging when a door is opened while the car's transmission is in "Drive." Normal operation requires the parking brake to be engaged when the door is opened. Audi is aware of the issue and has issued a software patch to flash the car's firmware. See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10158462-9999.pdf However, this is only done for cars in warranty. Since this is a safety concern it should be done for all cars as a car can roll when a door is opened and the parking brake is not automatically engaged as originally designed.

NHTSA ID
11488301
Incident
Oct 7, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jan 26, 2022

I recently purchased a CPO 2018 Audi Q7, and shortly after purchase, I encountered the problem indicated in this TSB about break squeal (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153128-9999.pdf) I contacted the dealer (Audi North Austin, located at 12971 Pond Springs Road, Austin, TX 78729) to fix this problem, but was refused because my car does not meet the criteria specified in the TSB, namely 24 Months / 24,000 Miles (my car has 27,700 Miles). In doing so, I found another TSB (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153129-9999.pdf) with the same problem as in my car. And it has different criteria, namely 48 Months/50,000 Mile. In this regard, I would like to ask why there are different criteria for the same problem? Why are 2017 Audi Q7 models has 48 Months/50,000 Miles to fix this problem, but 2018 Audi Q7 only 24 Months/24,000 Miles ?

NHTSA ID
11448999
Incident
Jan 25, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 28, 2021

Icy road, pulling up to stop sign, at 5-8 MPH , had just pulled out of parking space, touched brakes to slow down, brakes locked up, tried to pump to release brakes with no response, car stopped brakes released.

NHTSA ID
11445258
Incident
Dec 27, 2021
Brakes
Filed Dec 1, 2020

LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ON REVERSE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. ADVISED AUDI DEALERSHIP AT ROCHERST HILLS, MI FOR THE ISSUE WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THEN 2 YEARS OLD AND WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT, BUT SERVICE ADVISER SAID THERE WAS NO BULLETIN TSB, SERVICE CAMPAIG OR RECALL FOR THE THE ISSUE. I SHOULD PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR THE SERVICE. AFTER SPEAKING TO AN AUDI REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTLY, I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR THE CAR AND MY CAR IT SHOULD BE SERVICED. WHEN CONTACTED THE SAME DEALERSHIP I WAS ADVISED THAT I WAS OUT OF 24,000 MILES (BY 1,000 MILES) OR 2 YEARS WARRANTY (OUT 4 MONTHS) AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE OTHER ADVISED TOLD ME THERE IS NO COVERAGE AVAILABLE, WHEN MY CAR WAS UNDER COVERAGE LIMITS, THEN THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE ADVISER DOS NOT WORK WITH THEM ANYMORE. I OPENED A COMPLAIN WITH AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTER 2 WEEKS, AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT I NEED TO REPLACE ROTOR AND PADS DUE TO DUST'.. AUDI COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AS THEY HAVE A RELATIOSHIP WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AS PER CUSTOMER SERVICE REPERSENTATIVE. THE SQUEAING IS VERY, VERY LOUD, MY 3 KIDS AND PEOPLE AROUND GET SCARED OR WONDERING WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN I PRESS BRAKES WHILE ON REVERSE. NEITHER AUDI USA OR AUDI ROCHERSTER HILLS, MI CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETYBUT JUST OUR MONEY.

NHTSA ID
11377373
Incident
Dec 24, 2019
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2020

FRONT BRAKES HAVE ISSUES FROM THE BEGINNING WITH BRAND NEW TIRES FROM THE DEALER. DEALER CHANGED ALL TIRES WITH BRAND NEW TIRES AGAIN AND BRAKE PADS FOR FRONT BRAKES SIX MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHEN I PUSH BRAKE. VEHICLE IS NOW WITH THE DEALER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT. THIS IS NOT AT ALL ACCEPTABLE BEING A $80K VEHICLE. AUDI SHOULD DISCONTINUE THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND REFUND THE MONEY. THIS IS ALSO A ROAD HAZARD AND RISKY ISSUE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11376709
Incident
Aug 12, 2020
Mileage
28,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 9, 2019

LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP COMING FROM BRAKES. NOISE IS ALARMING AND CAUSES ONE TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE, AND NOISE DRAMATICALLY ALARMS THOSE AROUND AND IN VEHICLE. 2018 AUDI Q7 WITH 26K MILES. DEALER DID NOT ADVISE OF TSB ADVISING SELF...ONLY AWARE AFTER CALLING AUDI DIRECTLY. DEALER SERVICE ADVISED BRAKE AND ROTOR REPLACEMENT IF PROBLEM CONTINUES. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS PROBLEM EXISTED SINCE 2016 Q7 MODEL. AUDI NEVER INFORMED US DIRECTLY AND DEALER SERVICE DID NOT INFORM US...WE NEEDED TO CALL AND OR INFORM BOTH BEFORE BEING ADVISED OF TSB. NHTSA CALLED AND INFORMED SELF OF AUDI'S DECISION TO NOT DO RECALL AND ONLY ISSUE TSB. WHERE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVISING VEHICLE OWNERS OF SUCH PROBLEMS.... DEALER SERVICE REP DID NOT ADVISE OF TSB INITIALLY...OWNER ADVISED TO REPAIR AND ABSORB COST. ONCE TSB DISCUSS BY OWNER, ARRANGEMENT WAS MADE FOR COST SHARING.

NHTSA ID
11287969
Incident
Dec 9, 2019
Mileage
26,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 29, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTION ENGAGED MORE THAN TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION AND UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A RED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND INDICATED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE DRIVER ASSIST FUNCTION WAS FAULTY AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. AUDI ASHEVILLE (621 BREVARD RD, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806, (828) 232-4000) INITIALLY INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THEY HAD A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11210627
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 2, 2019

AUDI HAS A PRE SENSE FEATURE THAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY SLAM ON THE BRAKES. IT FAILS CONSTANTLY AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES AT VARIOUS TIMES. SO FAR IT HAS BEEN AT SLOW SPEEDS, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS FEATURE. THERE IS NO WAY TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN IT OFF, AND IT TURNS ON EVERY TIME YOU RESTART THE CAR

NHTSA ID
11193369
Incident
Apr 2, 2019
Mileage
15,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 15, 2019
Crash reported

I WAS TAKING A U-TURN UNDER A FREEWAY IN MY 10 MONTH OLD AUDI Q7. AS I WAS FINISHING THE U-TURN A STABILIZATION ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT. I WAS FINISHING MY UTURN AND COULDN'T SLOW DOWN SOI ENDED UP RUNNING INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER WITH MY RIGHT BACK WHEEL AND WENT ONTO THE FEEDER. LUCKILY IT WAS AT 5AM SO NO OTHER CARS WERE ON THE ROAD. HITTING THE BARRIER SLOWED BY CAR DOWN TO 5 MPH. AS I STRAIGHTENED OUT MY CAR, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID AUDI OF AMERICA HAD TO LOOK AT IT. THE ENGINEER FINALLY CAME TO LOOK AT IT ON JAN 3RD (3 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT). HE SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T TEST DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN BUT THE TESTS THEY RAN SHOWED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE. I ASKED HOW THEY KNEW NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THEY SAID TESTS WERE RUN. I ASKED HOW THEY EXPLAINED THE ERROR MESSAGES (STABILIZATION ERROR AND SAFETY ERROR). THEY SAID THOSE CAME UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEY DON'T THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SO HOW DO THEY KNOW THIS?. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE ERROR MESSAGES AND KNOW THE TIMING OF THAT. I ASKED FOR A PRINT OUT OF THEIR FINDINGS 3 TIMES. IT HAS BEEN 10 DAYS AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANYTHING FROM THEM. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
11170252
Incident
Dec 13, 2018
Mileage
12,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 1, 2018

THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED SINCE 3K MILES. NO MATTER THE WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IS NORMAL, BUT I AM RESEARCHING OTHERWISE. AT 5AM LEAVING THE HOME, THE BRAKES SQUEAL, AT 2PM SQUEALING, 5PM SQUEALING, MIDNIGHT SQUEALING. FOR BEING A LUXURY VEHICLE I LOVE AND TRUST, THIS MAKES ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS AND EMBARRASSED WHEN NEIGHBORS ARE OUT AND HEAR THIS SQUEALING. THE BRAKE FOOT PEDAL DOES NOT GLIDE WHEN BEING USED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOCKING MOTION WHEN BEING USED ON TURNS.

NHTSA ID
11144662
Incident
Feb 5, 2018
Mileage
3,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jan 17, 2018
Crash reported

2018 AUDIO Q. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE PUT IN TO NEUTRAL AND SELECT THE "P" FOR PARKING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ACTIVATED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON LEVEL LAND. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. NO ALARMS WENT OFF INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. THE REAR LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN USING A FOOT. IT NEEDED TO BE CHARGED. *JS

NHTSA ID
11061749
Incident
Nov 4, 2017

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.

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