RoadVitals

2018 Audi Q7 Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
23
Latest May 23, 2026
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.
16%
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.
0
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 headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 23 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 exterior lighting

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

Exterior lighting
Filed May 23, 2026

I AM GETTING FRONT LEFT SIDE MARKER LIGHT FAULTY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR 2018 AUDI Q7. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF I AM QUALIFIED TO GET THIS REPLACED BY AUDI. APPARENTLY, THE REPLACING THE LAMP ISN'T EASY BUT WOUDL REQUIRE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHTING FIXTURE WHICH COULD COST OVER $2K. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11739746
Incident
May 23, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed May 19, 2026

Parking light defective message on dash board. Looked at the light and all lights present. Talked to a dealer and the headlight assembly to replace is 6K plus. For a small yellow side light inside of headlight that is still on, but the message on dashboard says otherwise. Was told that it isn't outputting enough light power.

NHTSA ID
11738684
Incident
May 13, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 12, 2026

ALERT " Left Front side marker light defective" see owner manual. That is the message

NHTSA ID
11717586
Incident
Dec 2, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 8, 2026

Left Front side marker light faulty. is the warning on the dashboard - I have noticed there is a recall I believe 2017 2018 for the same part and this is on a 2019 so it's obviously the part it actually says if there's a software fix

NHTSA ID
11709667
Incident
Oct 3, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 28, 2025

Right Front Parking Light Defective

NHTSA ID
11701912
Incident
Nov 27, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 11, 2025

The console displays side marker light defective warning, but both the side marker lights are working

NHTSA ID
11698838
Incident
Oct 30, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, an orange triangle warning symbol and a message that the "Driver’s side Front Marker Defective - See Owner’s Manual" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side marker needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,901.

NHTSA ID
11698524
Incident
Sep 3, 2025
Mileage
84,901 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 1, 2025

Left front side marker light defective.

NHTSA ID
11664230
Incident
May 31, 2025
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
Exterior lighting
Filed May 7, 2025

We had a warning light go on on the dash advising there was an issue with the driver's side side marker lamp. In looking at the lamp, it is still illuminating, just not as bright as normal. This is a known issue with Audi - several complaints have been made already and there is even a recall on certain vins. My vin was not included in this so the cost is falling on me (in the form of $6200 not including tax) despite this being the exact same issue in the recall.

NHTSA ID
11659517
Incident
Mar 3, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 15, 2025

Getting error message again regarding "Front Right Side Marker Light Defective". This issue was already addressed back in late 2024 by my local Audi service center, but has popped back up again for the second time. My car has a little over 100K and has no other problems. There was an Audi recall Campaign 97CB (NHTSA campaign ID #16V642000) that addresses this exact issue and applies to some affected VIN numbers, but mine is not included. Seem to be occurring with a lot of regularity based on research online.

NHTSA ID
11636014
Incident
Dec 27, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 18, 2024

A very distracting warning about an issue with a front left side marker keeps popping up - on some rides multiple times in a minute! - and the only way to address it is, according to the dealership, to pay almost $7,000 to replace the entire headlamp assembly. It’s so distracting I do not permit the new teenage driver in our family to drive the car because I do not think it is safe. The visual is alarming and appears in the display immediately behind the steering wheel, so it is distracting. I think it makes a Ping! noise too, each time it appears. The car passed inspection because the light still works, there seems to be some other problem deep in the assembly that is causing the distracting warning. Given the cost and the safety issue from the distraction, I was surprised there is not a recall on this. So, I am reporting it now. Here is the information the dealership provided with the estimate: IMMEDIATE ATTENTION UPON INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSING FOUND LEFT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE 450TU FOR HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT 350 TU FOR FRONT CAMERA CALIBRATION REPLACE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS 6,973.89

NHTSA ID
11631422
Incident
Nov 1, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 13, 2024

97CB (NHTSA campaign ID 16V642000. This recall address this issue on the 2018 Audi Q7. Side marker light malfunction. Does my vehicle qualify?

NHTSA ID
11630643
Incident
Dec 11, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 12, 2024

Getting error message regarding "Front Right Side Marker Light Defective". My car has a little over 66K and has no problems. There was an Audi recall ampaign97CB (NHTSA campaign ID #16V642000) that addresses this exact issue and applies to some affected VIN numbers, but mine is not included.

NHTSA ID
11630338
Incident
Dec 6, 2024
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
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 7, 2024

My car shows a warning message that says, right front side marker light issue. I understand Audi issued a recall for this issue but only for certain VINs which did not include my car.

NHTSA ID
11629396
Incident
Dec 3, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 3, 2024

The left front side marker light is defective. However, the left front side marker light is working. The vehicle keeps reporting this error. Audi recall campaign 97CB (NHTSA campaign ID 16V642000) addresses this exact issue, but this problem has always existed. Even 2018 Audi vehicles have this problem.

NHTSA ID
11628711
Incident
Nov 3, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 1, 2024

Audi Q7 front right parking light defective. Audi recall campaign 97CB (NHTSA campaign ID 16V642000) 16V642000 My vehicle says no open recalls but I get the error meaaage.

NHTSA ID
11628141
Incident
Nov 25, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 15, 2024

Car starting giving an error that the “Front right side parking light is defective”.

NHTSA ID
11619770
Incident
Oct 14, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 2, 2024

Front left side marker light malfunction warning came on. All lights seem to be working but warning light is still on . All forums online indicate a common issue with no resolution other than disabling the safety feature which is not a good option. Seems to be a prevalent issue with the q7 and should warrant a recall

NHTSA ID
11612132
Incident
Sep 2, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed May 17, 2024

Front right side marker light defective warning message populates when the vehicle is started, and also when temperatures are low, or conditions are wet. It also causes the ADAS components to be deactivated some of the times it occurs.

NHTSA ID
11589292
Incident
Oct 24, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 30, 2024

Warning light comes on stating front left side marker light is not working. However, light is on. Warning continues to come and ding non-stop despite the light working correctly. Searching the internet shows that this has happened to thousands of people. Audi is trying to charge over $5K for a known defect. Dangerous to have these lights not connected properly to the car's system.

NHTSA ID
11580217
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
Exterior lightingSuspension
Filed Aug 16, 2023

Just had the vehicle in for the it’s 60k mile service and no issues reported. Today, at 63k miles I had the same dealer look at a headlight malfunction and the service technician reported the rear coil springs are failing and need replaced.

NHTSA ID
11538808
Incident
Aug 15, 2023

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .