BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
2020 Audi Q7
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Audi Q7, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,229 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 2 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 5 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 6 |
| Dec 2023 | 2 | 8 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 9 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 10 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 11 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 12 |
| Aug 2024 | 2 | 14 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 15 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 16 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 17 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 18 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 19 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 20 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | 22 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 23 |
| May 2026 | 2 | 25 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 26 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical1037.0%
- Engine829.6%
- Powertrain (other)311.1%
- Brakes27.4%
- Driver assistance27.4%
- Fuel system27.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Dashboard leather is bubbling, separating, and delaminating near the center windshield vents. This is a known manufacturing defect, Audi has issued a warranty extension (bulletin AWA-23-11) for this identical issue on the Q8, e-tron quattro, and R8 models, but not the Q7, despite the dashboard part number (4M8857001S33A) being identical across the Q7 and Q8. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting multiple Audi models sharing this dashboard component
- NHTSA ID
- 11752459
- Incident
- Jul 15, 2026
the first indication of an issue was oil consumption. It was using more oil than usual around the 70K mile mark. Then it started misfiring, and soon after a knocking noise coming from the engine. There are no check engine light on, after bringing it in for diagnostics, it read that it was a spark plug, once they got into the engine they discovered the cylinder had been stripped from the piston. Yes the diagnostics came from our foreign car mechanic. no, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police. Just the symptoms. sometimes the light would come on, and then it would go off. At this point it is off. All of this started in the fall of 2025.
- NHTSA ID
- 11737769
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
While my vehicle was in for the Audi piston issue, they stated my water pump needed to be replaced and isn’t covered by a recall (yet). My vehicle had less than 42,000 mile on it. I was lead to believe that this problem is coming up more often and they believe a class action lawsuit will come about. I needed to pay over $1,700 out of pocket and was told I was saving so much money because they already had the engine apart because of the piston recall. This is unacceptable.
- NHTSA ID
- 11737715
- Incident
- Apr 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the water pump, coolant pump, vacuum line, and vacuum reservoir were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11724096
- Incident
- Feb 24, 2026
- Mileage
- 70,000 mi
I discovered this item while researching another issue. There was a class action law suit against VW/Audi for the Water Pump and coolant leaking into the system. The class action covered the year and model for my Audi (2020 Q7) but my VIN was not included. The class action ended in 2024. On 8/4/25, My water pump went out because of coolant going into system. A $6,000 repair. I brought the issue up with Audi. No response.
- NHTSA ID
- 11720200
- Incident
- Aug 4, 2025
My 2020 Audi Q7 with 49,500 miles had a complete engine shut down while driving. Towed to Audi. Fuel Pump was recalled and replaced on 1/2023. Audi stated it was the jet suction pump inside the saddle fuel tank. Research discovered that this saddle tank has been problem for this model and year. Audi only covered a portion of the cost. The entire fuel tank had to be replaced. 16 days to complete.
- NHTSA ID
- 11720193
- Incident
- Feb 7, 2026
I am filing a complaint concerning serious safety risks associated with my 2020 Audi Q7 (VIN: [XXX] ) purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from Audi Dominion San Antonio. It is currently under service at Audi Central Houston, where multiple concerning events occurred. Timeline and Issues: - Initial diagnosis identified a fire-damaged electrical harness, estimated at $1,400 for replacement. - After repair attempts, the vehicle began smoking, and the diagnosis expanded to include additional compromised electrical lines. The revised quote skyrocketed to $4,700 (later reduced to $3,100). - After nearly two months in service, I was informed that the AC compressor is now deemed "bad" due to debris from the harness, an issue not mentioned in previous inspections. Safety Concerns: 1. Inconsistent Diagnosis: There was no mention of compressor damage during initial assessments. This late-stage discovery indicates negligence or potential additional damage during servicing. 2. Risky AC Activation: A technician attempted to clean the compromised AC compressor and activated the system, a procedure that is dangerous given the debris. This could lead to refrigerant leaks and electrical shorts. 3. Conflicting Statements: Audi Central Houston claims the compressor was previously damaged but also attempted to restore it. Such contradictions raise serious concerns about service integrity. 4. Certified Pre-Owned Credibility: The emergence of these costly issues questions the reliability guarantees of vehicles sold under Audi's Certified Pre-Owned program. Given that the vehicle began smoking shortly after being parked and had not undergone prior electrical work, I underscore the severe safety risks posed by potential electrical fires and undisclosed damage. These issues could endanger lives and property if not properly addressed. I strongly urge Audi USA and the NHTSA to investigate this matter for potential technical service bulletins or recalls, especially fo INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A
- NHTSA ID
- 11678646
- Incident
- Jun 4, 2025
I’m having to replace my REPLACE WATER PUMP AND VACUUM LINES WITH RESERVOIR at 41k miles or it risk overheating the engine. It is a significant repair at a premature time. After researching, it has been reported there are historical issues with this and faulty parts.
- NHTSA ID
- 11670473
- Incident
- Jun 19, 2025
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 53.8 |
| 2024 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2022 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 61.2 |
| 2021 | 69 | 9 | 0 | 62.6 |
| 2020Viewing | 26 | 5 | 0 | 58.3 |
| 2019 | 61 | 4 | 0 | 54.2 |
| 2018 | 141 | 3 | 0 | 54.0 |
| 2017 | 317 | 7 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 42.1 |
| 2014 | 45 | 2 | 0 | 52.9 |
| 2013 | 41 | 3 | 0 | 60.2 |
| 2012 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 52.7 |
| 2011 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 54.5 |
| 2010 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 45.1 |
| 2009 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 48.4 |
| 2008 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2007 | 95 | 3 | 0 | 47.8 |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.