2020 Audi Q7 Engine Problems

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

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

I urgently request a NHTSA investigation into systemic coolant leaks, a dangerous safety defect in Audi vehicles with the 3.0L turbocharged V6 (EA839) engine. Affected models include the Q7 (my 2020 Q7 55 TFSI, VIN: [XXX] ), S4, S5, SQ5, A6/A7, Q8. These defects risk engine damage, sudden power loss, and catastrophic engine failure, endangering all road users. Many owners report premature failures of cooling components (water pump, thermostat, PCV system). Failures often occur post-warranty, costing owners over $3,000 for repairs. Online forums (AudiWorld, Audizine, Reddit) document these widespread defects. The class action [XXX] et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. alleges water pump defects in EA839-equipped Audis (incl. Q7 up to 2022). Critical Safety Concerns: The primary safety risk from these coolant leaks involves: Coolant Ingestion: Coolant enters vacuum lines, mixes with oil (faulty PCV), or enters intake (failing intercoolers). Engine Malfunction: Ingestion causes misfires, drivability issues, and sudden power loss during operation. Catastrophic Engine Failure: Severe coolant ingestion can cause catastrophic engine failure, risking loss of control and collisions if the engine seizes/fails at speed. Sudden engine malfunction/failure while driving due to this systemic defect warrants immediate NHTSA investigation. Audi of America is aware. My contact (Mike, Ext. 43252) confirmed Audi is not addressing this widespread failure. Audi's inaction necessitates NHTSA intervention for consumer and road safety. Affected owners urge NHTSA to: Initiate a formal investigation into systemic coolant leak issues and component failures in EA839-equipped Audi vehicles. Assess the safety risks, including potential engine failure and loss of vehicle control. If warranted, issue a safety recall for affected vehicles to prevent accidents and injuries. Public safety is paramount. Evidence indicates a defect compromising vehicle safety and reliability. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

NHTSA ID

11662153

Incident

May 9, 2025

In July 2023, my 2020 Audi Q7 experienced a complete electrical failure at highway speeds due to a Belt Starter Generator (BSG) malfunction. Audi replaced the BSG with the same faulty part. Months later, I noticed increased oil consumption and loud engine noise. Despite multiple service visits and reporting these issues, Audi failed to properly diagnose the problem. In January 2025, despite a clear check engine light indicating a problem, Audi dismissed my concerns. Just weeks later, in February 2025, the engine catastrophically failed due to undiagnosed internal damage. Audi repeatedly ignored diagnostic warnings and failed to address my complaints, putting my safety at risk. Audi consistently dismissed my concerns, attributing engine noise and oil consumption to normal wear. The failures posed safety risks, including sudden loss of power while driving. Despite documented defects, Audi refused to take responsibility or perform proper diagnostics, resulting in continued safety hazards. I am formally requesting NHTSA to investigate the widespread issues affecting the 2020 Audi Q7, including the BSG system and excessive oil consumption leading to engine failure.” Additional Details: •Component/System Failure: The 48V Belt Starter Generator (BSG) and the engine failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. •Safety Risks: The electrical failure at highway speeds caused a sudden loss of power. The engine failure posed a risk of the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly while driving. •Problem Confirmation: The Audi dealership confirmed the engine failure and acknowledged the presence of metal shavings in the oil, indicating severe internal damage. •Inspections: The vehicle has been inspected by the Audi dealership, and Audi representatives acknowledged the issue. •Warning Signs: The check engine light illuminated in January 2025. Additional symptoms included loud engine noise (‘tractor-like’) and increased oil consumption, which Audi dismissed.

NHTSA ID

11652576

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Turbo charger failure at approximately 30,000 miles

NHTSA ID

11609572

Incident

Aug 9, 2024