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2021 Audi Q7
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 69 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Audi Q7, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and driver assistance categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,258 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2022 | 2 | 4 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 6 |
| Sep 2022 | 2 | 8 |
| Nov 2022 | 2 | 10 |
| Dec 2022 | 3 | 13 |
| Jan 2023 | 3 | 16 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 17 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 18 |
| Apr 2023 | 4 | 22 |
| Jul 2023 | 2 | 24 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 25 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 27 |
| Oct 2023 | 3 | 30 |
| Nov 2023 | 2 | 32 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 33 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 34 |
| Mar 2024 | 2 | 36 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 37 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 38 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 39 |
| Nov 2024 | 2 | 41 |
| Apr 2025 | 5 | 46 |
| May 2025 | 2 | 48 |
| Aug 2025 | 3 | 51 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | 53 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 55 |
| Dec 2025 | 4 | 59 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 60 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 61 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 62 |
| May 2026 | 3 | 65 |
| Jun 2026 | 2 | 67 |
| Aug 2026 | 2 | 69 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical4242.9%
- Engine1818.4%
- Driver assistance1616.3%
- Brakes66.1%
- Steering44.1%
- Fuel system33.1%
- Visibility22.0%
- Seat belts22.0%
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
9 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.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
waterpump is leaking- known issue that is currently being investigated for class action lawsuit. My car is now out of warranty.
- NHTSA ID
- 11756120
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2026
On startup, the instrument cluster (Audi Virtual Cockpit) takes an abnormally long time to illuminate. When it does come on, the check engine light and multiple other warning indicators are illuminated. First noticed about a month ago when the panel with the speed indicator wouldn't light up or took a long time to illuminate. I took the car to three dealerships before Audi mentioned that this is a manufacturing issue. The vehicle was taken to Jim Ellis Audi, Marietta, GA (Repair Order 106862U) in August 2026. The technician's diagnostic notes recorded a fault described as "control module for instrument cluster — optical data bus — no communication." The dealer referenced an internal Technical Service Bulletin describing an intermittent hardware defect in the Audi Virtual Cockpit logic module, attributed to a manufacturing/semiconductor issue at the supplier level. Per the TSB, if the instrument cluster's production date is before February 1, 2025, the cluster must be replaced. The dealer quoted $3,093.81 to replace the instrument cluster assembly. I am aware that NHTSA recall 25V201 (Audi internal number 90VC) covers 2021 Q7 vehicles for a related virtual cockpit shutdown defect, remedied with a free software update.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755437
- Incident
- Jul 5, 2026
My independent repair shop has just diagnosed a coolant leak weeping from the vacuum line connection at the water pump; they referred to this problem as “coolant migration”. As documented extensively by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 19-23-45 (2070349/2), this indicates an internal seal failure of the water pump, causing pressurized engine coolant to migrate directly into the vehicle’s vacuum system. While I understand that my vehicle is technically past its 4-year factory warranty timeline, a mechanical failure of this nature at just 43,000 miles is highly premature and points to a known manufacturer design defect rather than standard wear and tear. More importantly, this defect poses an immediate, severe safety risk. Because the vacuum system directly services the power brake booster, the migration of coolant into these lines risks catastrophic contamination of the braking system. This results in a stiff brake pedal and compromised vehicle stopping ability. I am deeply concerned about operating this vehicle with an active, manufacturer-acknowledged safety hazard affecting my brakes. At this time, I have not had this problem confirmed by the dealer, but plan to in the next week. The vehicle it available for inspection upon request.
- NHTSA ID
- 11746888
- Incident
- Jun 25, 2026
My rear backup sensors have fallen out of my vehicle and the dealership wants to charge me $200.00 to diagnose the problem. All they need to do is reattach the sensors which were originally put on the vehicle with double sided adhesive tape which is a poor design. I cannot afford this $200.00. This is a big safety concern because I rely on those sensors when backing up. Can you help me?
- NHTSA ID
- 11744149
- Incident
- Jun 4, 2026
We were in my vehicle. An audi q7 2021 driving in the highway ([XXX]) Headed to Ohio from Florida and during a traffic jam all the sudden my car stopped and will not react and was “stucked in park” and transmission malfunction, parking brake malfunction, start/stop system malfunction codes popped up all at once. So scary and cars started to move and we couldn’t. Luckily we were able to get to safety and check battery but this shouldn’t happen to anyone as could cause irreversible damage to human life. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11739641
- Incident
- May 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 - 55 MPH, the Check Engine light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed code PO299, which referred to coolant migration into the vacuum system. The contact was unable to provide the exact parts that were needed for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer opened a case regarding the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11738957
- Incident
- May 3, 2026
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
Early fuel pump failure at 55k miles. Coolant is now leaking and the fuel pump and vac system need replacement.
- NHTSA ID
- 11738191
- Incident
- May 13, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety-related recall on my Audi Q7 involving the alternator. The wording of the recall is significantly underplayed, written off as an emissions issues. When in reality this is a life threatening flaw in the alternator. It is highly concerning that Audi isn’t being transparent with people who are driving these cars and risking their lives while doing so. This is not simply emissions, in reality, the car can totally malfunction while in operation. The entire electrical system fails and the car completely stops responding to the driver, fully stops and dies no matter where you are driving or at what speed. While driving on the highway, my vehicle experienced a catastrophic electrical failure caused by the recalled alternator, which caused the car to completely stop and it would not restart in any way. This created a life-threatening situation for my family and me. As a result of this electrical failure, the vehicle’s battery was damaged, and Audi has acknowledged coverage of 90% for the battery repair. However, the voltage converter, which is part of the same charging system, was also damaged during the same event. Audi is refusing coverage for the $1,600 repair of the voltage converter, despite the damage being caused directly by the alternator failure. I believe this represents a significant safety risk, as the vehicle’s sudden loss of power could lead to serious injury or death. Additionally, the recall itself caused secondary damage that is being denied coverage, which is unfair and unsafe. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter as a safety defect/recall-related failure, and ensure the manufacturer addresses all consequences of this recall-related defect, including coverage of secondary damage like the voltage converter.
- NHTSA ID
- 11723294
- Incident
- Feb 28, 2026
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when various driver assistance systems are unavailable.
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 |
| 2021Viewing | 69 | 9 | 0 | 62.6 |
| 2020 | 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.