RoadVitals

2021 Audi Q7

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
74
+3 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest Dec 19, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 74 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 1,281 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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

View all 9

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.gov
25V900000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Dec 19, 2025
356,894 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90TVView on NHTSA.gov
25V201000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Mar 31, 2025
44,387 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90VCView on NHTSA.gov
22V742000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Oct 5, 2022
170,296 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 91DZView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 74
Electrical
Filed Sep 23, 2026

It is listed as Instrument cluster malfunction with a couple lights on like Brake, ABS, steering wheel with exclamation point next to it. Often when I’m driving the screen in front of me that tells me my speed will go extremely dark to the point you can barely read what it says on it. I have not taken it to a dealership or service place yet but this is part of a recall that my car does not qualify for. One day it just started in January and despite efforts to reset it, has not gone away. The lights stay on at all times.

NHTSA ID
11766465
Incident
Jan 30, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 15, 2026

I have heard a knocking and experienced sudden loss of power while driving- not electrical loss, but vehicle suddenly slows down and unable to pick back up speed effectively creating a safety concern when driving- especially at on ramps. A warning light comes on and then it will go off randomly with the loss of power. I have taken it in multiple times and was told it is an emissions issue and a vacuum hose issue that allows fluid to get into my turbos or something along those lines. I have both been told by my Audi service advisor and done my own research and seen there have been issues with previous years and ultimately a recall was done to fix those- My vehicle is the 1st year following previous recalls. I have been told by the service professionals that they are at a loss whey a recall has not been issued on this issue again. That it is not only an environmental concern, but a huge safety concern. I have contacted Audi America twice now regarding this and ZERO has happened.

NHTSA ID
11764502
Incident
Feb 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2026

Water pump failure causing coolant to leak into engine.

NHTSA ID
11762709
Incident
Aug 23, 2026
Electrical
Filed Aug 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that the instrument cluster display had become blank and failed to operate as intended. The failure prevented the contact from viewing critical vehicle information, including the speedometer, fuel gauge, and turn signal indicators. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster failed and needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11760262
Incident
Aug 14, 2026
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 18, 2026

Rear sensors failed for Blind Spot Warning, Parking Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Warning and possibly other safety functions have failed on this car twice now since it was purchased. This is known issue and if the car is out of warranty Audi will not cover this very expensive repair for important safety features. Quote from Go Parts website: "TSB: Rear Parking Sensor Brackets Detaching A widespread known issue for the 2020-2024 Audi Q7 is the failure of the adhesive that holds the rear parking sensor brackets to the inside of the bumper cover. Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 24 92 (superseding 91 22 52) to address this problem." Despite Audi being aware of this issue they only issued a TSB when a I feel a recall should have been made. Please issue a recall for this known Audi safety issue..

NHTSA ID
11757771
Incident
Aug 15, 2026
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2026

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
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 7, 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 [XXX] Audi, Marietta, GA (Repair Order XXX) in XXX. 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 XXX, 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11755437
Incident
Jul 5, 2026
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 27, 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

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082976_2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.

TSB_2074436_3

This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.

TSB_2069331_8

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.

TSB_2063546_5

STEERING

This bulletin provides service infomraiton regardin gthe identifaction of noises with dynamic steering.

TSB_2063528_5

STEERING

This bulletin provides service information when thre are engine noises in the vehicle interior.

TSB_2064535_4

STEERING

This bulletin provides information when the steering wheel clicks when it is adjusted vertically.

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

Audi Q7 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026110—
2025162052.6
2024230—
2023163048.1
2022183060.2
2021Viewing749061.7
2020285062.2
2019624054.9
20181423053.8
20173197055.6
2016210—
2015442040.1
2014452050.7
2013433060.9
2012294152.7
2011234149.2
2010293145.1
2009213148.4
2008333047.9
2007953047.8
2006000—

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.