Audi · Q7 · 2018
2018 Audi Q7
3
Recalls
141
Complaints
5/5
NCAP overall
The 2018 Audi Q7 has 3 recalls and 141 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. One stored NHTSA configuration has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, not a rating for all versions. Most frequent stored component label: engine (28 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2018 Audi Q7 SUV AWD NCAP Vehicle ID: 12389
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Aug 31, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2018 Audi Q7 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is engine with 28 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Audi Q7 currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 141 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA rating for one stored configuration, not all versions.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are engine (28), exterior lighting (17), suspension (14).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Audi Q7
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 141
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- 5/5. Stored NHTSA configuration: 2018 Audi Q7 SUV AWD. NCAP Vehicle ID: 12389.
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2018 Audi Q7 SUV AWD NCAP Vehicle ID: 12389
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 20V658000October 27, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.
Remedy Status
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.
NHTSA ID: 20V149000March 16, 2020
STEERING
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8 and 2017-2019 Audi Q7 vehicles. The bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1.
NHTSA ID: 19V035000January 16, 2019
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
Remedy Status
Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
Owner Complaints
141 totalSEATS
Jul 12, 2026
The right rear passenger heated seat in my 2018 Audi Q7 overheated and burned through the leather and foam. Fortunately, my disabled [XXX] daughter, who normally sits in that seat, was not in the vehicle at the time. The failure occurred without warning and during normal use. Thi...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 30, 2026
My 2018 Audi Q7 3.0T Quattro is experiencing extreme oil consumption — dropping from full to minimum level in approximately 230 miles. This is approximately 14x beyond Audi's own threshold for excessive oil consumption of 0.5 quarts per 1,000 miles. Documented timeline: May 2026...
Preview excerpt
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 LI...
Preview excerpt
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 13, 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 tol...
Preview excerpt
SUSPENSION
Mar 29, 2026
I’m reporting a serious safety issue with my 2018 Audi Q7. Both rear suspension springs failed suddenly while I was driving at highway speeds 70 MPH, with no warning at all. This was extremely dangerous—I almost lost control of the vehicle when it happened. The rear of the car d...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Jan 2, 2026
Start/stop malfunction failed; yes it is available for inspection. Driving down highway vehicle stopped with 2 adult passengers and 2 children. Yes 3 mechanics completed a diagnostic. Vehicle has not been inspected by insurance, manufacturer or police but by VW dealer, and two...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 17, 2025
The crankcase ventilation valve is malfunctioning resulting in excessive oil consumption and unsafe idling. The Extended Warranty dated 5/24/19 with Number AWA-19-03 should be extended to other model years.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 2, 2025
ALERT " Left Front side marker light defective" see owner manual. That is the message
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Nov 27, 2025
Right Front Parking Light Defective
ENGINE
Nov 12, 2025
Catastrophic engine failure, this occurred 2 weeks after a service appointment where nothing was detected. The car only had 86,000 miles and it is unrepairable. We have now found that this could be due to a design flaw in this model which we were unaware of.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 141 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Audi models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Audi Q7 Years
2019 Audi Q7Compare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.4r61c2017 Audi Q7Compare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.7r317c2020 Audi Q7Compare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.5r26c2016 Audi Q7Compare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.1r2c2021 Audi Q7Compare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.9r70c2015 Audi Q7Compare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.2r44c
More 2018 Audi Models
2018 Audi Q5Another 2018 Audi option for same-year comparison.6r200c2018 Audi A4Another 2018 Audi option for same-year comparison.4r53c2018 Audi A3Another 2018 Audi option for same-year comparison.3r45c2018 Audi A5Another 2018 Audi option for same-year comparison.6r36c2018 Audi Q3Another 2018 Audi option for same-year comparison.1r26c2018 Audi SQ5Another 2018 Audi option for same-year comparison.5r22c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi Q7 have?
The 2018 Audi Q7 has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Audi Q7?
NHTSA has received 141 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Audi Q7.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Audi Q7?
Our stored NHTSA record for the 2018 Audi Q7 has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Stored NHTSA configuration: 2018 Audi Q7 SUV AWD. NCAP Vehicle ID: 12389. Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q7?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2018 Audi Q7 are engine (28 reports), exterior lighting (17 reports), suspension (14 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2018 Audi Q7 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2018 Audi Q7. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.