2021 Audi Q7 Electrical System Problems

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.

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.

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?

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)

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.

The vehicle was parked on a sloped driveway. After the driver exited the car, the automatic parking brake/Auto-P fail-safe failed to engage. The vehicle rolled backward unexpectedly, causing the driver-side door to strike a fire hydrant and rebound into the driver's body. There is significant property damage ($6000) and personal injury. Complete home security video footage of the incident is available [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety and mechanical issue involving my 2021 Audi Q7. The alternator on my vehicle was replaced by Audi in November 2024 as part of an official Audi recall. On October 22, 2025, less than one year later, the alternator failed while I was driving, causing the following safety hazards and damages: Sudden loss of battery power Complete battery drain Damage to the electrical stabilizer Vehicle shut down while driving Required towing Left me stranded on the road Another independent auto shop confirmed that the alternator failure directly caused the battery to fail. My vehicle is only four years old, and the battery should not fail under normal operation unless another component (such as the alternator) is defective. Audi of America refuses to cover the resulting damages, even though the alternator was replaced under their recall and failed prematurely. They have denied reimbursement for repairs, towing, and related expenses, despite clear evidence that the alternator caused the battery and electrical damage. This is a serious safety concern because the alternator failed without warning, and the vehicle lost electrical power while driving. I am requesting NHTSA to review this issue, as the failure of the recall-installed alternator may impact other Audi Q7 owners and may indicate a broader defect or improper recall repair. Thank you for your attention to this matter

An alert popped up on the dashboard. Stating driver system malfunction. This happened on the freeway and then the car shut down immediately. I've gotten this notification over 8 times and it has yet to be fixed. I'm extremely anxious and terrified when driving this vehicle, because my 3 children are in this vehicle while im driving. All services has been all done at audi oakland, they have all the records/documents. This car has been serviced over 120 days in total

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System). The interface turned off, and the touchscreen was inoperable. The CP message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed that the USB port was not working and was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact reached out to another local dealer, Audi Riverside (3210 Adams St, Riverside, CA 92504), but no additional assistance was provided. The manufacturer was contacted and offered a discount on the repair, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

On [XXX], I experienced multiple failures of core safety systems in my 2021 Audi Q7 that put my 17-month-old child at serious risk and exposed critical flaws in how the vehicle’s systems operate and record events. On [XXX], the pre sense automatic braking system suddenly engaged while I was driving approximately 35 mph on a clear, empty suburban road. There were no visible obstructions, no warning lights, and nothing recorded in the vehicle’s logs. This occurred less than 48 hours after the vehicle had received recall-related software updates and routine service at an Audi dealership. Prior to that service, the vehicle had no history of mechanical or safety issues. The following day, the keyless entry and anti-lockout system failed. I placed my toddler in his rear-facing car seat behind the front passenger seat and set our baby bag—with the key fob inside—on the rear seat. After closing the door and walking to the driver’s side, the car unexpectedly locked. The fob and my child were both inside. The outdoor temperature was over 90°F. I attempted to open the vehicle and then to break the window with tools, without success. After approximately seven minutes, I broke the driver’s side window with a sledgehammer and removed my child from the car. The car alarm eventually activated, but no lock-in event, key fob error, or warning was recorded. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership twice and Audi Corporate engineers once. Audi confirmed faults in the emergency call module, comfort system, rear lid sensor, and parking sensors. However, they could not reproduce or explain the braking event or lock-in failure. Audi confirmed that the vehicle should not be able to lock with the key inside, and they do not know why it did and are unable to guarantee the safety feature will work in the future. The vehicle has not been driven since. The failure of both safety function and system visibility placed my child in danger. I am requesting a safety investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am reporting a severe defect in my 2020 Audi Q7 involving “coolant migration” due to a faulty water pump, a known issue in Audi models (Q7, S4, A6, 2013–2022). This poses critical safety risks due to sudden failure with minimal warning. My out-of-warranty Q7 showed minor coolant fouling near a solenoid, with normal coolant levels and no fluid added. The dealer quoted ~$6,000 to replace the water pump and vacuum system. This defect is highly dangerous due to: Sudden Power Loss: Coolant in the vacuum system impairs solenoids and lines, disrupting engine/turbo function. This can cause abrupt power loss, risking loss of control in traffic or at high speeds, potentially leading to collisions. Catastrophic Overheating: A failing water pump may halt coolant circulation, causing rapid engine overheating without warning, risking sudden engine shutdown and stranding drivers in hazardous conditions like highways. Brake Assist Failure: The vacuum system powers the brake booster. Contamination can reduce braking effectiveness, increasing pedal effort and stopping distances, heightening collision risks in emergencies. Emissions Control Issues: Coolant fouling affects PCV and EVAP systems, causing misfires, stalling, or increased emissions, potentially triggering check engine lights and compromising engine stability. Undetectable Progression: The defect often shows no clear symptoms or warnings until severe damage occurs. My vehicle had only minor fouling that could only be detected by visual inspection, yet extensive repairs were needed, indicating the issue’s stealthy nature, which prevents timely driver intervention. Systemic Issue: Forums and a class-action lawsuit confirm this defect across Audi models, yet owners face high repair costs post-warranty. This defect endangers drivers and others by risking vehicle failure, impaired braking, and unstable performance. I urge NHTSA to investigate and mandate a recall or extended warranty.

The instrument cluster failed as was reported in a previous recall. This failure was caused by a hardware problem which was fixed via a software update. Unfortunately, the hardware (instrument cluster) has already been compromised and warning lights are all lit up and some warnings aren't working and the instrument panel still goes blank when driving.

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure from occurring. The contact stated that two days after the recall repair, several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge failed to provide an accurate reading for the fuel. The contact stated that the check coolant and temperature warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster display was inoperable and could not be viewed by the driver. During the failure, the driver was unable to view the speedometer and turn signals. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 52,000.

Both of the screens went blank while I was driving and the top one showed this: ENGINEERING +Update + Activation keys +Version information +Reboot to normal mode

In correspondence with recall number 25V201, the Virtual Cockpit display would go blank while driving, hiding all driver assistance indicators/instruments. Unable to verify engine speed unless looking at the heads up display, but adaptive cruise control/forward collision warnings won’t display. Upon parking and restarting vehicle, the display would work, but will intermittently go blank after some time while resuming driving. Called local dealership and they are aware of issue but since a repair is unavailable, out of pocket costs would be incurred. There have not been any inspections but I’ve scanned the vehicle for error code B200049, documented in previous Audi TSBs related to the virtual cockpit display issue.There were no warnings or indications, prior to the event which occurred less than a week after recall number 25V201 had started.

There is a recall for my issue from Audi 90VC. The “remedy” is a software update that a previous dealer and Audi field techs say willl not fix my issue. It’s a hardware issue. The remedy provided for the recall is a facade and doesn’t fix the root cause of the issue. I’m one that actually have the symptoms of the cockpit failed (completely blank screen) but yet Audi is telling me I have to pay to have this safety recall/issue fixed.

So models which have digital cockpits that were produced before July 2021 are faulty and the screen goes black. I was on the I95 when the display was gone and I didn’t have a speedometer. The manufacturer is already aware and accepts there’s a issue but doesn’t have a recall.

Driving on highway at 70 mph and high engine temp light came on. Said to pull over and continue to run car until temp decreased. I got over as quickly as I could ( no more than 1/4 of a mile) and sat on side of PA turnpike as engine cooled. I was at bottom of an exit ramp. I slowly proceeded up the ramp and warning came on again and red temp light reached again. I pulled right into the gas station at top of TP exit ramp. It still said to continue to run the car. I sat with my son in the car and ran the car in the shade. The temp was decreasing and then all my electrical lights came on, yellow battery warning light on and then suddenly the red battery light and all systems failed. Car turned off. Called AAA to take to my mechanic as Audi was a 3 hour wait for a tow and 3 weeks for service appointment with no loaners available. My certified mechanic said water pump completely dislodged. He replaced water pump, thermostat (which was already replaced bc it failed in year 2 of ownership). After repair, 48 volt battery would not take a charge. Assumed faulty alternator and/or battery. Alternator was already replaced once at year 1 as car died while driving as well. We had car towed to audi and they are reporting known issues with water pump but not issuing recalls. Also known issues with alternator repair parts that were used in year 1 but no warning to consumers. They are diagnosing problem now and if alternator and subsequent battery issue, it will be covered but not if battery issue comes back as electrical in nature.

During commute dash lit-up with "central indicator light", "Vehicle starting system; malfunction! Please contact Service" warning notice, "Audi pre sense" yellow-lit dash warning light, yellow-lit battery warning light that alternated to red-lit battery warning light. AC automatically shut off, radio shut off, was able to limp vehicle home. Restarting the vehicle gave a "Battery low voltage" reading then a vehicle failure "immediately turn vehicle off when safe" message followed by the "Vehicle starting system; malfunction! Please contact Service" warning notice. Towed Audi to local Audi shop in Charlottesville, VA, where it was diagnosed with starter generator failure, part was reportedly ordered on 27 July 2024; no indication as to whether the part has arrive at Audi shop. No details on the battery as of 01 August 2024.