Audi Q7 engine problems, 2016–2026
150 of the 684 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Audi Q7 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2017 (61), 2018 (39), 2021 (20). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Audi Q7 engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 100% | — | 15 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 33 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 63 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 2 | 12% | — | 89 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 10 | 50% | — | 108 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 20 | 27% | — | 119 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 10 | 36% | — | 122 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 7 | 11% | — | 102 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 39 | 27% | — | 103 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 61 | 19% | — | 104 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | 65 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 20 · 2023: 17 · 2024: 30 · 2025: 34 · 2026: 31
Across the model years, half of the 17 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 17,000 and 63,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
This car has been regularly serviced by Audi for it’s entire lifespan. Today during service, the Audi technician discovered that the water pump had cracked and was leaking coolant onto the engine. The repair will cost me $1500 out of pocket, and neither the dealership nor Audi will offer any assistance.
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating while driving. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The add oil indicator light was illuminated. The contact purchased 4 to 5 additional quarts of oil.
Water pump failure. This can lead to catstrophic engine failure if not addressed. Dealer has confirmed the failure. No fault codes appeared in any scans. Only warning signs were rapid coolant loss & the smell of burning coolant
Engine coolant leak reported only at around 30K miles. Leak detected and fixed at owners cost
waterpump is leaking- known issue that is currently being investigated for class action lawsuit. My car is now out of warranty
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications5 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 21, 2026
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- Nov 25, 2025
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- Nov 11, 2025
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- Aug 21, 2025
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- Aug 26, 2024
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Audi Q7
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Audi Q7 years have the most engine complaints?
2017, 61; 2018, 39; 2021, 20. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (100%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Audi Q7?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the Audi Q7?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 32,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 17,000 and 63,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.