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2018 Audi Q7

Gas

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

69 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Recalls1 critical3

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA141

Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

The 2018 Audi Q7 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Q7, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 141 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Q7	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	19	25	21	$3,700
Q7	Gas	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl	19	25	21	$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38809, 38959.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Structure

70H8

94,144 vehicles

ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskIn the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.FixAudi 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 campaign 20V658000reported Oct 27, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

▲high

Steering

36A1

229 vehicles

ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskA sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.FixVolkswagen 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 campaign 20V149000reported Mar 16, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

24DP

74,881 vehicles

ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.FixAudi 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.

NHTSA campaign 19V035000reported Jan 16, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

141complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 10 · 2019: 14 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 34 · 2025: 29 · 2026: 11

Most-cited components

Engine37

Exterior Lighting23

Unspecified19

Electrical System16

Suspension16

Service Brakes12

What owners describe

“While driving, car stops and message " Drive System:Malfunction! Please Contact Service" comes on along with check engine light and message indicator.”Apr 24, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

“The problem: I was driving and noticed a high remaining fuel range, or a fuel gauge that appears to be stuck at a specific level, I ran out of gas while in motion, and my engine stalled almost causing a crash on the highway. My vehicle was towed to the Kansas City Audi dealer and they have identified the same issue in …”Mar 6, 2023 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

“Twice now, the front windshield defroster has malfunctioned. First time was late last winter and the car was undriveable due to almost no visibility out of the windshield (and it malfunctioned during my wife's daily commute). We had it repaired under warranty at the time. The same issue occurred again yesterday (2/27/2…”Feb 28, 2023 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Other Q7 model years

2026 Audi Q7

1 recalls · 1 complaints

2025 Audi Q7

2 recalls · 16 complaints

2024 Audi Q7

3 recalls · 2 complaints

2023 Audi Q7

3 recalls · 16 complaints

2022 Audi Q7

3 recalls · 18 complaints

2021 Audi Q7

9 recalls · 72 complaints

2020 Audi Q7

5 recalls · 26 complaints

2019 Audi Q7

4 recalls · 61 complaints

2017 Audi Q7

7 recalls · 319 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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