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2021 Audi Q7

HybridGas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
38 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns9
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA72
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

The 2021 Audi Q7 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and 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 9 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 72 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Q7HybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion182320$3,900
Q7GasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo192321$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43026, 43024.

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Recalls (9)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Back Over Prevention

90TV
356,894 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskA rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V900000reported Dec 19, 2025Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

90VC
44,387 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskAn instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V201000reported Mar 31, 2025Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
○minor

Back Over Prevention

91DZ
170,296 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskA blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V742000reported Oct 5, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20DR
49,443 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail.RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DR.
NHTSA campaign 22V516000reported Jul 20, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Suspension

42L5
31,058 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.RiskRear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
NHTSA campaign 22V034000reported Jan 26, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Seat Belts

69CR, 69CS
45,496 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant CrRiskAn unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
NHTSA campaign 21V606000reported Aug 5, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Suspension

42L1
40,993 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.RiskA broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
NHTSA campaign 21V295000reported Apr 26, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

69BV
26,967 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskDuring a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.FixAudi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BV.
NHTSA campaign 21V078000reported Feb 17, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

69BM
166 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6 and RS7 vehicles. The electrical connector can detach from the door crash sensor in either of the front doors.RiskA detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixAudi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the crash sensors in both front doors, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BM.
NHTSA campaign 20V749000reported Dec 2, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
72complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 2 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 13

Most-cited components

Electrical System44
Engine18
Unspecified11
Forward Collision Avoidance8
Back Over Prevention7
Service Brakes6

What owners describe

“285/40R21 At the end of a Vermont ski trip, left to return home on the morning of 3/15/23 at approximately 8am. Outside temperature was approximately 30 deg F and it was snowing. Due to partially snow-covered roadways, speeds were limited to 35-40 mph. After driving for approximately 20 minutes, the tire pressure warni…”Apr 1, 2023 · Tires · NHTSA owner report
“285/40R21 I was pulling out of a parking lot onto Rt 40, a secondary, 2-lane road, at approximately 6pm. As I accelerated to approximately 30 mph, without warning I heard a loud noise and felt the pull of the right front tire. I pulled off into a gas station parking area that was nearby and was very fortunate to have a…”Apr 1, 2023 · Tires · NHTSA owner report
“Electrical system malfunction causing the car to fail Steering Parking brake Vehicle lights Vehicle starting system Stabilization control”Mar 13, 2023 · Electrical System · 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
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★☆16%

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

Other Q7 model years

A

2026 Audi Q7

1 recalls · 1 complaints

B

2025 Audi Q7

2 recalls · 16 complaints

B

2024 Audi Q7

3 recalls · 2 complaints

B

2023 Audi Q7

3 recalls · 16 complaints

B

2022 Audi Q7

3 recalls · 18 complaints

F

2020 Audi Q7

5 recalls · 26 complaints

D

2019 Audi Q7

4 recalls · 61 complaints

D

2018 Audi Q7

3 recalls · 141 complaints

F

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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