Audi Q7 2015-2026 (2015–2026)
Generation-specific owner insights from 209+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2015–today Q7?
730
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2015–2026
43
recall campaigns
exterior lighting
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and heavily dependent on engine choice and model year.
14 problems reported (1 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 8 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentPCV/oil separator failure and excessive oil consumption (including the CREC 3.0T)
- RecurrentWater pump failure and coolant intrusion into the vacuum system
- RecurrentControl arm bushing and engine mount wear reported around 40k-80k miles
+ 11 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentBrake squeal/noise on the heavy SUV
- RecurrentMMI/CarPlay connectivity and screen glitches requiring reboots or software updates
- RecurrentDriver-assist and Pre-Sense false warnings, often tied to camera obstruction or software faults
- IsolatedAdaptive headlamp/DRL failure requiring full headlight assembly replacement
- IsolatedTiming chain rattle on cold start
- IsolatedSunroof leaks causing footwell water and TCM wire corrosion
- IsolatedAir suspension/strut airbag failure around 100k miles
- IsolatedRear camera system failure
- IsolatedOverhead light and electrical harness faults
- IsolatedPre-Sense braking abruptly in reverse on inclines
- IsolatedSteering rack replacement
The version owners recommend
The 3.0T V6 is the consensus choice, with owners repeatedly steering buyers away from the 2.0T 45 TFSI and toward the 55. One owner called the 2019-2020 Q7 "the golden age of the 3.0T supercharged motor." The SQ7 is praised as the genuinely satisfying performance option, though some note the 3.0T itself feels mild off the line unless in sport mode.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the BMW X5, BMW X7, Mercedes GLE 350, Lincoln Nautilus and Genesis GV80.
Is a 2015–2026 Q7 right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and heavily dependent on engine choice and model year. Owners praise the Q7's comfort, quiet highway manners, solid feel, and the supercharged 3.0T's effortless power, with several calling it a great all-rounder and a "big cushy luxury SUV." Criticism centers on the 2.0T being underpowered for a vehicle of this size, aggressive dealer maintenance pricing, and a recurring pattern of expensive repairs (water pumps, PCV/oil consumption, control arm bushings, engine mounts) that owners describe as arriving around 40k-80k miles. Later model years (2021-2025) draw complaints about MMI/CarPlay glitches, driver-assist false warnings, and build quality, with some owners attributing this to pandemic-era production. Early years (2015-2019) are viewed more favorably mechanically, though the 3.0T's oil consumption and PCV issues are a frequent theme.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the Q7 as the better-driving, more solid-feeling option versus the GLE 350, which one owner called "the most atrocious luxury car on sale," and versus the Lincoln Nautilus, whose EcoBoost they distrust. The Genesis GV80 is described as feeling more luxurious with a superior warranty but lacking the Audi's driving experience. Against the Acura MDX, owners concede the MDX is the smarter long-term financial choice, with one owner calling it "the smart choice for long term miles/ownership/kid stuffs." Several owners note the Q7 is not worth it in 2.0T form and that the SQ7 is the only truly satisfying power option, while others cross-shop the smaller Q5/SQ5 as a more sensible size for one or two people.
Recommended configurations
Owners consistently recommend the 55 (3.0T V6) over the 45 (2.0T), with multiple owners stating the 2.0 "feels sluggish" and is a "dog in this size of car." For the 3.0T, owners advise 5k-mile oil change intervals rather than the longer factory schedule, and checking that the PCV and water pump have already been addressed. Owners also recommend the ZF8 transmission (noting the Q7 does not use the DSG) and advise verifying it shifts smoothly when cold. For the 2.0T, owners note it is a stout, reliable engine better suited to the A4, and that it uses the ZF8 rather than the DCT.
General recommendations
Owners recommend this generation for buyers who want a comfortable, quiet family SUV and are willing to budget for maintenance, with several advising keeping $3-5k in reserve for repairs and finding a good independent Audi specialist to avoid dealer pricing. Buyers are strongly urged to get a pre-purchase inspection, obtain full service records, and check for open recalls and TSBs. Owners suggest avoiding the 2.0T if power matters, avoiding smoking-interior cars entirely, and being wary of unusually cheap high-mileage examples or cars with repeated water pump replacements. Several owners advise against buying if you cannot afford to buy it twice, and one long-term owner rated the car 6.5/10 overall. Multiple owners recommend changing oil every 5k miles and driving the car hard occasionally to keep brakes quiet.
Remarks
A notable thread pattern is owners suspecting dealer service recommendations are "scripted by mileage," with multiple owners at 55k-80k miles receiving near-identical lists of control arm bushings, CV joints, and engine mounts. Owners repeatedly note that Carfax and similar reports are self-reported and can be inaccurate. Several owners describe the Q7 as a "money pit" past 70k miles while still saying they love the car. One owner reported a 2017 needing its fourth water pump before 100k miles. Analysis based on approximately 209 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | power train |
| 2025 | 16 | 2 | unknown or other |
| 2024 | 2 | 3 | unknown or other |
| 2023 | 16 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2022 | 20 | 3 | engine |
| 2021 | 75 | 9 | electrical system |
| 2020 | 28 | 5 | electrical system |
| 2019 | 62 | 4 | steering |
| 2018 | 143 | 3 | engine |
| 2017 | 320 | 7 | exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | seat belts |
| 2015 | 45 | 2 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2026 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
Volkswagen 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."
2025 · seat belts:front:anchoragecampaign 25V777000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Audi RS Q8, Audi Q8, Audi Q7, and Audi SQ8 vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle to the seat belt stalk.
2025 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
Volkswagen 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."
2024 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 23V868000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
2024 · air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passengercampaign 24V251000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
2024 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
Volkswagen 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."
2023 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 23V868000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
2023 · air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passengercampaign 24V251000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
2023 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
Volkswagen 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."
2022 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 21V825000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2022 · equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unitcampaign 22V806000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2022 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
Volkswagen 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."
21 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.