Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2010 Audi Q7Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2010 Audi Q7. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (9) and fuel system, diesel (7). The EPA rates it 15–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15–20mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
29
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2009-2015 Q7 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and Part 567, "Certification."

EquipmentReported Feb 15, 2023NHTSA 23V086000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 19, 2018NHTSA 18V818000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 13, 2016NHTSA 16V660000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2010 – Oct 2024
  1. Fuel/propulsion system9
  2. Fuel system, diesel7
  3. Engine5
  4. Tires3
  5. Power train3
  6. Electrical system3
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Visibility/wiper3
  9. Fuel system, gasoline1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Q7 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200795
200833
200921
201029
201123
201229
201344
201446
201546
2017323
2018144
201963
202029
202175
202517
20262
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

9 reports
“Large fuel leak from fuel pump flange. Vehicle has had the recall 20W9 performed in 2018 as can be seen by the black butyl sticker on the assembly. However, this failed to prevent the flange from cracking and subsequently creating a large fuel leak. This is the very failure the recall was intended to prevent. Part is available for inspection if necessary as well as work order from original recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11550028

Fuel system, diesel

7 reports
“I HAVE AN AUDI Q7 2010. JUNE 2013, MY HUSBAND, 4 YR OLD SON AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND DECELERATED TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. MY HUSBAND PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL OVER AND OVER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SPEED UP. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT, HOWEVER WE WERE VERY SCARED. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND MAKE IT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP CLOSE BY. JANUARY 2014, I WAS HEADING TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AGAIN- THIS TIME WORSE THEN BEFORE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I WAS STUCK. THE POLICE WERE CALLED BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN A SAFE PLACE AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT THEY FOUND FAULT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FUEL FILTER IN ADDITIONAL TO LOW FUEL PRESSURE. ALSO CONFIRMED METAL SHAVINGS IN THE N290 VALVE. THEY HAD TO GET AUTHORIZATION FROM GERMANY TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. JULY 2014- YES IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME MY HUSBAND AND SON WERE HEADED TO GO ON A FATHER-SON CAMPING TRIP AND RIGHT BEFORE THEY LOST ALL CELL SERVICE THE CAR STARTED…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2014Fuel system, diesel, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 10614622

Engine

5 reports
“MY 2010 AUDI Q7 WITH 59K MILES ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS STARTING PRETTY ROUGH. I BROUGHT IT 200 YARDS UP THE STREET TO MY LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT'S A BIGGER DEAL AND TO BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT'S A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND I LOOKED IT UP AND SAW THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, RECALL, AND SETTLEMENT ON MOST AUDI'S - BUT SEEMED TO EXCLUDE Q7. RESEARCHING, I FOUND OUT AUDI DECIDED IN 2008 TO CHANGE THEIR TIMING CHAIN. EVEN THO I SHOWED THEM THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS OF OIL CHANGES LESS THAN 10K MILES, THEY DECLINED TO PICK UP THE COST OF THE REPAIR.THIS IS CLEARLY A RECALL ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2020EngineODI 11373217
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel · 3.6L 6-cyl · 4.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q7
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172420$4,700509
Q7
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
141916$5,000555
Q7
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
131815$5,300592
  • Q7
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,700/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Q7
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Q7
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Audi Q7 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 5528
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Q7 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Audi Q7 have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Audi Q7 problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (9), fuel system, diesel (7), engine (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Audi Q7 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Audi Q7 at 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026