Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2017 Audi Q7Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 323 owner complaints for the 2017 Audi Q7. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (135) and engine (61). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Mar 2020
Owner complaints
323
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Steering

Free remedy

Volkswagen 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.

SteeringReported Mar 16, 2020NHTSA 20V149000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Volkswagen 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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 16, 2019NHTSA 19V035000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Seat beltsReported Dec 29, 2016NHTSA 16V955000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

323 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Exterior lighting135
  2. Engine61
  3. Electrical system53
  4. Suspension33
  5. Steering19
  6. Fuel/propulsion system17
  7. Power train10
  8. Service brakes9
  9. Wheels7

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
7
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
10
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

Exterior lighting

135 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, an inoperable passenger’s side front headlight assembly warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlight was functioning properly even though the warning light was displayed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The contact expressed concerns that the warning failure posed a safety risk because the contact might not be alerted if the headlight failed. The approximate failure mileage was 54,921.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11772699

Engine

61 reports1 fire
“In XXX, my 2017 Audi Q7 3.0T unexpectedly lost engine power while traveling approximately 70 mph on a highway in [XXX]. A "Drive System Malfunction" warning appeared. The driver pulled over, shut off the engine, and restarted it; the vehicle then drove normally. The sudden reduction in power at highway speed created a risk of collision with surrounding traffic. The precise cause is UNKNOWN. I reported the highway-speed loss of power and warning to Audi Wilmington. At its XXX visit (102,255 miles), the dealership documented the warning and multiple engine misfire codes. It identified a vacuum leak at a broken oil-fill pipe neck, replaced the pipe, cleared codes, and reported no issue during its test drive. The intermittent power loss did not recur during that visit. The vehicle also had recurring excessive oil consumption. In XXX (104,261 miles), Audi Wilmington found it approximately 1.5 quarts low and documented possible piston-and-ring replacement if proposed treatments failed. Those proposed repairs were not performed. In XXX (approximately 109,320 miles), the vehicle again showed a Drive System Malfunction warning and check engine light. Maguire Audi…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026EngineODI 11773478

Electrical system

53 reports2 fires
“The vehicle has a recurring electrical failure involving the camshaft position sensor circuit (DTC P0365). The sensor itself is functional, but the wiring harness leading to the sensor develops internal copper fatigue due to a design flaw in the factory routing. The harness is bent tightly behind the passenger-side cylinder head, causing vibration-induced internal wire breakage that is invisible externally. This failure is well known to Audi dealers and has been reproduced and confirmed by multiple service centers. The problem is not caused by the sensor, plug, or engine components. It is caused by the wiring harness design, which repeatedly fails in the same 6–10 inch section. The defect causes intermittent loss of camshaft signal, illumination of the check engine light, and inability to pass emissions. Repair requires cutting open the harness and splicing in new wire, costing approximately 700–1,200 each time. This is a repeated electrical defect caused by poor harness routing and inadequate wire durability. This issue affects safety indirectly because the vehicle cannot reliably report camshaft position to the ECM, and the failure is unpredictable. The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2026Electrical systemODI 11762386
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
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 (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202522$3,600406
Q7
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,800419
  • Q7
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 25 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Q7
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    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 2017 Audi Q7 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 11372
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

2017 Q7 questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Audi Q7 have?

7 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 2017 Audi Q7 problems?

Owners filed 323 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (135), engine (61), electrical system (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Audi Q7 get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Audi Q7 at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026