NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2020 Audi Q7. Most complaints involve electrical system (11) and engine (7). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.
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."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020 Q7 vehicles. Incompatibility between the front camera control software and the heating element used for the front camera on the windshield may cause the heating element to overheat.
Volkswagen 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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“COMPONENT: 48V mild-hybrid electrical system — engine ground connections, Belt Starter Generator circuit, and 48V lithium battery. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request; the 48V battery dealer now call failed has not yet been replaced. SAFETY RISK: On 8/1/2026, the vehicle suffered sudden, complete electrical failure while in motion immediately after exiting I-75 in Bradenton, FL, with my family aboard, including a child. The cluster displayed “Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle” (red), then total power loss. I coasted into a parking lot; had this occurred minutes earlier at 70 mph in interstate traffic, a stall with degraded accessories would have been unavoidable. The vehicle would not restart until the system cooled. Risk is ongoing: faults now recur almost daily. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. Audi Sarasota (RO AUCS126809) diagnosed both main engine ground connections left loose after a 2/2026 engine replacement by an authorized Audi dealer — DTC U350100, Control Module Input Power “A” Circuit Low. A prior dealer had misdiagnosed it as a faulty 12V battery and returned the car unrepaired; it failed on the interstate 16 days later.…”
“the first indication of an issue was oil consumption. It was using more oil than usual around the 70K mile mark. Then it started misfiring, and soon after a knocking noise coming from the engine. There are no check engine light on, after bringing it in for diagnostics, it read that it was a spark plug, once they got into the engine they discovered the cylinder had been stripped from the piston. Yes the diagnostics came from our foreign car mechanic. no, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police. Just the symptoms. sometimes the light would come on, and then it would go off. At this point it is off. All of this started in the fall of 2025.”
“In July 2023, my 2020 Audi Q7 experienced a complete electrical failure at highway speeds due to a Belt Starter Generator (BSG) malfunction. Audi replaced the BSG with the same faulty part. Months later, I noticed increased oil consumption and loud engine noise. Despite multiple service visits and reporting these issues, Audi failed to properly diagnose the problem. In January 2025, despite a clear check engine light indicating a problem, Audi dismissed my concerns. Just weeks later, in February 2025, the engine catastrophically failed due to undiagnosed internal damage. Audi repeatedly ignored diagnostic warnings and failed to address my complaints, putting my safety at risk. Audi consistently dismissed my concerns, attributing engine noise and oil consumption to normal wear. The failures posed safety risks, including sudden loss of power while driving. Despite documented defects, Audi refused to take responsibility or perform proper diagnostics, resulting in continued safety hazards. I am formally requesting NHTSA to investigate the widespread issues affecting the 2020 Audi Q7, including the BSG system and excessive oil consumption leading to engine failure.”…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q7 Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,600 | 425 |
| Q7 Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | $4,200 | 479 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 13, 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.
Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (11), engine (7), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2020 Audi Q7 at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).