Audi SQ7 Complaints

17 consumer complaints on file.

#11772162October 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Water pump failure which was detected by an independent mechanic at 58,000 miles and confirmed by an Audi dealership service. This failure could have led to engine failure due to overheating. Prior to this, the same Audi dealership did not detect this problem during inspection at 55,000 miles. There were no warnings but noticed poor performance of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767281September 27, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Audi’s own Technical Service Bulletin 2071698 (70 23 85, November 2023) describes this condition and attributes it to process weaknesses in how the leather is bonded to the dashboard. The bulletin says Audi’s production measures to address it have not been fully effective. It covers the 2020–2022 SQ8, which is built on the same platform as the SQ7, but the SQ7 and Q7 are not listed. Audi’s related warranty extension (AWA-23-11) is also limited to certain Q8, e-tron and R8 models. The defect is not caused by wear, cleaning products or physical damage. Having the identical failure occur on two Audi vehicles suggests the issue affects models beyond those in the bulletin. I am asking NHTSA to note this complaint and to consider whether Audi’s bulletin and warranty extension should be expanded to include the Q7 and SQ7.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757858August 19, 2026
ENGINE
Multiple P029900 codes and check engine lights, coolant loss, coolant leaking and burning smell, loss of power. On the most recent trip to the dealership this problem was diagnosed, and the invoice states recommend replacing vacuum lines, actuators and all affected parts. The dealership will not send in the warranty claim stating there's not enough evidence. This is a known issue with leaking water pumps and coolant ingress into the vacuum system. Why are we still waiting for a recall on these issues? I am the 3rd to report this but would bet the affected number is 1,000 times higher.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743008June 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
My 2020 Audi SQ7 has a recall for the backup camera malfunctioning. The recall is 90TV according to Audi. My vehicle has been at the Audi Dealer in Brentwood, TN for 2 weeks now because their software update that is supposed to fix the vehicle is not working. According to the Service Advisor, Taylor Ellis, they are having issues with this all over the US and other countries. I have no update on when my vehicle will be fixed or if it can be. Hopefully NHTSA can help because Audi is not fixing the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739537May 22, 2026
ENGINE
I am reporting premature cooling system failure on my 2021 Audi SQ7 equipped with the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (EA825 engine). The vehicle developed a coolant leak from the water pump and thermostat housing assembly at relatively low mileage (less than 27,000 miles). The failure caused coolant loss and low coolant warning messages, requiring major repair due to the engine’s integrated “hot-V” cooling system design. Research shows many similar reports involving Audi EA825 4.0T vehicles (SQ7, SQ8, RS6, RS7, etc.) experiencing water pump and thermostat leaks, along with multiple revised OEM part numbers and redesigned components. This defect creates a potential safety risk because sudden coolant loss can lead to overheating, limp mode, loss of power, or breakdown while driving. I request that NHTSA investigate whether these recurring cooling system failures on EA825 4.0T engines represent a broader defect trend. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738485May 18, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Two separate compounding defects. The first and most critical - on many occasions the lane keeping system in my SQ7 has unexpectedly and aggressively engaged and attempted to steer the vehicle into barriers, other vehicles and construction workers. This occurs despite positive driver steering input, normal driving (cruise control off), and creates a condition where I must “fight the wheel” to keep the vehicle from causing an accident. This problem is consistent and repeatable. Most often this has happened in two scenarios (1) in normal driving where lane markings are faded or ambiguous, and (2) where construction is occurring and the vehicle must be driven in accordance with temporary markings or instructions. As a workaround, the vehicle has a feature to turn the lane keeping system off. Due to a second critical defect, even if you have turned the system off, at random the lane keeping system turns itself back on. As a driver, you never truly know what the car is going to do. Audi recognizes this second defect in its internal Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 90 24 88 2073280 of 1 May 16, 2024 and describes the issue as "Lane departure warning sporadically activates by itself". Instructions from Audi to dealers in this TSB are as follows: No repair is currently available. 1. Do not perform any repairs. Any repairs for this concern may be denied. 2. Instruct the customer that this condition is normal. I have engaged Audi's customer service on these issues. At their request, I have taken my SQ7 to two different area dealerships for evaluation. Both confirm that lane keeping is unpredictable and a frequent area of trouble - despite there being nothing "broken" that they can repair. My vehicle has been out of service since 2/9/2026 - 98 days as of the date of this report. This combination of safety defects creates a truly random and unpredictable driving experience that is unsafe for everyone involved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729423April 6, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
USB-C ports found on the front center console and second row center console have a defective design that leads to frequent "push in" of the USB connector. This is leading to shorts, circuit boards overheating, and potential fire risk. It is a frequent issue reported in online forums affecting a wide range of Audi models that include the SQ7 and Q7 among many others. Dealers and Audi of America are infrequently taking responsibility for the poor design and are suggesting repair fees in the 1000s of dollars. One of the USB-C ports in my center console was pushed in before I purchased it, and the dealer is unwilling to help repair it. Their initial quote was $3000 to repair this defectively designed part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716444February 7, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle is a 2022 Audi SQ7. On Feb 4th 2026 at 22,100 miles dealer determined that the water pump is leaking and quoted ~$4400 for replacement. Stating that my warranty expired less than 2 month ago on Dec 6th 2025. After reading multiple online resources it looks like it's a very common problem on this vehicle but it was not included in a settlement(Civil Action No. 2:21-cv-11251-MCA-MF) for some reason. I wanted to file this complaint so nhtsa could look into the water pump issue with 4.0 engines EA825 from Audi
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712409January 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System). The contact scheduled an appointment with a local dealer; however, the dealer advised the contact that the USB ports needed to be repaired to complete the recall repair. The contact had never used the ports and was unaware of the failure prior to the recall notification. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676169July 25, 2025
ENGINE
We are told by Audi dealer service that our entire water pump system is defective and needs to be replaced at a cost of $5000+. We've had Audis subject to past recall and class action settlements. This is an ongoing, known issue for Audi for over a decade. Frustratingly, our 2020 SQ7 model is not included in any current recalls. "Check engine" diagnostic code P0299 was our first indicator.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675483July 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine cooling system of my 2022 Audi SQ7 has failed repeatedly over the past two years, resulting in multiple warranty repairs. Components replaced include the coolant pump, water pump, radiator breather hose, thermostat housing, seals, gaskets, and breather lines. Despite these repairs, the vehicle continues to experience coolant loss and a persistent burning coolant smell. During the time of these repairs we were repeatedly told to "top off" the coolant because "these cars are just like that" (communication I also have in writing. After the most recent repair in July 2025, dried coolant residue is still visible under the hood, coating surrounding parts and the burning coolant odor returns. While the invoice shows I declined service and warned of damage, I have email correspondence stating otherwise and the repair is shown at the bottom on the invoice. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety has been compromised due to the failure of the vehicle to consistently display overheating or escalating coolant warnings despite substantial coolant loss multiple times. In one incident, the MMI system went black while multiple malfunction lights illuminated, forcing a system restart. This raises concerns about electrical reliability and driver awareness in critical moments. The issue has been confirmed by Audi Dominion in San Antonio, TX across six separate service visits in addition to multiple warranty related visits. Several technician videos documented coolant leaks, part failures, and test results. Audi of America has been formally notified, and I have detailed service records available. Symptoms began in December 2022 and have continued through July 2025. Warning lights and messages have been inconsistent. The vehicle has required coolant top-offs between visits, but the system did not consistently alert me when coolant levels dropped. This inconsistency, along with the unresolved nature of the failures, presents an ongoing safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657203April 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ7. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the instrument cluster became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure was intermittent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 44,540. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653556April 8, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The presense and parking and lane change and rear warning lights go on. Have had the sensors changed and recalibrated. Been to dealership 3 times without a solution. Not sure if the system is functioning or not as is sporadic
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642294February 12, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The wireless phone charging pad in the newer Audi vehicles is a potential fire hazard, and could cause burn injuries or an accident. It also renders the phone being charged inoperable due to overheating shutdown which is equally a safety hazard if there were to be a need to report an emergency. This condition has caused iphone device damage to the battery which could be a serious issue even outside the car after the phone has been removed from the charger pad. Stressing the battery pack over time could cause the phone to explode at any time. This includes public places or god forbid on an airplane. This is a widely documented issue on AudiWorld forums and online. Other users have mentioned reporting this issue to NHTSA with variation of severity. I also read that this affects iPhones more than other brands devices due to the type of wireless charging iPhone devices use. Audi advertises the charger works with all wireless charging phones. Many wireless chargers exist that don’t cause this heat issue so it’s clearly an Audi hardware issue. My particular experience, the charging pad caused my phone to overheat to the point where it shutdown and was no longer able to give me nav notifications or make phone calls. Upon touching the phone it was so hot it burned my hand which put myself and others on the road at risk. My partners iPhone was damaged and needed to be replaced by using this charging pad with a case on the phone which many people have. This is an expensive phone replacement with iPhones over $1000. Any newer Audi with the phone charging pad package will repeat the issue with iPhones with wireless charging. I have tried and confirmed iPhone heating issue in 2 vehicles myself Many people have this experience per online forums. Many have gone to a dealer and it’s apparent it’s a known issue but refuse to provide a fix. There was no warning or indication of the issue from the Audi side of things. Only the iPhone indicated it was going thermal and shut down.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11625174November 14, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Due to "supply chain" issues, Audi downgraded headlights for certain vehicle models / years to the older standard LED headlights instead of the Matrix Design / Matrix Laser lights originally intended; such as the SQ7. Integrated within the headlights, there are 'all-weather lights' that can be manually turned on or off with the main low beam switch turned on or in auto mode (and lights activated due to outside ambient conditions). When the all-weather lights are not fully on through the switch, they are supposed to act as cornering lights and should independently turn on when turning either left or right, but currently do not illuminate at all, even with using the turn signal or not and at any speed. There are no warning messages and local dealer is not aware of any TSBs to fix the vag-com programming issues with the lights not turning on. This is a significant safety issue as driver's view at night while turning is limited due to the forward position of the headlights and lack of the cornering lights turning on. The cornering lights are mentioned in the manual index, but does not provide any additional information. With the cornering lights not working, there is increased risk of hitting a pedestrian or object due to the now limited visibility. This should be a simple programming fix by Audi and has likely been caused due to the 'matrix light delete' for particular effected vehicles during the supply shortage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574768February 29, 2024
ENGINE
The car started over heating at 39,000 miles with the warning that “coolant temperature too high, let engine run with vehicle stationary.” Took it to the dealer for repairs and they said it’s a bad thermostat and water pump which requires the entire front end to be disassembled to change. Surprised that this occurred at only 39,000 miles. Luckily my car is under warranty a few more months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489825October 18, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Sporadic failures of saftey systems by driver warning -Adaptive vehicle assistance Predictive regulation restricted -Audi adaptive light malfunction -Audi pre sense system malfunction -Adaptive vehicle assistance restricted This has happened since new and told by Audi no fix for months related to Audi solution number 2061489/4
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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