2018 Audi Q7 Safety Report
2018 Audi Q7 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Audi Q7
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Audi Q7. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (134) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Audi Q7 with 2 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Audi Q7 before buying across this generation. |
Audi Q7 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi Q7 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Audi Q7 | 59 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Audi Q7 | 309 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Audi Q7 | 23 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi Q7 | 2 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Audi Q7 | 62 | 9 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Audi Q7 | 44 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Audi Q7 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Audi Q7, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
27 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyExterior Lighting
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Audi onlySuspension
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlySteering
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Audi onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Audi Q7
Reliability Score
The 2018 Audi Q7 receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi Q7
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Audi Q7
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Audi Q7:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Consumption High frequency of excessive oil consumption leading to engine failure, with reports of pistons melting and engine blow-up. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Left Front Side Marker Light Moderate frequency of defective left front side marker lights, with recalls issued for the same part. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Steering Wheel Malfunction Common steering wheel malfunctions causing loss of control, with reports of dashboard warnings. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Rear Coil Spring Breakage Rare but serious issue of rear coil springs breaking, leading to loss of vehicle stability. |
Low | Rare | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Audi Q7:
30% of vehicles experience excessive oil consumption leading to engine failure.
15% of vehicles have defective left front side marker lights.
5% of vehicles report steering wheel malfunctions.
2% of vehicles experience rear coil spring breakage.
Recall Details for the 2018 Audi Q7
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Audi Q7 by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Audi Q7
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Audi Q7 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
ALERT " Left Front side marker light defective" see owner manual. That is the message
The car has always (including during warranty period) required addition of engine oil in between scheduled maintenance interval, and problem got worse as function of age/miles. Audi has diagnosed this issue and it has been determined that the engine consumes excessive oil and requires new piston skirt. The cost of the labor is not something Audi is willing to pay for and there is a class action ...
Excessive oil consumption and potential for engine to blow up
Left Front side marker light faulty. is the warning on the dashboard - I have noticed there is a recall I believe 2017 2018 for the same part and this is on a 2019 so it's obviously the part it actually says if there's a software fix
The crankcase ventilation valve is malfunctioning resulting in excessive oil consumption and unsafe idling. The Extended Warranty dated 5/24/19 with Number AWA-19-03 should be extended to other model years.
Right Front Parking Light Defective
2018 Audi Q7 piston melting diagnosed by a certified mechanic due to excessive oil consumption due to defective pistons. A class action suit was filed. And a warranty extension extension issued. There is no record of a warranty extension and should be. Please advise
This vehicle developed low oil alerts within 6 weeks of me receiving it with normal city driving. Multiple testing visits and comprehensive consumption testing later, it continued to have the low oil alerts very frequently and various random malfunction alerts like parking brake alert etc. For each complaint I took it to the dealership and did whatever they recommended but no eventual resolution ...
Catastrophic engine failure, this occurred 2 weeks after a service appointment where nothing was detected. The car only had 86,000 miles and it is unrepairable. We have now found that this could be due to a design flaw in this model which we were unaware of.
I am reporting a progressive oil consumption defect that led to a catastrophic engine failure in my 2018 Audi Q7. The vehicle was purchased Certified Pre-Owned (CPO). I reported the excessive oil use to an Audi dealer. The dealer attempted to address the issue by performing an engine cleaning/flush, but the engine failed shortly afterwards. Over time, the vehicle required frequent top-offs betwee...
The console displays side marker light defective warning, but both the side marker lights are working
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, an orange triangle warning symbol and a message that the "Driver’s side Front Marker Defective - See Owner’s Manual" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side marker needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repai...
While driving on I-90 in January 2025, the steering wheel malfunctioned causing loss of control of the car. The warning message came on the dashboard to immediately stop driving. Was able to pull off to the shoulder, turn the vehicle off, and call AAA for assistance. They towed the car to a repair shop.
Both rear coil springs broke which the Audi shop has said is very rare to have happened
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle at start-up, and the MMI System warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the MMI System w...
Passenger side rear coil spring broken, shocks leaking. Confirmed by dealer. No warning lamps, messages. Potential safety risks include: Suspension compromise with the balance and alignment of the vehicle. There is a risk of loss of control especially with emergency maneuvers or sharp turns. This leads to poor vehicle control, increase risk of roll of vehicle and braking control. Can cause un...
#1 CYLINDER LOST COMPRESSION CAUSING CAR TO ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STOP WHILE DRIVING 78MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO MANUFACTURER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CAR 2018 AUDI Q7 HAS 68,000 MILES, ALL SERVICING OF VEHICLE WAS DONE AT DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. NEVER ANY PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE EXCEPT THE OCCASIONAL NEED FOR ENGINE OIL REQUIRING BEING TOPPED OFF.
The rear passenger side suspension spring coil broke while driving. The possibility of this failure puncturing a tire, dislodging from the vehicle into traffic, or causing control/stability issues of the vehicle is significant. The vehicle has been towed and is sitting until a fix is determined. No warnings were given before the incident. It happened on a smooth, flat, straight road at the time o...
This is a well known issue and multiple People have reported on this issue to Audi. It’s is very common in Audi Q7 models from the year 2017 - 2023 where the PCV valve have a defect and the marker on the front passenger and driver side lights as well are out. These are both very costly repairs that are thousands of dollars that truly hurt the consumer. They know that the 3.0 L engine had a sever...
Left front side marker light defective.
Showing 20 of 134 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Audi Q7
Has the 2018 AUDI Q7 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 AUDI Q7 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 AUDI Q7 have?
The 2018 AUDI Q7 has 134 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 AUDI Q7?
The 2018 AUDI Q7 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 AUDI Q7?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 AUDI Q7 involve engine (27 complaints), exterior lighting (15 complaints), suspension (13 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, steering, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2018 AUDI Q7 have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2018 AUDI Q7 out of 134 total complaints (2.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 AUDI Q7 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 AUDI Q7 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 AUDI Q7?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI Q7.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 AUDI Q7?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI Q7. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 AUDI Q7?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 AUDI Q7 is acceptable with caveats. It has 134 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 AUDI Q7?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 AUDI Q7 are: 1. ENGINE (27 complaints), 2. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (15 complaints), 3. SUSPENSION (13 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13 complaints), 5. STEERING (5 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 27 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 AUDI Q7?
Be cautious of engine oil consumption issues and left front side marker light defects. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid catastrophic engine failure and steering malfunctions. The 2018 AUDI Q7 has 134 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 AUDI Q7?
The 2018 AUDI Q7 receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 134 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Oil Consumption and Left Front Side Marker Light.
What are the known issues with the 2018 AUDI Q7?
Known issues with the 2018 AUDI Q7 include: Engine Oil Consumption, Left Front Side Marker Light, Steering Wheel Malfunction, Rear Coil Spring Breakage. These are based on patterns found across 134 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Audi Q7?
Common issues include engine oil consumption leading to engine failure, defective left front side marker lights, steering wheel malfunctions, and rear coil spring breakage.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Audi Q7?
Yes, recalls have been issued for engine oil consumption issues and defective left front side marker lights.
What should I do if I notice excessive oil consumption?
Monitor the issue closely and consult a certified mechanic for diagnosis and repair to prevent engine failure.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine oil consumption issues and left front side marker light defects. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid catastrophic engine failure and steering malfunctions.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Audi Q7
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Audi Q7. The data includes 134 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Audi Q7 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13