2021 Audi Q7 Safety Report
2021 Audi Q7 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Audi Q7
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 (9) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (62) | 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 | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Audi Q7 with 0 complaints and 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi Q7 | 23 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Audi Q7 | 59 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Audi Q7 | 0 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Audi Q7 | 134 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Audi Q7 | 13 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Audi Q7 | 309 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Audi Q7 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Electrical System
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyEngine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Service Brakes,Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Audi Q7
Reliability Score
The 2021 Audi Q7 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Audi Q7
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Audi Q7:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Issues with the instrument cluster and sensing systems are frequent, especially around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Water pump failures and coolant intrusion are common, leading to engine shutdowns and safety risks. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention Sensing system malfunctions can occur, but are less frequent than electrical and engine issues. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belts Retractor issues are rare but have been reported, particularly in rear seats. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Audi Q7:
Issues with the instrument cluster and sensing systems are common.
Water pump failures and coolant intrusion are frequent.
Sensing system malfunctions can occur.
Retractor issues are rare.
Recall Details for the 2021 Audi Q7
The following 9 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Audi Q7 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rear...
Consequence: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DR.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate ear...
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BV.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6 and RS7 vehicles. The electrical connector can detach from the door crash sensor in either of the front doors.
Consequence: A detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the crash sensors in both front doors, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BM.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Audi Q7
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Audi Q7 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety-related recall on my Audi Q7 involving the alternator. The wording of the recall is significantly underplayed, written off as an emissions issues. When in reality this is a life threatening flaw in the alternator. It is highly concerning that Audi isn’t being transparent with people who are driving these cars and risking their lives while doing so....
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that the rear-view mirrors on the driver's side failed to indicate when another vehicle, person, or object was nearby the vehicle. The passenger's side rear-view mirror's audible alarm occasionally erroneously alerted the driver that there was a vehicle, a person, or an object nearby the vehicle. The infotainment screen occasionally blacked out, ...
I was driving on the freeway and got off on an exit ramp at high speeds and began to slow down and break. As I was breaking the car became clunky and slowed down and suddenly shut off. The warning lights “transmission failure and “ESC failure” came on and I was unable to drive or put the car into gear. The car flashed “stop. Pull over” and “not safe to drive” and see “Audi dealer”. The car would n...
The vehicle was parked on a sloped driveway. After the driver exited the car, the automatic parking brake/Auto-P fail-safe failed to engage. The vehicle rolled backward unexpectedly, causing the driver-side door to strike a fire hydrant and rebound into the driver's body. There is significant property damage ($6000) and personal injury. Complete home security video footage of the incident is avail...
- Engine water pump failure and coolant intrusion into the vacuum system. Parts were replaced on 5 Nov 2025 and possible still at the dealer's location. - The defect poses the following safety risks: It resulted in contamination of vacuum lines; potential for sudden engine stalling or loss of power while driving; potential for catastrophic damage to engine-management systems dependent on vacuum in...
An alert popped up on the dashboard. Stating driver system malfunction. This happened on the freeway and then the car shut down immediately. I've gotten this notification over 8 times and it has yet to be fixed. I'm extremely anxious and terrified when driving this vehicle, because my 3 children are in this vehicle while im driving. All services has been all done at audi oakland, they have all the...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System). The interface turned off, and the touchscreen was inoperable. The CP message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed that the USB port was not working and was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. T...
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety and mechanical issue involving my 2021 Audi Q7. The alternator on my vehicle was replaced by Audi in November 2024 as part of an official Audi recall. On October 22, 2025, less than one year later, the alternator failed while I was driving, causing the following safety hazards and damages: Sudden loss of battery power Complete battery drain D...
My water pump went out on my 2021Q7. The car had 57271 miles on it. I looked up the Vin and it is not covered in the class action lawsuit however, my model and my year comes up but not my Vin. I feel a water pump should last until 100,000 miles.
During a routine service on my 2021 Audi Q7, the shop found the coolant level low and traced it to a leak. The Audi dealer later diagnosed failure of the water pump, thermostat, valves, and related parts, with a repair estimate of nearly $5,000. I discovered that prior model years (up to 2020) were included in a class action lawsuit for the same type of cooling system failures, though my VIN is no...
I continue to smell a foul, moldy odor almost every time I turn on the air conditioner or heater. It has been a problem since I purchased the vehicle in August of 2024. I took the car back to the dealer from which I purchased it FOUR times. They finally “fixed” the issue by clearing out some tube. However, the issue has presented itself again. I had the cabin filter replaced last week to no avail....
El carro fue comprado en febrero 2024 en greenway ford inclui un paquete de cambio de aceite,rotacion de llantas y cambio de los limpiabrisas.esto ha sido un dolor de cabeza. cada vez que se le realiza el servicio sale con la luz del ingenier prendido, en la computadora de auto zone aparece TURBOCHARGER INTERCOOLER(P0299). Ademas El asiento del pasajero esta siempre muy caliente el carro gasta dem...
On [XXX], I experienced multiple failures of core safety systems in my 2021 Audi Q7 that put my 17-month-old child at serious risk and exposed critical flaws in how the vehicle’s systems operate and record events. On [XXX], the pre sense automatic braking system suddenly engaged while I was driving approximately 35 mph on a clear, empty suburban road. There were no visible obstructions, no warnin...
The recall involves the virtual cockpit instrument cluster. Audi requires the use of the vehicle’s USB port to complete the update. However, my USB system is not functioning properly. •The Issue: Audi has refused to perform the recall because of the inoperable USB. They have stated that without the USB, they cannot install the update. They are not offering any alternative method or solution to ens...
I am reporting a severe defect in my 2020 Audi Q7 involving “coolant migration” due to a faulty water pump, a known issue in Audi models (Q7, S4, A6, 2013–2022). This poses critical safety risks due to sudden failure with minimal warning. My out-of-warranty Q7 showed minor coolant fouling near a solenoid, with normal coolant levels and no fluid added. The dealer quoted ~$6,000 to replace the water...
The instrument cluster failed as was reported in a previous recall. This failure was caused by a hardware problem which was fixed via a software update. Unfortunately, the hardware (instrument cluster) has already been compromised and warning lights are all lit up and some warnings aren't working and the instrument panel still goes blank when driving.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure from occurring. The contact stated that two days after the recall repair, several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge failed to provid...
There is a recall for my issue from Audi 90VC. The “remedy” is a software update that a previous dealer and Audi field techs say willl not fix my issue. It’s a hardware issue. The remedy provided for the recall is a facade and doesn’t fix the root cause of the issue. I’m one that actually have the symptoms of the cockpit failed (completely blank screen) but yet Audi is telling me I have to pay to ...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster display was inoperable and could not be viewed by the driver. During the failure, the driver was unable to view the speedometer and turn signals. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not re...
Both of the screens went blank while I was driving and the top one showed this: ENGINEERING +Update + Activation keys +Version information +Reboot to normal mode
Showing 20 of 62 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Audi Q7
Has the 2021 AUDI Q7 been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 AUDI Q7 has 9 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 AUDI Q7 have?
The 2021 AUDI Q7 has 62 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 AUDI Q7?
The 2021 AUDI Q7 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 AUDI Q7?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 AUDI Q7 involve electrical system (16 complaints), unknown or other (6 complaints), engine (5 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,service brakes,engine, electrical system,engine, electrical system,unknown or other,service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2021 AUDI Q7 have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2021 AUDI Q7 out of 62 total complaints (4.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 AUDI Q7 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 AUDI Q7 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 AUDI Q7?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI Q7.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 AUDI Q7?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI Q7. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 AUDI Q7?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 AUDI Q7 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 62 complaints, 9 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 AUDI Q7?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 AUDI Q7 are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (16 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 3. ENGINE (5 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE (3 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (3 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 16 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 AUDI Q7?
Be aware of potential electrical and engine issues, especially around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regular maintenance can help prevent these problems. The 2021 AUDI Q7 has 62 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2021 AUDI Q7?
The 2021 AUDI Q7 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 62 owner complaints, 9 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Engine.
What are the known issues with the 2021 AUDI Q7?
Known issues with the 2021 AUDI Q7 include: Electrical System, Engine, Back Over Prevention, Seat Belts. These are based on patterns found across 62 NHTSA complaints. 9 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2021 Audi Q7?
The most common issues are electrical system problems, such as instrument cluster malfunctions, and engine problems, like water pump failures.
Are there any recalls related to the 2021 Audi Q7?
Yes, there are recalls for electrical system issues, engine problems, and back over prevention system malfunctions.
What should I do if I experience electrical or engine issues?
Contact your local Audi dealer for inspection and repair to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical and engine issues, especially around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regular maintenance can help prevent these problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Audi Q7
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Audi Q7. The data includes 62 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 9 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
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