Buying a used 2018 Audi Q7? Check these 3 recalls first
Only three recalls, but two are serious: fuel rails that can leak gasoline and a steering system that may suddenly lose control, alongside roof pillar padding that may not absorb impact. What stands out more is complaint volume, at 142 unverified NHTSA reports, the highest of the Q7 years listed. Engine leads with 38, then exterior lighting at 23 and suspension at 16. None of those three areas is addressed by the recalls. Three crashes and three injuries are recorded.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Verify the fuel rail and steering recalls were completed on this specific VIN
- Test every exterior light, including at night, for intermittent failures
- Check for fuel odor or oil leaks and drive over rough pavement to assess suspension
- Open recalls are repaired free at any Audi dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2018 Audi Q7
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Audi Q7, A6 and A7 fuel rails can leak gasoline | Fuel System, Gasoline | critical |
| Audi Q7 and Q8 may suddenly lose steering control | Steering | critical |
| Audi Q7 roof pillar padding may not absorb impact | Structure | medium |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
142 complaints filed for this model year, including 3 mentioning a crash, 0 a fire and 3 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 38 | None found |
| Exterior Lighting | 23 | None found |
| Suspension | 16 | None found |
| Electrical System | 16 | None found |
| Brakes | 12 | None found |
| Steering | 7 | Yes |