Audi Q7 Reliability and Common Problems

The Audi Q7 is a large luxury SUV. Because it caters to a niche market, the Audi Q7 depreciates quite a lot after five years. While most SUVs only depreciate around 45% to 55% after five years, the Audi Q7 will lose 59% of its value, according to CarEdge.com.

The Audi Q7 debuted in 2006, and for over a decade, it has catered to owners who wanted a luxurious ride with plenty of room for family road trips.

Is the Audi Q7 Reliable?

The Audi Q7 isn’t particularly known for reliability. RepairPal has given the Q7 a score of 2.5 out of 5.0, which is average. Because of its unexceptional score, the Q7 suffers from frequent visits to the mechanic and has expensive ownership costs. Full-size SUV owners visit mechanics for unexpected repairs around 0.7 times a year, but Audi Q7 owners visit their mechanics 0.9 times a year on average. On the other hand, the probability of a repair on the Q7 being severe is 13%, which is below the 19% average for luxury full-size SUVs.

The mediocre RepairPal score is because SUVs are generally known to have higher ownership costs and more frequent visits to the mechanic than sedans.

But even though the Q7 will cause owners to visit their mechanic often, its smaller probability of having severe repairs can be attributed to the fact that like most German brands, Audi pays close attention to components such as the engine and transmission.

Audi Q7 Problems

Tendency for Engine to Misfire

Eighty-four people have reported that their Q7 buck and shudder while driving and the check engine light will illuminate. This only tends to happen after they start the engine cold. One owner had to go back to the dealer three times to have it checked. In the end, mechanics weren’t able to fix the issue. Dealerships seem to have a problem diagnosing which component is faulty, as owners report that valve cleaning, replacement spark plugs, and new coils didn’t fix the problem. As a result, many owners have spoken about their frustration with the brand.

Misfires may seem like a negligible problem, but if left ignored, they can cause severe damage to your engine, resulting in expensive engine repairs.

Updating the power control module’s software was one repair that fixed the issue for a handful of owners. This problem seems to occur in the 2007 to 2011 Audi Q7.

Knock Sensor Failure

Several owners have reported that they were alerted that their knock sensor had failed because of a check engine light. Luckily, owners have noted that no other issue arose other than the illuminated light, which is good because faulty knock sensors typically result in poor acceleration and even engine damage. Nineteen owners have reported this issue for 2007 to 2012 Q7 models.

RepairPal technicians say that one fix would be to replace the knock sensor and the bracket that attaches it to the engine’s side. You should also add heat shielding material to protect the new sensor.

Electrical Issues Caused by Leaking Sunroof

There are 31 reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding many electrical components like radios, indicators, and lights malfunctioning as a result of water leaking through the Q7’s sunroof. Several owners have reported that their radios would suddenly stop working because water had found its way into the amplifiers. One owner has reported that he smelled burning wiring after the initial short-circuit caused by a trip to a carwash. He found the rear right amplifier completely soaked in water because a drain tube ran near the speakers.

Two owners have reported that they had to restore their vehicle’s drainage system to ensure that the leak didn’t occur, as well as replace the multimedia interface head unit alongside the vehicle’s Bose speakers, which weren’t covered by the warranty. One owner had to pay $800 while the other was charged $900. The latter owner, however, had the problem recur several months later.

This issue seems to be prevalent in the 2007 Audi Q7. Since electronics and water don’t mix, this issue exposes passengers to the risk of fire as well as electrocution.

Squeaking Brakes

An issue with the 2017 Q7’s brakes causes them to squeak whenever owners would use them at any speed. While the brakes didn’t have any functional or performance issues, the sound is quite distracting and owners have reported being annoyed by this. Many owners have also reported the issue to Audi and the company has stated that they are looking into this issue.

This problem seems to be common in the 2017 Q7. Two owners even decided to sue Audi. However, the automaker still argues that the brake making noise doesn’t equate to them having a defect because the brakes didn’t fail to slow down the SUV. Audi has agreed to settle, but they continue to state that there is nothing wrong with the Q7.

The class-action lawsuit made Audi include a new vehicle warranty, which covers any repairs that are from a manufacturing defect for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. But given how common the issue is, it’s questionable how many customers will benefit from this extension because 50,000 miles isn’t a lot and many owners may have already exceeded this mileage.

While owners have reported being unsure about how to repair this issue, Audi’s method of repairing the issue consists of replacing the front brake pads and installing one new lower spring in each brake capacitor so that there are two springs per caliper instead of one.

We hope knowing about these common issues can inform your decision on getting a used Audi Q7. All SUV models tend to have a few common problems, so learning about the experience of other drivers can help you decide whether a specific SUV is worth it or not.

Where to Get Audi Q7 Parts for Your Ride

Your Audi Q7 is a dependable vehicle. However, it doesn’t mean its parts are immune to wear and tear. To avoid jeopardizing your ride’s performance, make sure that its faulty parts are replaced as soon as possible. Here at CarParts.com, we have everything you need when it comes to high-quality Audi Q7 parts.

Our collection of Audi Q7 replacement parts and accessories is sourced from reputable brands. These products have undergone strict quality checks to ensure their functionality and durability. We have parts designed as direct-fit replacements, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.

All you have to do is go to our website and look for the vehicle selector tool. Input your ride’s specific details to browse compatible parts for your vehicle.

Worried about the price?  Our products come with a low-price guarantee, so you’re sure to get a high-quality replacement without breaking the bank. You can also expect swift delivery thanks to our strategically located distribution centers.

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