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2019 Audi Q7 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Audi Q7 carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering shock absorber and roof and pillars. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear coil spring failure.” Audi follows the VW Group Longlife service rhythm: oil and minor service every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, using oil that meets VW 502 00 / 504 00 (or 508 00 for newer 0W-20 engines) — generic synthetic does not qualify. S tronic dual-clutch gearboxes need fluid service every 40,000 miles despite 'lifetime fill' claims. Fully electric models (e-tron, e-tron GT) skip oil service entirely but keep brake-fluid, cabin-filter, and coolant-circuit intervals.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

Campaign #19V114000 · Feb 20, 2019

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Q7, Q8, S5 Cabriolet, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The front shock absorber forks may develop cracks allowing the shock absorbers to loosen.

Risk: Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the shock absorber forks, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 40O4.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Campaign #20V658000 · Oct 27, 2020

Issue: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

STEERING

Campaign #20V149000 · Mar 16, 2020

Issue: 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.

Risk: A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #20V093000 · Feb 19, 2020

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q7 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly inflate.

Risk: An air bag that does not properly inflate in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AJ.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Audi Q7.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear coil spring failure

SUSPENSION

9 NHTSA complaints · 2023-04 → 2025-06

“At approximately 67,000 miles there was a loud bang and the passenger side rear coil spring was broken”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11641834
“Rear passenger side coil spring failed during vehicle operation. Vehicle has only 61,000 miles and has never seen any heavy duty including trailering anything”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11518964
“On October 9, I brought my 2019 Audi Q7 with approximately 79k miles to my dealership service department for an oil change and an inspection sticker. While in for the service, the dealership performed a multi-point inspection. During the inspection, the service technician found”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11619348

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking and side marker light fault code

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2024-11 → 2025-06

“Yesterday I bought a 2019 Audi Q7 and today I get a warning light stating my right parking lamp is defective. Upon checking the light I found that it was on and working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11668483
“On my 2019 Audi Q7 anytime the headlights are activated either manually or automatically by the vehicle, it will pull up a "Right front parking light defective" error code. This code randomly showed up one day and has persisted ever since”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11648487
“I am filing a complaint and request for a recall on 2019 Audi Q7's side marker light. This is 2019 Model Audi Q7.It has about 60K miles. I start getting a warning message pops up frequently saying "Right front side marker light faulty See owner's manual"”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11627197

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Infotainment display freeze and reboot

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-08 → 2025-12

“While driving, the vehicle’s infotainment system suddenly froze and then rebooted on its own. During the reboot, the display was unavailable for several minutes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11706777
“When the vehicle is connected to a cell phone and reliant on Apple CarPlay for navigation support, the screen will freeze numerous times while in transit. This causes the driver to lose situational awareness”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11635338
“Backup camera malfunctions, often turns blank or fails to activate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11538169

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front tire tread wear and damage

WHEELS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-07 → 2022-02

“At 49,520 miles, dealer reported that tires were "chopped on inner edge and waring on outer edge". Tread depth was reported as 7/32 on front, and 6/32 on back”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11450437
“BOTH FRONT TIRES AT 19,600 MILES HAVE TREAD PEALING OFF THE TIRE. THIS IS OCCURRING ACROSS THE WHOLE TREAD OF THE FRONT TIRES .FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE OF BOTH TIRES.THE REAR TIRES LOOK LIKE NEW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11405506
“WE HAVE A NEW 2019 AUDI Q7 BOUGHT IN DECEMBER 2018 THAT HAS NOW 11900 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED A FEW DAYS AGO THAT THE FRONT TIRES ARE COMPLETELY DAMAGED, FOR NO APPARENT REASON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11341110

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering malfunction warning

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2025-08

“Steering malfunction , stop car warning. On the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11680534
“Driving down the road at 50 mph and warning light came on stating "Steering Malfunction" and lost all steering capacity and had difficultly safely exiting the traveled road to safe location. No steering and avoiding a rear collision due to unexpected breaking to handle car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11664388
“WHILE TURNING ONTO AN EXIT RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY AT A LOW SPEED, MY SON SAID THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP (IT STIFFENED TO THE POINT OF NO MOVEMENT) AND HE COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL.*DT CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO DISREGARD THE REPORT.*JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11363850

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump and fuel level sensor failure

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2023-03 → 2025-10

“During high weather temperature the fuel lines pops off and leaks fuel everywhere”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11600498
“Faulty fuel sensor. Sensor showing low fuel warning while the tank is full”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11588208
“The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the message “emergency vehicle malfunction" displayed and the vehicle began to sputter and hesitate before stalling”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11510654

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended forward collision avoidance braking

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2026-03

“FORWARD COLLISION ENGAGED ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES OR OBSTACLES NEAR. BRAKES SLAMMED ON, AND VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE ROADWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11399700
“The auto brake suddenly braked hard and it was scary. The car reported a collision warning red light for a few seconds. Luckily, there was no car close behind me. While I was driving at about 70 miles per hour on the highway, there was no car in front of me to worry about”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11551936
“My car has experienced unintended automatic emergency braking while driving in active traffic with no obstruction present”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11728044

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Longlife Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace oil and filter every 10,000 miles or 12 months with VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 508 00 spec oil. S and RS models driven hard: many owners shorten to 5,000-7,500 miles. Wrong-spec oil is the leading cause of TFSI timing-chain tensioner and PCV problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate every 10,000 miles with the oil service. quattro models: keep all four tires within 4/32" of each other — mismatched wear stresses the center differential.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and wear sensors every 10,000 miles. Audi uses electronic pad-wear sensors on most models — replace the sensor with the pads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage — Audi's published schedule is time-based because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

S tronic Dual-Clutch Fluid

Every 40,000 mi

S tronic (DSG) gearboxes on A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, TT, and many A5/Q5 models: replace fluid and filter every 40,000 miles with the VW Group-spec fluid for your gearbox code. Skipping this service is the most common cause of mechatronic failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$470–$640

Shop

~$330–$450

DIY

Pro only

VW/Audi DSG service needs a fluid-fill procedure at a specific temperature — shop equipment territory.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

quattro Coupling Fluid (Transverse Models)

Every 40,000 mi

A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, and TT use a Haldex-style rear coupling: replace its fluid roughly every 40,000 miles (some model years specify sooner — check your manual). Longitudinal quattro (A5-A8, Q5, Q8) has no coupling service; see differential fluid instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$220–$290

Shop

~$155–$205

DIY

~$40–$90

VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.

Spark Plugs

Every 40,000 mi

TFSI turbo engines: new plugs every 40,000 miles. RS models with the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder: consider 30,000 miles under track or hard street use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace every 40,000 miles; inspect at 20,000 on turbocharged engines — a clogged filter shows up as sluggish boost response first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Timing Chain (EA888 — Inspect Tensioner)

On condition / lifetime

2.0 TFSI (EA888) engines before roughly 2013 had timing-chain tensioner failures — have the tensioner revision checked by 80,000 miles on earlier cars. Later engines carry the updated design with no scheduled service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Differential Fluid (Longitudinal quattro)

Every 60,000 mi

Q5, Q8, and A5-A8 quattro: independent Audi specialists recommend front/rear differential fluid service around 60,000 miles even where Audi lists it as lifetime fill.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Dust & Pollen Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Audi specifies an activated-carbon filter on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

G12evo / G13 Coolant

On condition / lifetime

Audi coolant is labeled lifetime fill. Independent VW/Audi specialists recommend a refresh around 5 years or 100,000 miles to protect the water pump and thermostat housing — and only with the correct pink/lilac VW Group coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

3 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2019 Audi Q7 reflects Audi's published service intervals and the Audi Service Interval Display system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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