What 67 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Audi Q7

In correspondence with recall number 25V201, the Virtual Cockpit display would go blank while driving, hiding all driver assistance indicators/instruments. Unable to verify engine speed unless looking at the heads up display, but adaptive cruise control/forward collision warnings won’t display. Upon parking and restarting vehicle, the display would work, but will intermittently go blank after some time while resuming driving. Called local dealership and they are aware of issue but since a repair is unavailable, out of pocket costs would be incurred. There have not been any inspections but I’ve scanned the vehicle for error code B200049, documented in previous Audi TSBs related to the virtual cockpit display issue.There were no warnings or indications, prior to the event which occurred less than a week after recall number 25V201 had started.

NHTSA ODI 11653021

Driving on highway at 70 mph and high engine temp light came on. Said to pull over and continue to run car until temp decreased. I got over as quickly as I could ( no more than 1/4 of a mile) and sat on side of PA turnpike as engine cooled. I was at bottom of an exit ramp. I slowly proceeded up the ramp and warning came on again and red temp light reached again. I pulled right into the gas station at top of TP exit ramp. It still said to continue to run the car. I sat with my son in the car and ran the car in the shade. The temp was decreasing and then all my electrical lights came on, yellow battery warning light on and then suddenly the red battery light and all systems failed. Car turned off. Called AAA to take to my mechanic as Audi was a 3 hour wait for a tow and 3 weeks for service appointment with no loaners available. My certified mechanic said water pump completely dislodged. He replaced water pump, thermostat (which was already replaced bc it failed in year 2 of ownership). After repair, 48 volt battery would not take a charge. Assumed faulty alternator and/or battery. Alternator was already replaced once at year 1 as car died while driving as well. We had car towed to audi and they are reporting known issues with water pump but not issuing recalls. Also known issues with alternator repair parts that were used in year 1 but no warning to consumers. They are diagnosing problem now and if alternator and subsequent battery issue, it will be covered but not if battery issue comes back as electrical in nature.

NHTSA ODI 11625504

So models which have digital cockpits that were produced before July 2021 are faulty and the screen goes black. I was on the I95 when the display was gone and I didn’t have a speedometer. The manufacturer is already aware and accepts there’s a issue but doesn’t have a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11624310

During commute dash lit-up with "central indicator light", "Vehicle starting system; malfunction! Please contact Service" warning notice, "Audi pre sense" yellow-lit dash warning light, yellow-lit battery warning light that alternated to red-lit battery warning light. AC automatically shut off, radio shut off, was able to limp vehicle home. Restarting the vehicle gave a "Battery low voltage" reading then a vehicle failure "immediately turn vehicle off when safe" message followed by the "Vehicle starting system; malfunction! Please contact Service" warning notice. Towed Audi to local Audi shop in Charlottesville, VA, where it was diagnosed with starter generator failure, part was reportedly ordered on 27 July 2024; no indication as to whether the part has arrive at Audi shop. No details on the battery as of 01 August 2024.

NHTSA ODI 11605793

Water pump started leaking at 55K miles resulting in low coolant level. Vehicle was inspected by the dealer and confirmed that replacement is required.

NHTSA ODI 11603739

Safety recall for backup camera has tried to be repaired 3 times now and not fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11594789

CARRO COMPRADO 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2024 APROXIMADAMETE A LAS DOS SEMANAS SE PRENDIO LA LUZ DE PRESION DE LLANTAS Y EL ENGINIER, SE LE METIO LA COMPUTADORA Y ARROJO EL CODIGO P0299. SE PAGO POR LA REPARACION EL DEALER LO MANDO A UN TALLER PARTICULAR PORQUE ELLOS MANEJAN ESE TIPO DE CARRO . ACA LO ARREGLARON CUANDO LO MANEJAMOS VOLVIO A SALIR LA LUZ LO ENVIARON NUEVAMENTE AL TALLER Y ELLOS LO REENVIARON A LA AUDI . AHI LO REPARARON VOLVEMOS A MANEJARLO Y SALE LALUZ NUEVAMENTE... AHORA EL VENDEDOR NOS DICE Q HAY PROBLEMA CON LA BOMBA DE AGUA Y Q ESTO ES LO QNOS HACE PRENDER LA LUZ ..SU COSTO APROXIMADO DE 4000 DOLARES... EN CONCLUSION ME VENDIERON EL CARRO MALO.. ME ESTAFARON ... ELLOS NUNCA ME DIERON EL INFORMA DEL CARRO NI DEL SERVICIO Q ELLOS NO LO TENIAN Q HACER...

NHTSA ODI 11579006

Twice in the last 2weeks the vehicle has an electrical system failure while on expressway. This is dangerous as the message tells you to immediately stop driving. On a highway this is a serious hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11577022

My car first had a warning “Electrical system: malfunction! Please contact Service.” I made a appointment at my Audi dealership 2 days later, but the next day i got more warnings. “Automatic start/stop system: malfunction!” then my power steering was not working. I decided to drive straight to the service department that afternoon, but never made it. In rush hour traffic on a busy street, my Q7 started beeping every warning - “Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle”, “Drive system: malfunction! Stop vehicle safely” and the vehicle decreased speed then abruptly turned off. I was so scared that I would get hit by the traffic zooming around me. It wouldn't go into neutral and my parking brake was engaged blinking. I put on my hazard lights and called 911 for traffic assistance while sitting in my car. I was able to safely exit and after calling Audi, I could get my car into neutral and move it off the busy street with the help of some good Samaritans. I had the car towed to Audi. The service department said they have seen this a handful of times and that it's a problem with the accelerator/generator.

NHTSA ODI 11574716

Car displayed electrical Issue when driving daughter to school. Let husband know but was only a yellow warning and had a full day planned. I unfortunately assumed it was just a battery issue and continued with my day, but made an appointment at Audi for repair. I drove to my next appointment and the yellow warning moved to a red warning but I was 20 minutes from home. I called my husband and warned him I’d probably not make it all the way home, I made it another 10 miles and then it completely turned off on the freeway, I was prepared and had stayed in the right lane thinking this could be coming. Towed the car to Audi, they are ordering parts and warned it could be 4 weeks before I got my car back. The “generator” needs to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11560034

Per carfax, my preowned 2021 Q7 with 9k miles has had several visits to audi dealerships. The car was eventually used for a buy back. That said, Audi USA "fixed" the vehicle and sold it. The car is NOT fixed and as the new owner I've waited 2 weeks after buying this car to drive and possess it only to have the battery warning light back on the dashboard after taking possession today. The car was previously at an audi dealership before it was cleared to be shipped to me. It seems Audi is unable to fix this car. I will need to tow it now to another audi dealership as I'm afraid the car will lose all power during any attempt to drive it back to a dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11556707

Battery light on dash red and yellow abs light on.. multi Electric faults. On my massage board and car died on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11556592

Forward Sunroof implosion into passenger compartment. No visible outside debris or projectiles. Vehicle underway, speed approximately 55mph , weather clear, moderate winds, traffic heavy. No accident, minor abrasion injury.

NHTSA ODI 11551504

While driving, vehicle flashed red error codes for an electrical system malfunction and indicated that the vehicle should be stopped as soon as possible. As part of this failure, the auto start/stop for the vehicle became disabled. Vehicle was towed to Audi dealer, and after sitting on the lot for a week, the dealer confirmed that the starter generator for the 48V mild hybrid system failed.

NHTSA ODI 11550555

Starter Generator Failed on 10/12/2023 while the car was being driven. Warning received was "Electrical system: Malfunction! Safely stop vehicle" There are multiple reports online of people experiencing similar problems and have had recalls. We never had a recall and this could have caused a fatality. We feel Audi has been negligent.

NHTSA ODI 11549706

on Sep 17 2023 my wife was driving her Audi Q7. which has 25,780 miles. She drove to a parking lot for a hiking trip, pressed on the brake and the car instead of stopping accelerated. She kept trying to press the brake, however the car did not stop until it hit a tree. The car has been towed to our house and it is not driveable. The car has not been inspected yet. I plan on calling the Audi dealer on Monday, Sep 18th. No lights appeared before the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11545027

While driving with my 4 year-old daughter a notification appeared on the driver display that there is an “Electrical Malfunction” and to call the service department. A few minutes later, while actively driving on the same busy road in my town, the vehicle completely turned off, including the power steering and ABS breaks. I was stuck in the middle of a busy intersection with no hazard lights and no ability to even shift the vehicle into neutral to move it. I was genuinely concerned for my safety and the safety of my daughter, as we were stranded in the middle of a busy intersection during rush hour. It was a harrowing experience to say the least. Eventually we had the vehicle towed. When I called Audi, they informed me that they suspected it was the “starter generator” and that they were aware of the issue, but this was the first I had heard of it. They subsequently confirmed that it was the starter generator and are less than accommodating.

NHTSA ODI 11544452

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds and making a left turn, the vehicle jerked and stalled. The contact was able to pull over into a parking lot. There was an unknown red message displayed regarding the pressure sensor. The driver sustained injuries to the head, arm, neck, and back, but medical attention was not provided. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 26,789. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11538965

The seat belt has now come unlocked from the locked position multiple times without unbuckling the seat. This is an issue because it's the seat belt used to install an infant car seat, so the car seat is not locked into place, which could be a major issue in the event of a crash. The seat belt retractor has randomly unlocked multiple times after being locked into place. The car dealership was unable to replicate the problem, but it has since occurred multiple times at home.

NHTSA ODI 11534930

The right rear seat belt locking retractor, which was locked when I put my son in his car seat, became unlocked in motion during our trip while his car seat was in use. I check the lock each time I place him in his car seat, and it was locked at the beginning of our journey. Having an unlocked safety belt puts a child at risk since their car seat can't be properly secured with an unlocked safety belt. The retractor had worked prior to this instance since I started using it with our car seat 3 months ago. I have reached out to the Audi dealership and have not heard back.

NHTSA ODI 11534121

Electric malfunction signal all sudden appears while driving and engine start malfunction.

NHTSA ODI 11517470

The contact owns a 2021 Audi 7. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle electrical warning messages would suddenly display. One while the wife was driving approximately 20 MPH the vehicle suddenly shut off in the middle of the road. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the alternator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was informed by the service advisor that the failed alternator was a known issue and the manufacturer had extended the warranty for the alternator and the replacement alternator was on a ten-week delay due to the high demand for the part. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515205

285/40R21 At the end of a Vermont ski trip, left to return home on the morning of 3/15/23 at approximately 8am. Outside temperature was approximately 30 deg F and it was snowing. Due to partially snow-covered roadways, speeds were limited to 35-40 mph. After driving for approximately 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning indicated, followed approximately 30 seconds later by catastrophic sidewall failure and complete tire deflation. The rapid loss of tire pressure combined with the slippery road service was extremely dangerous and we were very fortunate in steering the car to a safe parking area without losing control or colliding with other nearby vehicles. Audi roadside assistance was contacted and the car was towed to a local dealer. Upon inspection, the failed tire (original OEM supplied) showed no evidence of puncture, only catastrophic failure of the sidewall. The failed tire is being held at the dealer in Rutland, VT. Because of a similar failure on 11/12/22 with another of the (4), original OEM tires, all (4) tires were replaced with Pirelli tires as it was no longer safe to continue driving on any of the original Continentals.

NHTSA ODI 11514930

285/40R21 I was pulling out of a parking lot onto Rt 40, a secondary, 2-lane road, at approximately 6pm. As I accelerated to approximately 30 mph, without warning I heard a loud noise and felt the pull of the right front tire. I pulled off into a gas station parking area that was nearby and was very fortunate to have avoided an accident due to the significant traffic at the time. Upon inspection, the tire had a complete and catastrophic failure of the sidewall, stranding me at that location until Audi roadside assistance transported the vehicle to our local dealer approximately an hour later.

NHTSA ODI 11514935

Electrical system malfunction causing the car to fail Steering Parking brake Vehicle lights Vehicle starting system Stabilization control

NHTSA ODI 11511573