general problems of the 2021 Audi Q7

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 warning lights, and nothing recorded in the vehicle’s logs. This occurred less than 48 hours after the vehicle had received recall-related software updates and routine service at an Audi dealership. Prior to that service, the vehicle had no history of mechanical or safety issues. The following day, the keyless entry and anti-lockout system failed. I placed my toddler in his rear-facing car seat behind the front passenger seat and set our baby bag—with the key fob inside—on the rear seat. After closing the door and walking to the driver’s side, the car unexpectedly locked. The fob and my child were both inside. The outdoor temperature was over 90°f. I attempted to open the vehicle and then to break the window with tools, without success. After approximately seven minutes, I broke the driver’s side window with a sledgehammer and removed my child from the car. The car alarm eventually activated, but no lock-in event, key fob error, or warning was recorded. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership twice and Audi corporate engineers once. Audi confirmed faults in the emergency call module, comfort system, rear lid sensor, and parking sensors. However, they could not reproduce or explain the braking event or lock-in failure. Audi confirmed that the vehicle should not be able to lock with the key inside, and they do not know why it did and are unable to guarantee the safety feature will work in the future. The vehicle has not been driven since. The failure of both safety function and system visibility placed my child in danger. I am requesting a safety investigation. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information.

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 pump and vacuum system. This defect is highly dangerous due sudden power loss: coolant in the vacuum system impairs solenoids and lines, disrupting engine/turbo function. This can cause abrupt power loss, risking loss of control in traffic or at high speeds, potentially leading to collisions. Catastrophic overheating: a failing water pump may halt coolant circulation, causing rapid engine overheating without warning, risking sudden engine shutdown and stranding drivers in hazardous conditions like highways. Brake assist failure: the vacuum system powers the brake booster. Contamination can reduce braking effectiveness, increasing pedal effort and stopping distances, heightening collision risks in emergencies. Emissions control issues: coolant fouling affects pcv and evap systems, causing misfires, stalling, or increased emissions, potentially triggering check engine lights and compromising engine stability. Undetectable progression: the defect often shows no clear symptoms or warnings until severe damage occurs. My vehicle had only minor fouling that could only be detected by visual inspection, yet extensive repairs were needed, indicating the issue’s stealthy nature, which prevents timely driver intervention. Systemic issue: forums and a class-action lawsuit confirm this defect across Audi models, yet owners face high repair costs post-warranty. This defect endangers drivers and others by risking vehicle failure, impaired braking, and unstable performance. I urge NHTSA to investigate and mandate a recall or extended warranty.

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 provide an accurate reading for the fuel. The contact stated that the check coolant and temperature warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q7. The contact stated 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 repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 25v201000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 52,000.

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.

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.

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 have this safety recall/issue fixed.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Electrical system malfunction causing the car to fail steering parking brake vehicle lights vehicle starting system stabilization control.

Multiple warnings indicating to contact dealer (lane departure, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, electric system malfunction, steering malfunction) then a few minutes later transmission failure and engine failure imminent. . . . Attempted to move out of traffic. Luckily, I made it to the right lane before the steering shut down, then the transmission failed (stepping on the gas caused the engine to rev, but no power was delivered to the wheels), and last the car completely died. Had to have it towed to dealership. Dealership confirmed that the starter/generator failed.

My 2021 is having an issue with the starter generator. Apparently this is a issue with many Audi's.

At approximately 3:15pm cst on Friday, January 13, 2023, several electrical system warnings appeared, and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the street. We were able to restart the vehicle twice, but only able to drive it about 10 feet to move it out of the middle of the street. We then had the vehicle towed to the dealership for repairs. The dealer has told us that the electrical generator failed and needs to be replaced. It should be available for inspection, if needed. No other party, such as police or insurance, has inspected the vehicle. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk, because the vehicle died in the middle of the street with little warning and could only be moved a short distance from there. Pictures of some of the warnings are attached.

While driving the vehicle, error messages began appearing on the in-panel dashboard display. At first, a yellow/orange battery icon appeared with the message "electrical system: malfunction! please contact service". Within an hour, the car experienced another electrical system malfunction (red battery icon appeared with the message "electrical system: malfunction! safely stop vehicle") along with a host of other error messages (brakes: malfunction, steering: malfunction, parking brake: malfunction, vehicle lights: malfunction, stabilization control (esc/abs): malfunction, drive system: malfunction, transmission: malfunction). The car was undrive-able at this point, coasted to a stop and could not be restarted while on an active roadway. The car had to be towed to the dealership, where it still remains today. * components or systems malfunctioned: electrical system, brakes, steering, parking brake, vehicle lights, stabilization control (esc/abs), drive system, transmission. It is available at the Audi dealership service location for inspection * my safety was put in significant danger due to the car shutting down on an active roadway with no control over the vehicle. * the problem has been confirmed by the dealer. * the vehicle has been inspected by the dealership service center but not by police or insurance representatives. * many warning lamps and messages appeared within an hour of the car becoming inoperable.

Electrical failure indicator lit up. I was on my way to the dealership service center. Within 10 minutes of driving, the car completely shutdown right at a busy intersection and before an active railroad crossing. Tow truck was called by the police as the car was not starting and therefore undriveable.

I pulled out of the gym after using my key fob to unlock and start vehicle. Got a warning asking if key was in the car, it was, and warning went away. A 1/4 mile later, while the car was in drive and idle at a red light, the car completely shut/locked down and alarm started blaring saying there was no key. The key was in the car (it had just unlocked and started the car less than 4 minutes earlier). The car defaults to on of an auto/on function (gas saving feature?), and I believe that becuase the car was waiting at the light, prompted the computer to misfire functions. I was stuck in traffic and could not get the car to start for over 3 lights length of time. I also found I had no control of the hazard lights. I was able to eventually get it to turn on, alarm persisted. I then drove it home with alarm still blaring and got my spare key, the alarm shut of briefly and then turned back on. I then drove it to Audi servicing while alarm blaring. They assessed the vehicle over the past 10 days and simply told me it was due to the key fob battery dying. Meaning: they are telling me that this is normal and will continue to happen every time my battery dies. This is very dangerous. I don't know how/if they actually confirmed the battery was dead or simply changed it out. The key fob battery dying should not cause a car, while in drive, to completely shut/lock down. This is a huge safety issue. Someone could have not seen me and rear ended me. Or if I was in traffic on the freeway and my fob battery dies, then I would really be in trouble. I have other Audis and a fob key dying has never caused a lock down. Once the car is in motion, the ability of the key fob to affect the ignition or engine should be zero. I believe this issue needs to be looked into and am not getting good response or action from Audi. I do not feel safe driving a car that will lock down while in drive, and my concern extends to other people who may find themselves in this situation.

Was driving around 30 mph. Audi Q7started showing malfunctions on the dashboard, stabilization control malfunction, transmission malfunction, startup system malfunction, backup system malfunction, drivers assist malfunction, tire pressure malfunction, drive system malfunction. The vehicle started to brake on it own, fishtailed and then started to accelerate on its own.

Upper dashboard display (mmi) loses power, upon reboot, Audio volume comes on full power momentarily. This loud noise is both startling and distracting to the driver. The failure is sporadic and Audi has been unsuccessful in resolving the issue.