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Model file · AudiUpdated · 17 sources

Selling a dead or junk Audi Q7

The 2017 Q7 has 320 complaints in NHTSA's file. The 2016 has 2. Nearly a third of the Q7's 1,064 complaints, counted as of October 10, 2026, sit on that single year, and headlights and other exterior lights top its list. Whatever year yours is, a big SUV with a big repair bill can go as is. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and you can sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

A pale blue-silver first-generation Audi Q7 SUV parked beside a sandstone building
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
EPA model years
2007-2026
Complaints to NHTSA
1,064
Year with the most complaints
2017 (320)
Recall campaigns
34
Component named most
Engine (174)
Built in
Bratislava, Slovakia (Wikipedia)

Two generations, two sets of problems

Generation facts below are from Wikipedia's Q7 article. Production began in November 2005 at the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava, Slovakia.

First generation, Typ 4L (built November 2005 to 2015)

The early Q7 offered a 3.6 FSI VR6 or a 4.2 FSI V8 on gas, plus diesels: a 4.2 TDI from 2007 to 2009, a V12 TDI from 2008 to 2012, and a 3.0 TDI clean diesel with selective catalytic reduction from 2009 to 2015. For 2011, two 3.0 supercharged TFSI engines replaced the 3.6 and 4.2.

The fuel and propulsion system leads complaints on most of these years. The 2007, the busiest of the generation at 95 complaints, leads with electrical (29) and fuel/propulsion (17). Recalls follow the fuel. 16V660 covers 2007-2012 gas Q7s and 17V298 covers 2013-2015 ones, for a cracked fuel pump flange that lets fuel out. Both campaigns include the Q5, at 143,214 and 240,487 vehicles. On 2011-2012 Q7s, recall 15V019 swapped the fuel rails and their seals; other Audis were in it too.

Other recalls from these years: 07V334, software for the power rear lid on 2007-2008 models, and 23V086, a corrected rear axle weight label on 2009-2015 Q7s, because the original could let the SUV be overloaded.

Wikipedia says the first-generation Q7 drew hundreds of complaints, many about "potentially catastrophic engine failure," and a class action over squealing replacement brakes. It also notes the emissions-scandal buyback of some cars built from 2009 to 2012. One odd number in the file: the 2013's 43 complaints list 60 injured people.

Second generation, Typ 4M (built May 2015 to 2026)

The second Q7 came with a 2.0 TFSI four, a 3.0 supercharged V6 or a 3.0 TFSI V6, all with an 8-speed ZF automatic. The 2017 is the outlier. Exterior lighting accounts for 113 of its 320 complaints, the engine 54, the electrical system 36. Seven recall campaigns cover it. 16V519 updated the air bag control software on 2017 Q7s built August 30, 2015 to May 8, 2016. 16V641 added a bracket so the third-row seat back would not move forward under load. 16V642 uploaded lighting software and also covers other Audis.

Later years: fuel rails that could leak were swapped under 19V035 (2016-2018). 20V658 replaced C-pillar padding on 2018-2020 Q7s that might not absorb enough in a crash. 21V078 fixed a passenger air bag that could fire its second stage too soon on 2020-2021 models. 22V516 replaced a fuel pump that could break inside on 2020-2021 Q7s and 2019-2021 Q8s. The 2021 has 10 recall campaigns, among them 25V201, an instrument panel software fix.

A third generation, Typ G8, is due to start production in 2026 in Bratislava.

Year-by-year complaints and recalls

NHTSA complaint counts from our October 10, 2026 pull. The youngest Q7s have been on the road only briefly. Every recall vehicle count above is for a whole campaign, often shared with other Audis or VWs.

YearComplaintsCrashesInjuredLeading componentCampaigns
20079523Electrical (29)3
2008-201213537Mostly fuel/propulsion3-4 each year
201343360Fuel/propulsion (12)3
20144532Fuel/propulsion (10)2
20154511Engine (10)2
2016200Air bags / seat belts (1 each)1
2017320710Exterior lighting (113)7
201814333Engine (36)3
20196250Suspension (9)4
20203012Electrical (10)5
20218135Electrical (41)10
20222522Engine (9)3
2023-20263813Mixed1-3 each year

All Q7 years: 34 crashes, 7 fires, 98 injured, no deaths, and 27 complaints that mention a tow.

Deciding whether to repair it

Start with a written quote. Next, find what the same Q7 brings when it runs. If the Q7 repair quote takes up most of that figure, sell it unfixed instead.

  1. Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Fuel pumps, fuel rails and air bag software have all been recall jobs on the Q7.
  2. TDI with emissions faults? Diesel DPF or DEF trouble covers what those repairs involve.
  3. Engine failed? See blown engine before you approve a swap.
  4. Too big to move? Junk truck or SUV covers selling the large ones.

Selling your Q7 whole

  1. Keep the Q7's VIN, miles and problems handy. If it has air suspension, say whether it has dropped.
  2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
  3. Describe the spot it's in and the space around it. A Q7 in a narrow garage needs a different approach than one on the street. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
  4. Sell the Q7 whole. The wheels, battery and converter stay on.
  5. When the driver arrives, sign the title over, give up the keys and show ID. See after you sell for plates and insurance.

Other Audi SUVs: the Q5, Q8 and e-tron, or every Audi model.

Questions people ask

Why does the 2017 Q7 have so many complaints?
It has 320 as of October 10, 2026, almost a third of all Q7 complaints. The exterior lighting leads (113), then the engine (54) and the electrical system (36). Seven recall campaigns cover that year, including air bag software and a third-row seat bracket.
Was my diesel Q7 part of the emissions buyback?
Wikipedia says the Q7 was one of the vehicles in the Volkswagen emissions scandal, and the company was ordered to buy back some affected cars built between 2009 and 2012. If you never dealt with it, check with Audi before you sell.
Do you buy a Q7 with a dead engine?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, big SUVs included, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Say if your Q7 rolls and where it sits, and we send a truck that fits.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. EPA fuel economy data (Audi Q7 model years 2007-2026) fueleconomy.gov
  2. NHTSA complaints flat file, downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 07V334000: power rear lid nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 15V019000: fuel rails nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 16V660000: fuel pump flange nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 17V298000: fuel pump flange nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 23V086000: axle weight rating label nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 16V519000: air bag control module software nhtsa.gov
  10. NHTSA recall 16V641000: third-row seat back nhtsa.gov
  11. NHTSA recall 16V642000: exterior lighting software nhtsa.gov
  12. NHTSA recall 19V035000: fuel rails nhtsa.gov
  13. NHTSA recall 20V658000: C-pillar padding nhtsa.gov
  14. NHTSA recall 21V078000: passenger air bag second stage nhtsa.gov
  15. NHTSA recall 22V516000: fuel pump nhtsa.gov
  16. NHTSA recall 25V201000: instrument panel software nhtsa.gov
  17. Wikipedia: Audi Q7 (generations, engines, emissions buyback) en.wikipedia.org