CSR

Audi · NHTSA safety record

2013 Audi Q7

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

41

Complaints

3

Crashes

1

Fires

60

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Audi Q7 have filed 41 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2014 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the fuel and propulsion system, named in 12 of them (29%). The typical failure was reported at 70,000 miles, the median across the 23 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

23V086000 · February 15, 2023

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2009-2015 Q7 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and Part 567, "Certification."
The risk
An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct rear GAWR on top of the existing safety certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50G5.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 12,100 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

17V298000 · May 3, 2017

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 240,487 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

14V516000 · August 26, 2014

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013 Audi Q7 vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, to November 29, 2012 and equipped with a 3.0L TDI engine. In the affected vehicles, a check valve in the engine may become contaminated with plastic debris and allow engine oil to leak into the brake booster.
The risk
If oil leaks into the brake booster, the brake booster diaphragm may rupture causing a loss of power braking assist, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace a vacuum line, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the brake booster system for oil contamination and, if oil contamination is present, additional components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47L8.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. · up to 1,814 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 41.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12 29%
ENGINE 11 27%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 7 17%
POWER TRAIN 4 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 7%
AIR BAGS 2 5%
STEERING 2 5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 8.

2014 2018 2026
2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

60 injured · crash · towed

On expressway, rear-ended and pushed into car in front too, so hit on both ends and no airbags deployed in the Audi Q7. Four vehicles were involved and the other three cars all had airbags deploy. Both front passengers hit their heads. Driver has whiplash and passenger has forehead skin abrasion. The car was always serviced by Audi only and was not on the airbag recall list. It apparently should be on the list, something is defective and owners have a false sense of assumed security in this car.

NHTSA complaint 11495385. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 60,000 miles

ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND HE ONLY GOT 2 BLOCKS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE THE CAR BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE. HE QUICKLY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE! THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE CAR NEAR THE RIGHT WHEEL BASE. I HAVE 3 YOUNG CHILDREN ALL IN CAR SEATS AND I SHUDDER JUST THINKING ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE WERE IN THE CAR INSTEAD OF ONLY MY HUSBAND. THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT CAUSING MASSIVE WATER DAMAGE. HOWEVER, THE SMOKE AND FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE PORTIONS OF THE BACK SEAT, SIDE PANEL, AND ROOF THAT WERE MELTED. THE OFFICIAL FIRE REPORT SAID

NHTSA complaint 11222274, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY BY THE CONTACT AND LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER (AUDI BROOKLYN 665 65TH ST, BROOKLYN, NY, 11220). THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V516000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 10993367. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS

crash · 103,000 miles

APRIL 30,2020. I WAS USING A "NEW" JACK THAT WAS SUPPLIED WITH THE CAR. THE JACK WAS ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE IN MY GARAGE. THE JACK FAILED AND BROKE, DUMPING THE SUV ON ITS FRONT RIGHT SIDE, FROM WHICH THE WHEEL HAD BEEN REMOVED. BEFORE USING THE JACK, AN AUDI SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE DIDN'T LIKE TO USE THE JACKS, BECAUSE THEY WERE KNOWN, WITHIN AUDI, TO FAIL. THE SERVICE MANAGER, HAVING MORE EXPERIENCE THAN I, JACKED THE CAR UP, USING THE JACK THAT WAS SOLD WITH THE CAR. THE RT. FT WHEEL WAS REMOVED AND PUT IN THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WHILE UNATTENDED FOR 5 MINUTES, DURING THE TRANSFER, THE JACK GAVE OUT. AFTERWARD, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE ROTARY JACK WOULD NOT LIFT OR

NHTSA complaint 11322965, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
On XXX, I was driving northbound on US-101 from [XXX] to [XXX] to pick up a family member for an appointment. The vehicle had been operating normally at freeway speed. As traffic slowed for a construction zone near Summerland, I intentionally reduced speed to approximately 20 mph. At that point, I heard a sudden abnormal rotational mechanical noise from the engine compartment, best described as a flapping or rubbing sound. The noise had not been present earlier during the drive. Within moments, the engine lost power and shut down. The vehicle lost propulsion while in traffic, and power steering assist was lost after the engine stopped. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle off the

NHTSA complaint 11754103, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel pump flange repair was a joke on this car. It should've been replaced not just put a black tar like sealant on it. That was an error on Audi's part. The sealant didn't keep it from forming a leak in the stress cracks that were being reported. Mine says all recalls have been completed. I just experienced a very bad fuel leak from the fuel filter/pump flange. I investigated the issue myself and found a black tar like sealant on top of the filter. That didn't stop it from cracking and leaking as was being reported in the first place. I have photos and video of how bad of a leak. Audi should do the right thing and replace every filter that they (sealed). That was not a fix. it was a

NHTSA complaint 11750638, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My gas tank started to leak while I was driving putting the my safety and the safety of my entire family at risk. This is know major recall 20Z8 that Audi has never got to fix properly. The recall remedy demonstrably did not prevent the failure it was issued for. This is an active fuel leak with fire risk. I'm requesting Audi cover this repair.

NHTSA complaint 11750107. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel pump leak

NHTSA complaint 11731915. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Limp mode. started shortly after my purchase in May 2024. On highway and would go into limp mode, almost got hit and caused danger to other traffic. thought it was fixed and it happened again. went to pull out and make a left hand turn and had no rpms again, limp mode. Almost got t-boned. multiple electric issues. drivers side light. windows not wanting to work at times.

NHTSA complaint 11706022. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Lights on dash were flashing in cluster which made it look like it was low tire pressure. I had a portable air pump which showed tires were fine. The vehicle went into some kind of limp mode which prevented the vehicle from driving the speed limit. It was taken to Auto service center. The diagnosis was Engine failure due to a burnt valve. It's been confirmed through the dealership, mechanics and consumers that is a common problem with this particular make and model vehicle. This engine failure left me on the side of the road and not feeling safe at all while being approximately 3 hours from my home. As an Audi owner I'm was so disappointed to be told that I needed a new motor even though it

NHTSA complaint 11687287, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Audi Q7

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 14 2
2023 16 3
2022 18 3
2021 69 9
2020 26 5
2019 61 4
2018 141 3
2017 317 7
2015 44 2
2014 45 2
2012 29 4
2011 23 4
2010 29 3

Other 2013 Audi models

Every Audi on this site — 147 vehicles, 216 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst