Is the 2018 Audi Q7 reliable?

The 2018 Audi Q7 has 175 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Audi Q7?

Top problems: ENGINE (36 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (23 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Audi Q7?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, STEERING. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Audi Q7?

The 2018 Audi Q7 gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Audi Q7?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Audi Q7 is approximately $2,124/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Audi Q7

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Audi Q7 has 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.6x the segment average of 49. The most common issue is engine problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: when attempting to crossover a busy intersection, and trying to determine the distance between the oncoming traffic and myself, the 2018 audi q7, has a hesitation before the vehicle starts it acceleration. i have had two occasions where the vehicle just would start a slow acceleration but would hes. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 3 injuries

175

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

3.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

36 complaints

21%

• WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CROSSOVER A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND TRYING TO DETERMINE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MYSELF, THE 2018 AUDI Q7, HAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS IT ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE JUST WOULD START A SLOW ACCELERATION BUT WOULD HES
• OUR Q7 3.0T PRESTIGE ENGINE BLEW WHILE DRIVING AND LEFT US STRANDED ON A COUNTRY ROAD AT 12:45 IN THE MORNING. THEN TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, AFTER FIGHTING WITH AUDI CARE FOR THE LAST MONTH THEY ONLY AGREED TO REIMBURSE US $200 OUT OF A $525 TOW BILL BECAUSE WE DIDN'T CALL THEM TO SCHEDULE THE TOW.
• KEPT LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH THAT ADD 1 QT OF OIL FOR 6 TIMES. BEFORE THIS LIGHT APPEARS, CAR ALWAYS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE IM DRIVING OR PARKED. LAST SATURADAY 1/11, MY CAR WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND SO LOUD AFTER CAR STOPPED BUT CANNOT CHANGE ANY GEARS FOR FEW SECONDS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CROSSOVER A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND TRYING TO DETERMINE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MYSELF, THE 2018 AUDI Q7, HAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS IT ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE JUST WOULD START A SLOW ACCELERATION BUT WOULD HES”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Audi Q7

Based on 44 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL16/01/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Audi Q7

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Audi Q7

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,124

Full coverage / month

$177

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+27%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2124

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi Q7 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2018 Q7, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 175 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CROSSOVER A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND TRYING TO DETERMINE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MYSELF, THE 2018 AUDI Q7, HAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS IT ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE JUST WOULD START A SLOW ACCELERATION BUT WOULD HES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: Just had the vehicle in for the it’s 60k mile service and no issues reported. Today, at 63k miles I had the same dealer look at a headlight malfunction and the service technician reported the rear coil springs are failing and need replaced.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE 2018 AUDI Q7 HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES SINCE I LEASED THE CAR ON 9/11/2017. MY INITIAL INQUIRY RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY ISSUES WAS BACK ON DECEMBER 22, 2017 THAT WAS SHORTLY FOLLOWED UP BY A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. AFTER YOUR TEAM ASSESSED THE ISSUE AND ALLEGEDLY RESET THE SYSTEM, I CHECKE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE 2018 AUDI Q7 HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES SINCE I LEASED THE CAR ON 9/11/2017. MY INITIAL INQUIRY RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY ISSUES WAS BACK ON DECEMBER 22, 2017 THAT WAS SHORTLY FOLLOWED UP BY A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. AFTER YOUR TEAM ASSESSED THE ISSUE AND ALLEGEDLY RESET THE SYSTEM, I CHECKE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)