2020 Audi Q7

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Audi Q7 has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: two issues: the small portable air pump that came with the car would blow the fuse to the 12v cigarette lighter. after a new fuse is put in, this would happen on about every third or fourth time of using of the pump. i have replaced about 5 fuses already. the second issue is the squeaking of. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

33%

• TWO ISSUES: THE SMALL PORTABLE AIR PUMP THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WOULD BLOW THE FUSE TO THE 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER. AFTER A NEW FUSE IS PUT IN, THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON ABOUT EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH TIME OF USING OF THE PUMP. I HAVE REPLACED ABOUT 5 FUSES ALREADY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE SQUEAKING OF
• While driving at high speeds on the Freeway with my wife and 2 children (ages 4 & 5), an alert on the dashboard said - Electric System Malfunction. Drove straight to the near by dealership and was told not to turn off the vehicle as it might not start. Service Advisor said we were lucky it didn't st
• Received a yellow "electrical failure" warning while driving, instructing me to call Audi for service. Audi indicated that the car remained safe to drive, and offered a service appointment greater than one month later. Driving the car the next day, the electrical failure icon converted to red and

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“TWO ISSUES: THE SMALL PORTABLE AIR PUMP THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WOULD BLOW THE FUSE TO THE 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER. AFTER A NEW FUSE IS PUT IN, THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON ABOUT EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH TIME OF USING OF THE PUMP. I HAVE REPLACED ABOUT 5 FUSES ALREADY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE SQUEAKING OF”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

8 complaints

27%

• Turbo charger failure at approximately 30,000 miles
• In July 2023, my 2020 Audi Q7 experienced a complete electrical failure at highway speeds due to a Belt Starter Generator (BSG) malfunction. Audi replaced the BSG with the same faulty part. Months later, I noticed increased oil consumption and loud engine noise. Despite multiple service visits and r
• I urgently request a NHTSA investigation into systemic coolant leaks, a dangerous safety defect in Audi vehicles with the 3.0L turbocharged V6 (EA839) engine. Affected models include the Q7 (my 2020 Q7 55 TFSI, VIN: [XXX] ), S4, S5, SQ5, A6/A7, Q8. These defects risk engine damage, sudden power loss

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Turbo charger failure at approximately 30,000 miles”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

10%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 20 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A
• Central control module failure. Item is under recall for various Q5 models. Q7 is essentially the same car with same water intrusion problem. Why isn’t it included in recall. Very dangerous stall.
• In July 2023, my 2020 Audi Q7 experienced a complete electrical failure at highway speeds due to a Belt Starter Generator (BSG) malfunction. Audi replaced the BSG with the same faulty part. Months later, I noticed increased oil consumption and loud engine noise. Despite multiple service visits and r

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 20 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

2 complaints

• TWO ISSUES: THE SMALL PORTABLE AIR PUMP THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WOULD BLOW THE FUSE TO THE 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER. AFTER A NEW FUSE IS PUT IN, THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON ABOUT EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH TIME OF USING OF THE PUMP. I HAVE REPLACED ABOUT 5 FUSES ALREADY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE SQUEAKING OF
• Often gets warning about Parking Brake malfunction. Dealership already checked once and could not find the problem. Warning comes on speedometer as follows: "Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact Service."

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

2 complaints

• WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS THE SPEED TO THE SPEED LIMIT. ON OCCASION, WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT WILL PICK UP THE SPEED LIMIT FROM A CROSS STREET (OVER OR UNDER PASS). THIS HAPPENED ON A RECENT TRIP WITH THE VEHICLE SET AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF
• While driving, Forward Collision Warning appears without any reason. My understanding is that the car will brake itself if it senses frontal collosion and I am concerned that it might brake suddenly without my knowledge and cause an accident.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS THE SPEED TO THE SPEED LIMIT. ON OCCASION, WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT WILL PICK UP THE SPEED LIMIT FROM A CROSS STREET (OVER OR UNDER PASS). THIS HAPPENED ON A RECENT TRIP WITH THE VEHICLE SET AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 30 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TWO ISSUES: THE SMALL PORTABLE AIR PUMP THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WOULD BLOW THE FUSE TO THE 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER. AFTER A NEW FUSE IS PUT IN, THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON ABOUT EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH TIME OF USING OF THE PUMP. I HAVE REPLACED ABOUT 5 FUSES ALREADY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE SQUEAKING OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: Turbo charger failure at approximately 30,000 miles
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 20 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TWO ISSUES: THE SMALL PORTABLE AIR PUMP THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WOULD BLOW THE FUSE TO THE 12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER. AFTER A NEW FUSE IS PUT IN, THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON ABOUT EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH TIME OF USING OF THE PUMP. I HAVE REPLACED ABOUT 5 FUSES ALREADY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE SQUEAKING OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)