Build quality and powertrain issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Large luxury SUVs continue to grow in popularity, with the 2020 Audi Q7 topping the charts. The automaker claims that it is a “big idea,” but it appears the company never put these ideas into practice. This luxury model suffers from a defective powertrain and shoddy structure.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019 2021 2022
The main part of any potent powertrain is a well-functioning transmission. If this component doesn’t live up to expectations, the ride is anything but enjoyable.
Here’s another powertrain issue addressed in an NHTSA complaint. “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 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 [dealership] where it was diagnosed with the rear differential needing to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had been informed of failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 6,200.”
It turns out that Audi is struggling to get the entire drivetrain right. Even Service Bulletin #A3920342060169_1 talks about the DTC U101300 along with differential warning messages that require owners to have a new four-wheel-drive control module installed. If Audi wants to continue charging top dollar for SUVs, it might be time to take the “big idea” and turn it into something that actually functions correctly.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
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Electrical System
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Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
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Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
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Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
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Fuel System, Gasoline
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Power Train
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Service Brakes
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For the premium price paid for a Q7, it only makes sense that the structure would be soundly built and ready to roll. Yet, customers are struggling with numerous structure-related issues.
Here’s one discussed in an Edmunds review. “The driver door rattles. I have taken the car five times to get fixed, two different dealers. The money spent in the car should not rattle.”
If this were the only concern, people might be able to deal with it, but it’s not. Service Bulletin #A6620662060333_1 also discusses how the SUV’s black optic trim becomes easily discolored. Imagine driving down the road and noticing that the sleek SUV that was recently purchased is changing colors. Maybe the Audi Q7 believes it is a chameleon and is simply trying to blend into its environment.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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