2017 AUDI Q7 Complaints

The vehicle has a recurring electrical failure involving the camshaft position sensor circuit (DTC P0365). The sensor itself is functional, but the wiring harness leading to the sensor develops internal copper fatigue due to a design flaw in the factory routing. The harness is bent tightly behind the passenger-side cylinder head, causing vibration-induced internal wire breakage that is invisible externally. This failure is well known to Audi dealers and has been reproduced and confirmed by multiple service centers. The problem is not caused by the sensor, plug, or engine components. It is caused by the wiring harness design, which repeatedly fails in the same 6–10 inch section. The defect causes intermittent loss of camshaft signal, illumination of the check engine light, and inability to pass emissions. Repair requires cutting open the harness and splicing in new wire, costing approximately $700–$1,200 each time. This is a repeated electrical defect caused by poor harness routing and inadequate wire durability. This issue affects safety indirectly because the vehicle cannot reliably report camshaft position to the ECM, and the failure is unpredictable. The defect is widespread among vehicles using the same engine and harness design.

The 2017 Audi Q7 Prestige was purchased on November 7,2016. Since the purchase, all service was provided by one or the other of two Audi dealerships. During this period, the Audi recommended 10K, 20K,30K, 40K, 50K, 60K, 70K, and 80K mile services had all been performed. In the almost ten years that I owned the car, the oil and oil filter were changed 11 times at one or the other of the two dealerships. The mileage interval between oil changes was 6,383 miles on average with a maximum interval on 8,177 miles; the time interval between oil changes was 320 days on average with a maximum of 399 days. The engine oil cooler valve had shorted out internally and was replaced in April 2025 at 58,225 miles. By the end of August 2026, the car had travelled 71,375 miles. From 60,000 miles on, oil consumption has gradually increased to alarming levels:1-quart every 700 miles. On August 22, while driving at highway speed on the Pennsylvania turnpike near Pittsburgh, I experienced a sudden loss of power, rapid deceleration, rough running of the engine, and a “Drive System Malfunction “indicator. Fortunately, I was able to slow the vehicle and safely move off the highway. The car was towed ($396) to an Audi dealership. The technician reported that the diagnostic scan showed a misfire code for cylinder #2; and, upon inspection, the #2 spark plug was found to be excessively oil-fouled. When the technician swapped the coils and spark plugs from cylinders #2 and #3, the misfire remained on cylinder #2. A compression test on cylinder #2 showed 120 psi – below normal, but not low enough by itself to definitively condemn the engine. The cost for this analysis was $500. I declined to invest in further teardown of the engine. Audi purchased the vehicle for $4,000. My experience appears similar to others with the 2017 Audi Q7 with the 3.0 engine. Exceptionally poor engineering and total lack of customer care!

My 2017 Audi Q7 with the 3.0T engine has experienced repeated engine/ignition system failures. The vehicle displays a "System Malfunction" warning light accompanied by shaking and stalling. This same malfunction has occurred at least 3 separate times over the past few years. Each time, a repair shop diagnosed and replaced faulty ignition coils, and the vehicle ran normally for a period of time before the identical malfunction returned. The vehicle is currently inoperable due to the most recent occurrence. This creates a safety risk because the stalling and shaking can occur while driving, with no clear warning beyond the malfunction light appearing at the same time as the symptoms begin. A stall or loss of power while in motion, especially in traffic or on a highway, could lead to a collision. The problem has been confirmed and repaired multiple times by an independent European auto repair specialist, who stated this is a known, recurring issue with this engine/model. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer directly. Separately, the vehicle has also developed excessive oil consumption, requiring approximately 2 gallons of oil added roughly every 6 weeks, with the frequency increasing over the last 2 months. I am uncertain whether the oil consumption and the recurring coil/ignition failures share a common root cause, but both issues are ongoing and unresolved. The vehicle and its components are available for inspection upon request.

On my 2017 Audi Q7 with 93169 miles, I am getting the error message along with a warning lamp that states: "Front right side marker light defective." The light actually works however I am getting this message. If the light were to actually go out it would affect the safety of my vehicle. I hear this is a common issue with the 2017 Audi Q7s and is very costly to fix at the dealer because the entire headlight assembly is usually replaced by the dealer. My vehicle is available for inspection if needed.

Defective side-marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Component: Exterior Lighting / Headlights Make/Model/Year: 2017 Audi Q7 prestige Issue: Defective side-marker LED inside sealed headlight assembly Complaint: The side-marker LED inside the headlight assembly on my 2017 Audi Q7 has failed due to an internal LED driver defect. The LED module is sealed and non-serviceable, so the entire headlight assembly must be replaced at a cost of $2,000–$5,000. The vehicle displays a “Side Marker Light Defective” warning even though the LED is still illuminated, indicating reduced output that triggers the fault. This failure reduces nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard. This is a widespread issue reported by many Audi Q7 owners. Audi designed the LED module as a non-replaceable component, leaving full headlight replacement as the only repair option. This is a design flaw that forces an extremely expensive repair for a basic safety function. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this lighting defect.

Front right Marker light defect alert keeps pooping up and sounding an audible alarm while I am driving even through the marker light is working perfectly. Drive train alert comes on after I add oil and the vehicle starts hesitating while I accelerate.I just got a tune up which included new spark plus and a new coils. Problem came back even after the tune up within 3000 miles. Excessive oil loss. I constantly have to add a quart of oil even after I just got an oil change and tune up. Seeing oil in the cover shield that covers the entire engine. Seems like the oil is blowing out of the cap area where you add in oil. These problems are very costly for a vehicle that I ordinary love. Please advise what can be done because I can not pay for any more repairs out of pocket. There is only 80,100 mile on the vehicle.

As per the Audi dealership inspection: Driver's-side rear coil spring is broken (also noted that the passenger-side spring is "swollen" and will need to be replaced). Appears to be a known issue; many complaints can be found online for the exact same issue (google 2017 Audi Q7 rear broken spring). The NHTSA issued a recall for a similar issue within the VW/Audi group for the VW Atlas (a similar vehicle in the Audi/VW motor group). [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Warning light for right side marker light comes on. Light seems to be working, but warning comes on. Cost to repair is thousands of dollars. It is a well known complaint of this car.

The console is reporting: "Front left side marker light is defective. See owner's manual". This is a lighting problem that Audi seems to have covered by a previous recall but this VIN was not included in said recall: Campaign 97CB/NHTSA #16V642000. I have had this defection confirmed by my local service center.

Warning message on dashboard regarding right side marker light defective. This warning only occurs after sundown when the daylight sensor has engaged. Confirmed by Audi dealer service on 3/12/2026. Dealer reports this is due to a problem with a LED light inside the headlamp component. Dealer denies coverage for the repair under my active extended warranty. Dealer states an approximate $5,000 repair, at my expense, to replace the entire right headlamp assembly is the sole remedy. It appears the failed component may fall under the scope of safety recall, Audi 97CB (found on your website at: NHTSA ID 16V642-5761.pdf) but my VIN number is not specifically included within the recall. As this appears to be the same or directly related issue, perhaps the recall affects a greater amount of vehicles beyond the initially declared VIN number. My safety concern is that any problem with nighttime lighting is a deadly serious matter.