2018 Audi Q7 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Audi Q7, 5% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“At times, the stop-start system seems to falter when the vehicle has slowed to almost a full stop, but not quite. If I try to accelerate I get a few seconds when nothing happens. I feel that it is either a transmission caught between shifts or an engine falter. I have mentioned this to the dealer, but was told that that's how it is .”
NHTSA complaint #11406681, filed 2021-04, 20,000 miles“When car is placed in reverse a p or park is still displayed in the instrument panel. This has happed several times. Audi service was provided pictures and video of occurrences and they said they would get back to me. They never did. Also now have sos malfunction warning displayed. Car only has 7k miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11121938, filed 2018-08, 5,000 miles“To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a serious and recurring safety issue involving my 2018 Audi Q7. The vehicle has experienced repeated drive system malfunctions that result in sudden loss of power, reduced acceleration, and warning messages on the dashboard such as “Drive System: Malfunction” and “Electrical System Failure.” These incidents have occurred while the vehicle was in motion, creating a hazardous situation for both the occupants and surrounding drivers. …”
NHTSA complaint #11660203, filed 2025-05“When I was driving and trying to make a right turn to merge into the traffic, the transmission suddenly stalled and stuck in neutral, put my car in the right lane with large traffic on the lane and forced other cars to make sudden stop. After restarting the engine multiple times, it was suspected that somehow the transmission is always in neutral while the onboard system showing it is in driving mode. I had to get out of the car to push it to a safe side road. This is all sudden while car engine is running. …”
NHTSA complaint #11426048, filed 2021-07“Audi Quattro (differential) noise is being heard while turning the car. The problem was identified to be due to different speeds between the front and rear differential, the locking effect of the center differential can differ significantly in tight bends. – unless there is a design flaw, there should be no noise coming from the differential . this is totally unheard of from any car I have owned. Problem was reported to Audi dealership and no definite solution was offered other than changing the oil for the center differential oil and checking to see if the problem goes away. …”
NHTSA complaint #11604788, filed 2024-07Related service bulletins
- 11033475May 6, 2026The high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are subject to various ageing effects which could lead to the energy content (energy density) being reduced. This reduction in the…
- 11027358Dec 11, 2025This bulletin provides additoinal information to assist in determining the energy content of lithium-ion high-voltage batteries.
- 11021441Jul 30, 2025This bulletin providesi nformation when various DTCs are stored; high maximum temperature recorded for clutch K1.
- 11020353Jun 20, 2025This bulletin provides information when there are noises/vibrations in tight bends; Q7 and A8 models.
- 11009937Oct 4, 2024This bulletin provides additional information pertaining to continued noises/vibrations in tight bends - Q7 and A8 vehicle models.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% |
| 2022 | 3 | 15% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 10% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 7 | 5% |
| 2017 | 10 | 3% |
| 2015 | 4 | 9% |
| 2014 | 4 | 9% |
| 2013 | 4 | 9% |
| 2012 | 3 | 10% |
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 10% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2018 Audi Q7
39 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Audi Q7
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology