2019 Audi Q7 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report two very different kinds of trouble: rear coil springs that break at low mileage, and various electronic fault messages — steering warnings, dashboard error cascades and front parking-light warnings that appear with the lamp still working. Many of the most serious reports come in at surprisingly low mileage, while fuel-pump and suspension items show up later, from roughly 25,000 to 80,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering malfunction warning / loss of power assist

   • 13 complaints (21%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 1.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe a "Steering: malfunction" message followed by the wheel becoming very heavy or effectively unable to turn, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes right after the engine restarts from a stop-start event. A few owners report the electronic steering rack being replaced and the symptom returning, or the dealer being unable to duplicate it. Reported from a few thousand miles to roughly 60,000 miles, at both low and highway speeds.

   Recall 20V1490003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the steering-shaft bolt recall work was completed, and check for any stored steering fault codes or a history of steering-rack replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “From time to time, after the auto engine shutoff engages, when I release the brake and the engine restarts, power steering isn't available for roughly 5 seconds (the car is un-steerable). This happens when the car is at a complete stop, and I'm attempting to start moving again. I've learned to put the car into sport mode so I don't risk my life and my families lives. The dealership claims there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. :(”

   NHTSA complaint #11323192, filed 2020-05, 10,000 miles

   “Vehicle stability while driving on automatic driving /lane keeping system failed 3 times almost causing vehicle to loose control and crash. On 4 other occasions the vehicles lane keeping failed to keep between lanes and instead vear vehicle in different steering directions, forcing me to pull against the stearing wheel to go back straight. Audi america and local dealer continue to say everything is ok but on all three occasions I had witnesses in my car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349631, filed 2020-08, 33,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Rear coil springs breaking

   • 8 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 5.3 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe a loud bang or finding a piece of spring on the garage floor, with the rear ride height or stability affected. In several cases a technician doing routine service found both rear springs broken off at the base and recommended immediate replacement; others had one side fail. Complaints mention repair bills of a few thousand dollars, often just outside warranty, and several owners say the dealer described the failure as common on this generation. Mostly reported between about 28,000 and 80,000 miles, with no off-road use or heavy loads described.

   Recall 19V1140001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the rear springs and spring mounts inspected from underneath on a lift, especially on cars past 50,000 miles, and ask whether they have ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 50k miles, in July 2023, I was told by the dealer, Audi, that the rear spring mounts were corroding, and it was not covered by warranty. Everything I have read about spring mounts is that they are not considered a wear and tear part, and should not deteriorate. But I paid about $2,000 for the repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11596271, filed 2024-06

   “Rear coil springs broke after just 60,000 miles. Audi refused to cover but dealer said this is very common. Vehicle stability affected. After my 42 years in automotive industry as a supplier my bet is these springs are made in China and supplier is cheating on material specifications and Audi must know.”

   NHTSA complaint #11619637, filed 2024-10
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   False automatic emergency braking

   • 16 complaints (25%)
   • median 13,357 mi at 1.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the forward collision warning flashing and the brakes applying hard with no vehicle or obstacle ahead, in one case during a left turn across traffic. Complaints describe the car slowing abruptly or stopping in the roadway, with the driver having to restart and re-engage drive. Some also describe lane-keeping nudging the car out of its lane at highway speed. Reported across a wide mileage range, mostly in normal driving at local-road and highway speeds.

   What to check: Ask whether the radar and camera systems have had any software updates or calibration work, and test-drive at highway speed with the driver-assistance features enabled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The problem occurs when making a left-hand turn. I'm in the left-hand turn lane waiting for oncoming traffic to clear. When it is clear, I proceed with my left-hand turn. After a short distance, the Forward Collision Warning indicator flashes, the brakes are applied very hard, and the car stalls. I am often left in the oncoming lane, with a stalled car. I have to put it in park, start it then put it into drive to move forward again. This takes a bit of time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11425041, filed 2021-07

   “The auto brake suddenly braked hard and it was scary. The car reported a collision warning red light for a few seconds. Luckily, there was no car close behind me. While I was driving at about 70 miles per hour on the highway, there was no car in front of me to worry about. There was probably a car driving in the next lane. After the sudden brake, everything seemed to be back to normal. This type of sudden auto brake happened once in late 2019, on a local drive, I thought it was a falling leaf or something. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11551936, filed 2023-10
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and false fuel-level readings

   • 8 complaints (13%)
   • median 26,350 mi at 3.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2025

   Owners report a "drive system malfunction" message, sputtering and stalling, with the dealer diagnosing a failed fuel pump or fuel pump module afterwards. Others describe the gauge showing only about half a tank after a fill, or a fuel level sender replaced along with the tank because of where the part sits. Several owners point to recalls on other model years covering the same symptom. Reports cluster from roughly 25,000 to 60,000 miles, plus later high-mileage examples.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Fill the tank and confirm the gauge reads full, and ask for service records showing whether the fuel pump or level sender has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The component that failed was the fuel level sender. The attachment shows that I had it repaired by Audi. They found low static resistance which is the same issue they recalled 46,000 other vehicles for including 2019, just not Q7. The car is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because the gas and did not work on the safety of others was put at risk because I could have run out of gas anywhere and it anytime. You took over a month to get an appointment. The issue has been corrected in June 2023. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11531737, filed 2023-07

   “Drive System malfunction code appeared while driving. Engine then shut off immediately. Had it towed to Audi dealership. Fuel Pump and Fuel Pump Module Codes reported in diagnostics check: codes P3044, P1158, and P0148. There is a NHTSA campaign number 22V516 (Audi recall number 20DR) that has been reported on this same issue with the fuel pump, however, my model 2019 is one year shy of the 2020 Q7 to 2021 affected vehicle range. Asking NHTSA to look into other repeated fuel pump issues for the same model vehicle, but for 2019 models. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11691309, filed 2025-10
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Parking/side marker light fault warning

   Mentioned in 4 of 55 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a recurring "right front parking light" or side marker fault message each time the lights come on, even though the lamp appears to be lit and working. Research leads several of them to similar complaints on earlier model years. Complaints mention the dealer quoting a full headlight assembly replacement in the thousands of dollars for what owners describe as a small part. Reported from shortly after purchase up to around 60,000 miles, in normal day-to-day use.

   What to check: Turn on the lights and look for any parking or side marker warning on the dash; ask whether the headlight assembly or lamp has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle reports front right side marker malfunction error while I do not see any issue with the headlight. I see that certain vehicles were recalled for the same model earlier reporting the same issue and hence wanted to report this a safety incident if the light malfunction while driving at night.”

   NHTSA complaint #11772282, filed 2026-10

   “I am filing a complaint and request for a recall on 2019 Audi Q7's side marker light. This is 2019 Model Audi Q7.It has about 60K miles. I start getting a warning message pops up frequently saying Right front side marker light faulty See owner's manual . Searching online it appears many user with same model years facing the same problem, but could be on the left side. Some say dealer will not cover the repair even with extended warranty. Repair cost ranges from $3000 to $5000. The part is around $30. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11627197, filed 2024-11

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by someone familiar with this generation is worthwhile, focusing on the rear springs and mounts, steering fault history and fuel-pump service records. Ask for the full service history and confirm any open recall work has been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.