Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Audi Q7, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 33% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 6% |
| Structure | 2 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Last year I bought my Audi q7 2008 3.6 v6 and This car really smells like gas so bad on the inside. It’s becoming so strong my garage smells like it too and my children are complaining about headaches. I now also have an
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
This issue closely resembles Audi recall campaign 97CB (NHTSA campaign ID 16V642000), with details available at [XXX] . In my case, the marker light itself is functioning properly, but the vehicle is displaying a false e
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Audi Q7. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the fuel tank onto the ground. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
My vehicle [XXX] has a few symptoms that no Audi dealer or European repair shop can tell me the issue first the EPG blinks on then the vehicle won’t start Then once it finally starts up in the parking gear it’s revving
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Unknown my esp fault was blinking then my car wouldn’t start took it to Audi of Bedford and and another European auto and was told they didn’t know why my vehicle wouldn’t start After 8 days of sitting it finally starte
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Good day, I took the car for the oil change and was advised by auto repairman that there is a fuel leak underneath the rear passenger side seat and the issue has a recall by Audi. Repairman stated he was unable to fix
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Good morning, As of two days ago I began smelling gas when I exited my vehicle. I paid it no mind at the time since I was parked amongst other vehicles in the parking lot and this has never happened before or at least si
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I have an audi 2008 q7, that has a gas leak of some kind. Local mechanic says that it could be fuel pump leak. I looked for recalls to this problem and found two for 2008 q7 gas leaks. When I contacted the local audi dea
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Audi Q7. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement re
Risk: The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AUTOMATIC REAR LID INCLUDES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND CLUTCH THAT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH TWO GAS STRUTS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE REAR LID, INCLUDING A MANUAL CLOSE FUNCTION. IF ONE OF THE STRUTS HAS A TOTAL LOSS OF PRESSURE, THE RESULTANT SLOW MOVEME
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED RAPID CLOSING OF THE REAR LID WITH A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 44 | below average |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 11 of them (33%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.