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 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Audi Q7, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 27% |
| Engine | 6 | 23% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 12% |
| Power train | 2 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 4% |
| Power train | 1 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Dashboard leather is bubbling, separating, and delaminating near the center windshield vents. This is a known manufacturing defect, Audi has issued a warranty extension (bulletin AWA-23-11) for this identical issue on th
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
the first indication of an issue was oil consumption. It was using more oil than usual around the 70K mile mark. Then it started misfiring, and soon after a knocking noise coming from the engine. There are no check engi
NHTSA complaint: Engine
While my vehicle was in for the Audi piston issue, they stated my water pump needed to be replaced and isn’t covered by a recall (yet). My vehicle had less than 42,000 mile on it. I was lead to believe that this problem
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illu
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
My 2020 Audi Q7 with 49,500 miles had a complete engine shut down while driving. Towed to Audi. Fuel Pump was recalled and replaced on 1/2023. Audi stated it was the jet suction pump inside the saddle fuel tank. Rese
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I discovered this item while researching another issue. There was a class action law suit against VW/Audi for the Water Pump and coolant leaking into the system. The class action covered the year and model for my Audi
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I am filing a complaint concerning serious safety risks associated with my 2020 Audi Q7 (VIN: [XXX] ) purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from Audi Dominion San Antonio. It is currently under service at Audi Centr
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I’m having to replace my REPLACE WATER PUMP AND VACUUM LINES WITH RESERVOIR at 41k miles or it risk overheating the engine. It is a significant repair at a premature time. After researching, it has been reported there
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 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. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply w
Risk: During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbe
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this reca
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020 Q7 vehicles. Incompatibility between the front camera control software and the heating element used for the front camera on the windshield may cause the heating element to overheat.
Risk: An overheated heating element can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the control software and replace the heater element for the front camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Au
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 44 | below average |
| Depreciation | 48 | below average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 7 of them (27%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) 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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2020 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 63/100. 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.