FaultScore

Audi Q7 headlight problems

167 of the 1,405 complaints filed about the Audi Q7 are about the lighting — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2017.

167

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

Lights complaints by model year

2007 Q7 1 0.6%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

2008 Q7 1 0.6%
2012 Q7 1 0.6%

Median failure at 132,000 miles

2013 Q7 1 0.6%

Median failure at 15 miles

2014 Q7 1 0.6%
2015 Q7 2 1.2%

Median failure at 125 miles

2017 Q7 133 79.6%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

2018 Q7 23 13.8%

Median failure at 84,901 miles

2019 Q7 3 1.8%
2025 Q7 1 0.6%

What owners said

2017 Audi Q7 San Diego, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11748055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Bellevue, WA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11742844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi Q7 Santa Maria, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I AM GETTING FRONT LEFT SIDE MARKER LIGHT FAULTY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR 2018 AUDI Q7. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF I AM QUALIFIED TO GET THIS REPLACED BY AUDI. APPARENTLY, THE REPLACING THE LAMP ISN'T EASY BUT WOUDL REQUIRE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHTING FIXTURE WHICH COULD COST OVER $2K. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11739746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi Q7 Portland, ME

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Parking light defective message on dash board. Looked at the light and all lights present. Talked to a dealer and the headlight assembly to replace is 6K plus. For a small yellow side light inside of headlight that is still on, but the message on dashboard says otherwise. Was told that it isn't outputting enough light power.

NHTSA complaint #11738684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Orchard Beach, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11738363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Atlanta, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have gotten a notice that my "front left side marker light defective"

NHTSA complaint #11733230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 White Plains, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11732265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Truckee, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11731359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Pleasant Hill, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11724327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Sterling Heights, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Getting error message that the "Front Left Side Marker Light Defective". The light appears to be operational. Service shop looked to read the errors with ODB2 and both light modules (left and right) are not communicating any info. In same time the warning in dashboard is continuous and can impede gauges visibility during night. Audible warning noise can also activate at random times. Searched for this issue and Audi recalled some models for electrical software issue but many users outside the current recall report this same issue. Please expand the VIN numbers for the recall action for safety.

NHTSA complaint #11722959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Fountain Inn, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Side marker light malfunction warning while light is working properly. There was previously a recall campaign for this issue on this model but the vin number was not included.

NHTSA complaint #11720501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Gardnerville, NV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I am having issues with my vehicle ( Audi 2017 Q7)that matches Audi Recall 97CB NHTSA campaign Number 16V642000 regarding the side marker light software malfunction. While my VIN is not currently showing as open on a Recall my vehicle is experiencing the marker lights failure. My vehicles MFD date is 05/16 which is in the dates of the recall 97CB but is for some reason excluded from the recall. I have had the vehicle at the Audi dealer to check on the problem. They have had the vehicle two different times totaling 15 hours and are unable to find a problem.They refuse to provide the recall remedy because my VIN is not currently flagged. my Vin is [XXX] . I am requesting my VIN be added to the 97CB NHTSA# 16V64200 My case # with Audi is XXX Rep is Susan . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11719946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi Q7 El Portal, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ALERT " Left Front side marker light defective" see owner manual. That is the message

NHTSA complaint #11717586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Woodruff, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The car is displaying "Right front marker light defective". This lessens the visibility when turning. This problem is a VIN specific recall of the 2017 Q7 and my VIN is not included, even though I am experiencing the exact same problem as the recall on the other VINs from the same year.

NHTSA complaint #11712720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Seattle, WA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Getting error message that the "Front Right Side Marker Light Defective". The light appears to be operational. Searched for this issue and Audi recalled some models but many users outside the current recall report this same issue. Please expand the vin numbers for the recall action for safety.

NHTSA complaint #11710168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi Q7 Brooklyn, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Left Front side marker light faulty. is the warning on the dashboard - I have noticed there is a recall I believe 2017 2018 for the same part and this is on a 2019 so it's obviously the part it actually says if there's a software fix

NHTSA complaint #11709667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Vacaville, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I was driving last night and the "marker light is defective" error came on. This is a well documented defect in the Audi Q7 and many are subject to recall for this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11707347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Olathe, KS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Dash light is on saying “Front right marker light is defective”. However, the marker light appears to be fine. This seems to be a software issue.

NHTSA complaint #11707149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 Gulf Breeze, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have a 2017 Q7 with the "front right side marker light defective" warning THAT POP OUT ONLY WHEN THE LIGHT AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON but the lights are actually functional. Yet the local Audi still wants to charge me 5.3k to fix it. The warning only happens at night. I've asked the shop for clarification on how it was deemed inop. since it looks like it's working to me. I see a lot of posts in forums about this issue. I see that there was a limited recall for this issue with 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles, but it's VIN specific and my VIN isn't included.

NHTSA complaint #11703992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi Q7 York, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Notifications come on indicating that “Front Left side marker light defective.” Identical error message for the right side marker.

NHTSA complaint #11702618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Audi Q7 problems