On XXX, I was driving northbound on US-101 from [XXX] to [XXX] to pick up a family member for an appointment. The vehicle had been operating normally at freeway speed. As traffic slowed for a construction zone near Summerland, I intentionally reduced speed to approximately 20 mph. At that point, I heard a sudden abnormal rotational mechanical noise from the engine compartment, best described as a flapping or rubbing sound. The noise had not been present earlier during the drive. Within moments, the engine lost power and shut down. The vehicle lost propulsion while in traffic, and power steering assist was lost after the engine stopped. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The engine would not restart. Before this incident, I did not observe any meaningful warning of an impending catastrophic engine failure. I did not observe an engine overheating warning, an oil-pressure warning, or any other dashboard warning indicating an imminent engine seizure. Before purchasing the vehicle, and during my ownership, I used Ross-Tech VCDS (Audi/VW-specific diagnostic software) as part of proactive maintenance and monitoring. Nothing identified an impending catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was transported to an independent European repair facility for inspection. The shop determined that the engine is mechanically seized and advised that the precise initiating cause cannot be determined without engine disassembly. An Audi dealership likewise indicated that additional manufacturer-level diagnostic procedures would be required. A case was created, and Audi declined assistance. I am submitting this complaint because the engine failed suddenly during normal operation without a meaningful advance warning, resulting in an immediate loss of propulsion in traffic. I believe this type of unexpected catastrophic engine failure presents a potential safety concern if it occurs while the vehicle is being operated on a public roadway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5
NHTSA complaint #11754103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On or December 5th, 2025 (4 days after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a sudden and severe steering system failure while driving. When turning the steering wheel (even slightly), the vehicle produced a loud buzzing/grinding noise and the steering effort increased significantly, creating an immediate safety hazard. Because the steering issue worsened quickly and made the vehicle difficult to control, I stopped driving and brought the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership for inspection. The Audi dealership confirmed the steering failure was caused by a major power steering system defect, including active power steering fluid leakage from the steering rack area consistent with internal seal failure, and the power steering pump being faulty due to fluid loss. The dealership advised replacement of the power steering rack and pump and stated the vehicle was unsafe to test drive due to its condition. During the same inspection, the Audi dealership also identified additional serious safety-related defects, including a brake system condition where the brake pedal slowly sinks toward the floor when pressure is applied (indicating a braking system performance failure requiring brake fluid exchange and further diagnosis if unresolved). The inspection also documented multiple additional mechanical and safety concerns requiring extensive repairs, including suspension and drivetrain defects and other conditions indicating the vehicle was not roadworthy as sold. The vehicle remains available for inspection. This incident involved a sudden loss of steering assist and braking abnormalities that could lead to loss of control, crash risk, and injury to the driver, passengers, and other motorists.
NHTSA complaint #11711746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On Thursday, October 30, 2025, when I got seated in my car, put my seat belts on, and put the car in reverse gear to slowly get out of my parking space, it kept on going in reverse and won’t stop with break I tried to change the parking mode or drive mode but the steering column would not take any command. After 350 feet driven in reverse, it went into a ditch where it tried to turn it and the car was still in reverse, climbing out of the ditch, damaging another section of the fence, till I could turn off the engine with the ignition switch. It looks that the gear was stuck in reverse and after engine cut off it went back in drive mode. In the meantime, all four sides of the car were damaged and scratched all over, and there was damage on the bottom. Apparently it is electronic malfunction when the gear got stuck in reverse. Thank God that I was not in a busy parking lot, otherwise would have damaged dozens of cars and hurt many innocent bystanders. Will keep you posted till the Audi repair shop gives me a diagnosis
NHTSA complaint #11697302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on I-90 in January 2025, the steering wheel malfunctioned causing loss of control of the car. The warning message came on the dashboard to immediately stop driving. Was able to pull off to the shoulder, turn the vehicle off, and call AAA for assistance. They towed the car to a repair shop.
NHTSA complaint #11697260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Complete loss of steering control while driving at low speeds. Dashboard indicator illuminated for "Severe Steering Malfunction - Do Not Drive." Had the car towed to the dealership. Dealership indicated that the car needed a new steering rack and pinion. Cost estimate was $4000. The car had 72,000 miles with mostly highway mileage.
NHTSA complaint #11679747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was driving on small town road, pulling into gas station, and 'steering malfunction, stop car immediately' notice popped up, with red steering wheel icon above message with line across wheel and exclamation mark. I lost power steering at the same time, immediately. Very difficult to drive, and thankful it was not on busy, interstate road, and that nothing more happened. Very tough to drive, and so far, need to tow to Audi dealership to check and repair. I have been in touch with Audi, nothing they can do over phone, they suspect electronic issue. Very dangerous and disappointing. Just happy it did not cause death or injury.
NHTSA complaint #11675991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving down the road at 50 mph and warning light came on stating "Steering Malfunction" and lost all steering capacity and had difficultly safely exiting the traveled road to safe location. No steering and avoiding a rear collision due to unexpected breaking to handle car.
NHTSA complaint #11664388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled intermittently, and failed to return to normal operation. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was self-diagnosed by the contact, and the contact determined that the steering column lock module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
NHTSA complaint #11663812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
02/04/2025 after work I was driving on local street in rush hours, suddenly the display panel popped out the warning message: Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle. Then I found out the wheel couldn't turn right or left any more. I turned on the emergency light immediately and moved my vehicle close to curb pending tow truck. Luckily it was raining evening, traffic was slow at 15~20 MPH, this incident didn't cause crash or injury but blocking the traffic more then one hour for the tow truck. If it happened on highway, I couldn't imagine what the serious fatal accident would be... After the Audi tech inspected, it was the electrical steering failed / the internal control died out--a defective parts.
NHTSA complaint #11641430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front and rear wheels struck the curb causing the vehicle to spin out. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was brought to a stop and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack had failed due to a loss of communication with the steering module. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,851.
NHTSA complaint #11615905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is rapid pecking noise / vibration when traveling during all right directional curves in the road. When I head in to a slight curve where the steering wheel only needs to be moved a few degrees to the right, the noise is such that I can feel it around the firewall and footwell of both driver and passenger side not to mention it is very loud and annoying. I notified Bill Jacobs BMW along with the brakes squealing while backing up) where I bought the vehicle and they said to take it to an Audi dealer. I went to Audi of Lexington KY and they were wanting to charge me over 8K to replace the exhaust. I did have the exhaust replaced and new front brakes completely replaced and the issue for both are still present. Very disappointed since I found TWO TSB's relating to my vehicle after paying so much for the work. There is a TSB for the Exhaust downpipe and mounts as well as a TSB for squealing brakes. Being told, all German cars have squeaky brakes is BS.
NHTSA complaint #11614466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. Steering malfunction, yes. 2. In the course of driving on [XXX] through a mountain pass in Colorado with snow and poor driving conditions, the steering mechanism on the vehicle failed resulting in not being able to maneuver the vehicle out of the lane or off the road safely. If this happened while other vehicles were in front/behind or to the side of us, or if this would have happened in another mountain road without emergency curbing/exits - we could have easily been killed. 3. The vehicle is at the Audi Denver dealership (had to be towed) and they confirmed the code "Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle" that displayed on the panel. 4. No, tried to call Audi but there was a 2 hour wait to talk to someone and even then, not sure I would have reached anyone that could have helped. 5. Warning message "Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle" displayed with red steering wheel icon and exclamation mark. No other warning or sign of failure. This is the problem, driving at highway speed, get a steering malfunction warning, can't steer or control the vehicle - have to stop "safely". This could have been catastrophic. In any other vehicle if rack/pinon slips or power steering fluid fails, you can still manage to steer and avoid collision, this Audi under these conditions gave no such option. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11587377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car first had a warning “Electrical system: malfunction! Please contact Service.” I made a appointment at my Audi dealership 2 days later, but the next day i got more warnings. “Automatic start/stop system: malfunction!” then my power steering was not working. I decided to drive straight to the service department that afternoon, but never made it. In rush hour traffic on a busy street, my Q7 started beeping every warning - “Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle”, “Drive system: malfunction! Stop vehicle safely” and the vehicle decreased speed then abruptly turned off. I was so scared that I would get hit by the traffic zooming around me. It wouldn't go into neutral and my parking brake was engaged blinking. I put on my hazard lights and called 911 for traffic assistance while sitting in my car. I was able to safely exit and after calling Audi, I could get my car into neutral and move it off the busy street with the help of some good Samaritans. I had the car towed to Audi. The service department said they have seen this a handful of times and that it's a problem with the accelerator/generator.
NHTSA complaint #11574716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering shaft bolt was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The contact was informed the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V149000(Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11572048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Power steering assistance unit stoped working suddenly while driving. Then car was very difficult to steer. Fault could not be reseted, unit was not accessible with service computer in Audi shop. The steering unit was replaced. Just by luck that did not happen while driving at high speed. This could have been resulting in crash with casualties. While browsing the internet for advice it shows multiple incidents with the Audi electric powered steering unit. In the attached pic’s it shows a wet rubber seal and a corroded drive shaft of the replaced part (note the part numbers). Water and oil can find its way into the resolver unit and render it useless, cause lost of feedback signal hence kill the unit. Additional observation: Month before this incident happen, while driving at low speed in warmer/hot environment, a stepper motor feeling was noticeable on the steering wheel. Also a sound can be heared similar to rubber scratches over a dry surface. The disturbance went away when the car cooled down for some hours. It would be advisable to investigate the issue further as the consequences of loss if steering power could be very serious. Wishing everyone a safe travel.
NHTSA complaint #11558563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Start/Stop system malfunction. The vehicle gave me this warning and the vehicle almost stopped completely in the interstate while doing 65mph. The warning disappeared after couple of times of turning the car back on, but it appeared once again. It looks that their are many complaints and a class act lawsuit on Audi about this problem but no recalls. It's dangerous and really mind blowing that nothing has been done on this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11552980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUMMARY Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8 and 2017-2019 Audi Q7 vehicles. The bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control. CONSEQUENCES A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1. Apparently my vin is not covered but others are. My car is telling me that this is the issue. Why are others covered and mine is not?
NHTSA complaint #11544122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.