FaultScore

FaultScore report

2021 Audi SQ7 problems

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2021 Audi SQ7 with NHTSA between 2022 and 2026. The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

10

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

How 2021 compares with every other Audi SQ7

Click any bar to open that year's report.

20 21 22 24 25
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2021 Audi SQ7

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 5 50.0%
Electrical System 3 30.0%

Median failure at 45,270 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 20.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Oct 2022 peak 4 May 2026

Recalls on the 2021 Audi SQ7

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2025713 30,276 units in Canada

Visual System

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the rearview camera software.

Recall 2025167 3,905 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem with the instrument cluster (virtual cockpit) could cause it to shut down. If this happens, you may not be able to see certain information about the vehicle, including the speedometer, warnings, and tell-tales. Safety Risk: Warnings, tell-tales and gauges that don't display could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the instrument cluster software.

Recall 2022565 19,006 units in Canada

Visual System

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the infotainment software.

Recall 2022022 4,361 units in Canada

Suspension

Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear wheel alignment was not checked during recall 42L1 (Transport Canada Recall 2021-249). As a result, the steering could pull to one side or another and the tires could wear unevenly. If you continue to drive the vehicle in this condition, there may be reduced traction. Eventually, a tire could fail and lose air pressure. Safety Risk: A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect and adjust the rear wheel alignment, as necessary. Additionally, the dealer will inspect the rear tires for premature and uneven wear due to this issue, and replace them if necessary.

Recall 2021486 7,198 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger seat belt assemblies may contain defective automatic locking retractors (ALR). As a result, the seat belts may not properly lock to secure a child seat. Safety Risk: A seat belt that is used to secure a child restraint but is not properly locked could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the seat belts. They will be replaced, if necessary.

Recall 2021279 4 units in Canada

Engine

Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the engine block could crack due to a manufacturing error. This could lead to damage of other engine parts, and could result in an oil leak or an engine failure. An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of engine power while driving. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the engine.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Woburn, MA

ENGINE

I am reporting premature cooling system failure on my 2021 Audi SQ7 equipped with the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (EA825 engine). The vehicle developed a coolant leak from the water pump and thermostat housing assembly at relatively low mileage (less than 27,000 miles). The failure caused coolant loss and low coolant warning messages, requiring major repair due to the engine’s integrated “hot-V” cooling system design. Research shows many similar reports involving Audi EA825 4.0T vehicles (SQ7, SQ8, RS6, RS7, etc.) experiencing water pump and thermostat leaks, along with multiple revised OEM part numbers and redesigned components. This defect creates a potential safety risk because sudden coolant loss can lead to overheating, limp mode, loss of power, or breakdown while driving. I request that NHTSA investigate whether these recurring cooling system failures on EA825 4.0T engines represent a broader defect trend. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA complaint #11739537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles New York, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System). The contact scheduled an appointment with a local dealer; however, the dealer advised the contact that the USB ports needed to be repaired to complete the recall repair. The contact had never used the ports and was unaware of the failure prior to the recall notification. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA complaint #11712409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,540 miles Okemos, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ7. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the instrument cluster became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure was intermittent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V201000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 44,540. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11657203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Towaco, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The presense and parking and lane change and rear warning lights go on. Have had the sensors changed and recalibrated. Been to dealership 3 times without a solution. Not sure if the system is functioning or not as is sporadic

NHTSA complaint #11653556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Towaco, NJ

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The presense and parking and lane change and rear warning lights go on. Have had the sensors changed and recalibrated. Been to dealership 3 times without a solution. Not sure if the system is functioning or not as is sporadic

NHTSA complaint #11653556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Towaco, NJ

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

The presense and parking and lane change and rear warning lights go on. Have had the sensors changed and recalibrated. Been to dealership 3 times without a solution. Not sure if the system is functioning or not as is sporadic

NHTSA complaint #11653556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Elgin, IL

ENGINE

The car started over heating at 39,000 miles with the warning that “coolant temperature too high, let engine run with vehicle stationary.” Took it to the dealer for repairs and they said it’s a bad thermostat and water pump which requires the entire front end to be disassembled to change. Surprised that this occurred at only 39,000 miles. Luckily my car is under warranty a few more months.

NHTSA complaint #11574768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kissimmee, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Sporadic failures of saftey systems by driver warning -Adaptive vehicle assistance Predictive regulation restricted -Audi adaptive light malfunction -Audi pre sense system malfunction -Adaptive vehicle assistance restricted This has happened since new and told by Audi no fix for months related to Audi solution number 2061489/4

NHTSA complaint #11489825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kissimmee, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Sporadic failures of saftey systems by driver warning -Adaptive vehicle assistance Predictive regulation restricted -Audi adaptive light malfunction -Audi pre sense system malfunction -Adaptive vehicle assistance restricted This has happened since new and told by Audi no fix for months related to Audi solution number 2061489/4

NHTSA complaint #11489825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kissimmee, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Sporadic failures of saftey systems by driver warning -Adaptive vehicle assistance Predictive regulation restricted -Audi adaptive light malfunction -Audi pre sense system malfunction -Adaptive vehicle assistance restricted This has happened since new and told by Audi no fix for months related to Audi solution number 2061489/4

NHTSA complaint #11489825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.