2017 Audi Q7 electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V642000Sep 6, 201679,895 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 5, 2026CAElectrical System

   The vehicle has a recurring electrical failure involving the camshaft position sensor circuit (DTC P0365). The sensor itself is functional, but the wiring harness leading to the sensor develops internal copper fatigue due to a design flaw in the factory routing. The harness is bent tightly behind the passenger-side cylinder head, causing vibration-induced internal wire breakage that is invisible externally. This failure is well known to Audi dealers and has been reproduced…

   NHTSA complaint #11762386 · source
2. Filed Jul 31, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2017 Audi Q7 with the 3.0T engine has experienced repeated engine/ignition system failures. The vehicle displays a "System Malfunction" warning light accompanied by shaking and stalling. This same malfunction has occurred at least 3 separate times over the past few years. Each time, a repair shop diagnosed and replaced faulty ignition coils, and the vehicle ran normally for a period of time before the identical malfunction returned. The vehicle is currently inoperable due…

   NHTSA complaint #11754079 · source
3. Filed Mar 9, 2026MIElectrical SystemLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11722959 · source
4. Filed Feb 23, 2026NVElectrical SystemLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11719946 · source
5. Filed Oct 21, 202596,000 miCAElectrical SystemLighting

   The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side marker warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic with a failing driver's side marker. The contact was informed that the driver's side marker needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at night, the failure was a safety issue. In addition, the contact stated that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11694827 · source
6. Filed May 13, 2025NVElectrical SystemLighting

   The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Side Marker light Fault Detected" was displayed. The contact stated that after a visual inspection, the contact became aware that both side marker lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the side marker light assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to…

   NHTSA complaint #11660677 · source
7. Filed Mar 16, 2025FLFire1 injuredElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   The car caught fire and burnt to to the frame. The message that came on the dash board before it caught fire was camera. I told Audi and they disregard all of that. They told me they were going to check or do investigation and the only thing I was told after looking for answer was this! These people know my insurance was state minimum so everyone put aside our safety concerned… Thank you for your continued patience while allowing Volkswagen Group of America the opportunity…

   NHTSA complaint #11648603 · source
8. Filed Mar 8, 2025FLElectrical System

   My vehicle is experiencing the same issues as described in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V642000, but my vin number isn't listed in the vehicles affected even thought the year make and model agree to the recall. Should the dealer be willing to correct this issue since it's a known safety hazard?

   NHTSA complaint #11647141 · source
9. Filed Mar 6, 2025MIElectrical SystemLighting

   Front left and right marker lights show up as defective on the dashboard, intermittently, but the lights are working. Have seen on different forums that this is not uncommon with this vehicle. Many complaints. Tried working with Audi/USA and have followed their advice with needing a dealership assessments. I have done this on two occasions, but they said that they will not be responsible, but that the dealership will offer a labor discount of 10%. These quotes are over $7000…

   NHTSA complaint #11646692 · source
10. Filed Jan 15, 2025NVElectrical SystemLighting

    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 error message: "Front Right Side Marker Light Defective." This poses safety risks because the erroneous warning distracts drivers from the road and could lead to the system failing to alert the driver of an actual side marker light issue in the future. Many…

    NHTSA complaint #11636108 · source
11. Filed Dec 28, 2024CAElectrical SystemLighting

    "Front left side market light defective" - When the vehicle turns on and the lights activate the side marker lights do not illuminate. There was a recall for this model and year but doesn't include my VIN#. This is happening to MANY 2017 Q7 models. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    NHTSA complaint #11632882 · source
12. Filed Dec 11, 2024OHElectrical SystemLighting

    The computer keeps showing that we have a malfunction in the side marker lights. They still work but we get the notice daily. Have taken it to the the dealer and they state that there is a recall but our vin number is not in the listing. There repair cost is over $4000. It's the same problem, my vehicle is in the 2017 Q7 range. Our number needs to be added to the recall of the same problem.

    NHTSA complaint #11630095 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology