Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 66 number 13-39 dated December 9, 2013. Customer may report hearing wind noise from the front door area when the vehicle is driven at highway speeds. After diagnosis, it is determined that the source of the wind noise is the exterior rear view mirrors. The two main sources of wind noise from the exterior rear view mirrors are: the seam surrounding the turn signal lamp and the seam at the mirror base. The modifications explained in the Service section of this bulletin will effectively mitigate the wind noise symptom for the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Audi Q7 visibility problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 3 visibility complaints filed for the 2009 Audi Q7, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Windshield is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or its surface feels rough. Residue from industrial fallout as well as normal road dirt and grime may accumulate on windshield.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 66 number 13-38 dated November 15, 2013. Customer may report hearing wind noise from the front door area when the vehicle is driven at highway speeds. After diagnosis, it is determined that the source of the wind noise is the exterior rear view mirrors. The two main sources of wind noise from the exterior rear view mirrors are: the seam surrounding the turn signal lamp and the seam at the mirror base. The modifications explained in the Service section of this bulletin will effectively mitigate the wind noise symptom for the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Wind noise from Exterior Mirror.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 66 number 13-37 dated November 4, 2013. Customer may report hearing wind noise from the front door area when the vehicle is driven at highway speeds. After diagnosis, it is determined that the source of the wind noise is the exterior rear view mirrors. Throughout the development of the Audi Q5 and Audi Q7, various features have been added to the exterior rear view mirrors. The added features include the turn signal lamp, side assist lamp, perimeter lamp, etc. As the complexity of the exterior rear view mirror increases, the mirrors become more susceptible to wind noise. The two main sources of wind noise from the exterior rear view mirrors are: the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving in moderate rain with the windshield wipers on, the passenger side windshield wiper flew off. I ordered a new passenger side windshield wiper and it worked for a month. Then the passenger side wiper froze during use, causing the driver side wiper to hit it.
The passenger side windshield arm snapped off in the middle of driving under ordinary conditions at a slow speed. It flew off the vehicle.
The passanger wiper arm snapped off while driving. It was during heavy rain conditions.
Had visibility trouble with your 2009 Audi Q7?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2009 Audi Q7?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 94,600 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Audi/Q7.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.