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severe Owners of the 2017 Audi Q7 have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 32,300 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Q7 (this page) | 19 |
| 2018 Q7 | 7 |
| 2019 Q7 | 10 |
| 2021 Q7 | 4 |
Of the 6 model years of Audi Q7 we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides regarding visual damage for all vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This TSB provides information regarding rotational and other steerihng wheel vibrations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when there is a prompt to take over steering; hands off detection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when there are vibrations and rotational steering wheel vibrations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of the 2017 Audi Q7 describe two main steering issues: loss of power steering assistance and mechanical noise.
Power steering failures occur without warning. Owners report sudden steering malfunction warnings followed by the wheel becoming extremely difficult or impossible to turn. At 47,000 miles one owner lost power steering at 70 mph; another at low speed near a gas station. One owner's steering wheel locked completely during a power loss event. Dealers diagnose steering control module failure, steering gear faults, or loose steering shaft bolts. Repair costs reach $4,000 for steering rack and pinion replacement. A recall (NHTSA Campaign 20V149000) addresses loose steering shaft bolts on some 2017–2019 Q7s, but multiple owners report their VINs excluded despite experiencing identical failures. One owner provided photos of corroded drive shafts and wet seals, pointing to water ingress as a root cause.
Steering noise—clicking at low speeds during parking and buzzing during turns—affects multiple vehicles. Dealers have replaced entire suspension and electrical steering systems without resolving it. One owner waited over a year for a promised steering shaft replacement that never happened due to parts unavailability. This mirrors a 2015 Q5 recall for the same noise.
Less common but serious: one owner experienced their steering wheel overresponse suddenly, causing a rollover crash at 17,017 miles. Another reported the transmission stuck in reverse with steering unresponsive to driver commands. A third saw intermittent electromechanical steering warnings with no driver input triggering wheel movement.
Same Audi Q7 steering reports on nearby years: 2019
Complete or partial loss of power steering assistance, rendering the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Owners report sudden illumination of 'steering malfunction' warning lights (some with red steering wheel icon) followed by loss of power assist. One owner lost power steering at 70 mph; another at low speed pulling into a gas station. A third experienced steering wheel lockup during a broader power loss event.
When: 47,000 miles; 70,000 miles; during normal driving at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn; Red warning light: 'Electromechanical steering failure' or 'Steering malfunction, stop car immediately'; Sudden loss of power steering assistance; Steering wheel locks up
Codes mentioned: Steering control module fault, Steering gear fault
Repairs/costs cited: Steering control module and steering gear replacement; estimated cost $4,000 for steering rack and pinion at 72,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V149000 issued for 2017–2019 Q7 (and 2019 Q8) regarding loose steering shaft bolt; dealers to inspect and replace bolt free of charge. Several owners report their VINs excluded despite experiencing identical failures. Recall began March 31, 2020.
Bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear becomes loose, compromising steering control. One owner reports water and oil ingress into the resolver unit via wet rubber seal and corroded drive shaft, causing loss of feedback signal and unit failure. Another owner detected stepper motor sensation and rubber-scratching noise a month before complete unit failure.
When: Various mileage; one incident month-long degradation prior to failure; 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn; Power steering assistance stops suddenly; Stepper motor sensation in steering wheel (intermittent, warm environment); Rubber-scratching sound from steering column; Difficulty resetting fault; unit not accessible to service computer
Codes mentioned: Loss of steering feedback signal, Resolver unit failure
Repairs/costs cited: Steering unit replacement; evidence of water/oil ingress and corrosion on drive shaft observed in replaced part
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 36A1 (NHTSA Campaign 20V149000) addresses loose steering shaft bolt on certain 2017–2019 Q7 models; free inspection and replacement at Audi dealers. Some owners report their VINs excluded despite identical failures.
Vehicle displays intermittent and unpredictable steering warnings accompanied by apparent automatic steering wheel movement with no driver input. Owners report 'electromechanical steering failure' warnings (red indicator, ~1 second duration) and 'Distance warning: currently unavailable' messages appearing together. Warnings sometimes occur when vehicle is stopped. Dealerships unable to replicate due to intermittent nature.
When: Long-term issue; occurring over at least two years; unpredictable timing
Symptoms owners cite: Electromechanical steering failure warning (red light, ~1 second); Distance warning: currently unavailable; Steering wheel appears to turn without driver input; Audi pre-sense currently restricted warning (sometimes coincident); Warnings occur both in motion and at rest
Codes mentioned: Electromechanical steering failure, Audi pre-sense restriction
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; dealership unable to replicate intermittent issue
Loud clicking noise when steering at low speeds (especially during parking maneuvers) and buzzing noise during any turn. Early production 2017 Q7 affected similarly to 2015 Q5 (which has existing recall for steering noise). Multiple owners report the same symptom pattern. One owner had both suspension and electrical steering system replaced but noise persisted; a second owner reports the car was promised steering shaft replacement over a year ago with no completion due to parts unavailability.
When: Low speed maneuvers (parking); present during turns; begins at 10 mph turning speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clicking noise at low speed / during parking; Buzzing noise during turns; Squeaky sound as if something rubbing; Noise felt in steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced entire suspension and electrical steering system on one vehicle with no resolution; another owner promised steering shaft replacement for over a year but part unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi issued TSB for tire wear condition on 20-inch wheels but does not address same condition on 18-inch wheels. No recall issued for steering noise on 2017 Q7 despite similarity to 2015 Q5 recall.
Vehicle entered reverse gear and would not respond to brake input or steering commands. Gear remained stuck in reverse for 350 feet until driver cut engine with ignition switch, at which point transmission returned to drive mode. Steering column would not accept any commands during the event.
When: During low-speed reverse maneuver in parking space
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stuck in reverse, unresponsive to brake pedal; Steering column unresponsive to commands; Transmission remained in reverse until engine shut off via ignition switch; Electronic malfunction suspected
Repairs/costs cited: No repair data provided by owner; awaiting dealership diagnosis
Active Lane Keep Assist failed to prevent lane departure; when owner attempted manual correction via steering wheel, the steering response was excessive and erratic. Vehicle swerved left and right uncontrollably on dry, straight road with no traffic, resulting in rollover and crash. Owner reports two prior dealership visits for brake problems (car accelerating instead of stopping) remained unresolved. Multiple error messages and three recall repairs performed within 17 months of ownership.
When: 17,017 miles; dry, straight road; no traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Lane Keep Assist did not engage; Steering wheel overresponse when adjusted manually; Car veered left and right uncontrollably; Vehicle rollover and crash; Recurring error messages: Adaptive Cruise Control unavailable, Audi Pre-Sense currently restricted
Codes mentioned: Adaptive Cruise Control unavailable, Audi Pre-Sense currently restricted
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss after crash; prior unresolved brake problems (acceleration instead of stopping) mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Three recall repairs performed; dealership unable to fully address brake malfunction complaints during two visits within 17 months
Steering wheel locked during a broader vehicle power loss event accompanied by multiple error codes. Battery was initially replaced; failure recurred shortly after. Dealership indicated software update required (available only at dealership) and refuses to proceed without owner purchasing dealership battery.
When: During normal city street driving
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple error codes flashed; Complete loss of power within seconds; Steering wheel locked; Vehicle could not be safely steered off road
Codes mentioned: Multiple (not specified by owner)
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement performed; issue recurred. Software update identified as remedy but dealership conditional on battery purchase.
Lane Assist system pulled steering wheel hard to the right without driver input while driving in single lane on a 55 mph road approaching an intersection. Owner suspects lane line detection error at intersection.
When: During 55 mph road driving near intersection
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden hard steering pull to right; No driver input to steering; Uncontrolled steering intervention
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 17,017 and 63,000 miles, with the median around 32,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,017; a quarter make it past 63,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.