Air suspension
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Car sits low, compressor runs long
Fix: Replace strut / compressor
€800–2,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Audi Q7 (4L)
2006–2015
2
engines covered
10
known faults
22,411
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
5
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Audi Q7 (4L) was built from 2006 to 2015.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 10 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain wear: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €3,000–5,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (9.4 %), tyres and wheels (7.7 %), brakes (5.8 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6 | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · VW 507.00 · ~6.0–8.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0 TFSI V6 supercharged (Audi EA837) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · VW 504.00 · ~6.8 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Transfer case / propshaft centre bearing
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Vibration, clunk pulling away, 4x4 warning
Fix: Replace bearing / transfer case actuator
€500–2,500
Faults by engine
2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6
Timing chain wear
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle at rear of engine
Fix: Replace chains (gearbox off)
€3,000–5,000
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€400–1,800
Swirl flaps / intake manifold (2004–2010)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2004–2010 only
Signs: Engine light, flap position codes
Fix: Replace intake manifold / actuator
€600–1,500
3.0 TFSI V6 supercharged (Audi EA837)
Water pump and thermostat leak (3.0 TFSI)
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating warning, coolant pooling in the engine valley
Fix: Replace the water pump and thermostat (they sit under the supercharger)
€600–1,400
Oil separator (PCV) failure
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whistling, rough idle, rising oil consumption
Fix: Replace the oil separator
€300–800
Carbon build-up on intake valves
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough idle, misfires (direct injection)
Fix: Walnut blasting
€300–600
Timing chain tensioners (3.0 TFSI, to 2012)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2012 only
Signs: Rattle on a cold start that gets longer over time
Fix: Replace the chains and tensioners (the engine or gearbox has to come out)
€2,500–5,000
Gearboxes
Automatic (Aisin / ZF Tiptronic)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6 engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| AWD coupling (Haldex) oil + filterTransmission | every 60,000 km or every 36 months | €60–150 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 22,411 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.6 % | 3.7 % | 5.8 % | 7.7 % | 8.6 % |
| Suspension | 2.8 % | 2.3 % | 2.8 % | 4.6 % | 5.5 % |
| Steering | 0.5 % | 0.9 % | 1.4 % | 1.8 % | 2.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.4 % | 6.7 % | 7.7 % | 8.4 % | 8.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 4.9 % | 6.6 % | 9.4 % | 12.6 % | 14.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.3 % | 0.6 % | 1.3 % | 2.2 % | 3.7 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.4 % | 1.5 % | 2.3 % | 2.8 % | 4.1 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 271 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (5). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Steering Bolted connection between steering shaft and steering rack may come loose18/03/2020 · R/2020/075
- Seats Third row seats may deform in event of a collision23/09/2016 · R/2016/220
- Fuel system Fuel may leak20/04/2015 · R/2015/031
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Reduction in braking performance01/10/2014 · R/2014/098
- Doors / locks / lids Tailgate may close without warning25/09/2007 · R/2007/120
Other generations
Audi Q2 2016–Audi Q3 (8U) 2011–2018Audi Q3 (F3) 2018–Audi Q5 (8R) 2008–2017Audi Q5 (FY) 2017–Audi Q7 (4M) 2015–Audi Q4 e-tron 2021–Audi Q6 e-tron 2024–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026