The luxury midsize Audi Q7 SUV arrived for the 2007 model year, offering three rows of seating with space for seven. This first version of this SUV from Audi had a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 and a 4.2-liter V8 engine. There was also a choice between a traditional suspension and an air spring system. It was able to tow up to 6,600 pounds, and Edmunds called it “very impressive.” Although the Audi Q7 doesn’t have a lot of complaints, the 2007 model year does have one “really awful” engine issue.

Why the 2007 Audi Q7 is the worst model year

CarComplaints.com provides one way to find out what sorts of problems other owners have been having with their vehicles. The website collects the information into graphs that show the most common complaints and which model years have the most problems. While the Audi Q7 doesn’t have that many total issues, the website picked the 2007 Q7 as the worst model year.

The biggest problem category for the 2007 Q7 has been brake issues; however, there are still only three submitted problems with brakes. Two people had the electronic stability program (ESP) malfunction, and one person said he or she had to replace the brakes annually.

The “really awful” engine issue

While brakes may be the most problematic category, the most-submitted issue has been that the engine won’t turn over or won’t start. Car Complaints flagged this problem as the worst Audi Q7 issue across all the model years. This problem is actually an electrical one.

Two owners both submitted the problem, which received a severity rating of 10.0 or “really awful.” One owner wasn’t able to figure out the reason their engine wouldn’t start, and the other found that rain leaking from the sunroof destroyed the battery and several control modules in the Q7. Repairing the problem cost an average of $3,000, and the issue appeared around 63,000 miles on average.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also collects owners’ complaints. The NHTSA’s website shows that the electrical system is the category with the most complaints. People here also mentioned sunroof leaks that caused battery problems, preventing the vehicle from starting.

2007 Audi Q7 recalls

In addition to the complaints, the 2007 Audi Q7 also has three recalls. The first is a problem with the software for the automatic rear lid. It can cause rapid closing and possibly personal injury. The second is a possible cracking of the fuel pump flange leading to a fuel leak. This can increase the risk of a fire. The third recall is related to the second. Interim repairs to the fuel pump flange done with butyl tape may still allow fuel to leak. This can also lead to an increased risk of a fire.

Other model years

The 2007 model year does have the most complaints submitted to Car Complaints with nine, and all other model years have six or fewer. The electrical issue preventing the engine from starting has not been reported for the 2008 model year. Car Complaints says the two worst problems, after the engine not starting, are with the 2013 and the 2015 models.

The second-worst problem for the Q7, found in the 2013 model year, is premature tire wear. One owner mentioned needing to replace the tires at just 12,500 miles. And, the third-worst problem, found in the 2015 model year, is that the keys automatically lock the car. Two people found that it was easy to lock their keys, and their children, in the car by accident due to the automatic locking function.

The 2007 Audi Q7 does have some serious problems, especially regarding the electrical issue with the engine; however, the problem, and those of other model years, are very rare. They shouldn’t necessarily prevent used car buyers from considering a 2007 Q7.