NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 12 complaints against the 2025 Audi Q7. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2025 Audi Q7 complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2025 Audi Q7 has generated 12 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2025 Audi Q7 has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Audi pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2025 Audi Q7 has 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “The vehicle has adaptive cruise control with something called “predictive control.” The occurrence happened on I-40 in New Mexico with a 75mph speed limit. I went to pass a semi and a pickup truck followed me into the passing lane. Both lanes were clear ahead for at least a tenth of a mile. As I got to the front of the semi, we reached an exit off the right lane. The Q7 slammed on the brakes – not slowed down, it literally slammed on the brakes. Luckily I reacted to hit the gas pedal to override the cruise control and the pickup truck driver reacted by slamming on his brakes. But a simple pass could have resulted in a disastrous accident solely because of the vehicle. I had some of these issues earlier in my trip, but not to the degree of the above incident. It was most common when passing near any intersection, including exit ramps and emergency vehicle cross-overs. An intersection icon showed up and the vehicle slowed down – sometimes gently, sometimes more forcefully. It appears to be operating within its design parameters. I reported the issue to the dealer, but I am currently across the country. I am awaiting a response. I found the settings to turn off predictive control and am testing the system to see if this works. But if the system is operating as designed, there appears to be a flaw if predictive control is active.” (NHTSA Complaint #11699724)
Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2025 Audi Q7 has 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “The system keeps turning itself on after I knowingly turn it off. I have seen that other customers have complained for the same reason. I have owned the car since 1/30/25, it has turned itself on average 1-2x per week since owning the car. There are a myriad of other software issues with the car that Audi refuses to fix. When it comes back on, if I do not immediately notice, making any lane change becomes very dangerous, or particularly in a panic situation, the steering wheel is jerked so hard by the car that it is not a safe system to have turned on.” (NHTSA Complaint #11659152)
The 2025 Audi Q7 has generated 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “I leased a brand new 2025 Q7 at the beginning of June 2024. Two weeks into the lease i was attempting to back my car out of a parking spot at work, during a rainstorm, and the vehicle applied the brakes, grinding me to a sudden halt. It thought the rain was an obstacle. I tried several times to back out of the parking space and each time the car, without any other warning, slammed on the brakes. I called my salesperson who requested I contact the service center, who requested that I bring the vehicle in to be looked at. I was told that the vehicle should not be acting that way. After having the vehicle for 24 hours they called me to say there were no malfunctions or errors recorded in the system and I could come get the car. They told me that they were not able to “simulate rain” to test the issue adequately. A couple of weeks later it happened again. This time I was attempting to leave my garage, again in the rain, and I could not do so. The vehicle continued to halt each time I tried to back up. The car went back to the service center who had it for a full week, from 7/23/24 – 7/30/24, just to tell me that the issue I am referring to is actually “normal behavior and is a feature of the car” and they said that it could be turned off. This issue continued to occur and so I was provided a loaner vehicle while they were investigating what was occurring with mine. This report is related to that loaner vehicle as it has the same issue as my leased vehicle. Neither 2025 Q7 will backup in the rain and will slam on the brakes if you attempt to do so. The dealer continues to claim this is normal and I was told the issue was mine and there was nothing the dealer can or will do. I am reporting this vehicle as having an issue due to the severe safety concerns surrounding this issue with these vehicles. It is not being taken seriously by Audi and this is very concerning.” (NHTSA Complaint #11629360)
The 2025 Audi Q7 has generated 1 NHTSA complaint for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Start/Stop button will not start the engine at times. May take several attempts before engine will start. Had to have Audi Roadside Assist come to my location to get the vehicle car started. Drove vehicle to nearest dealer with the “engine light” illuminated. Was advised that Audi has a software update that needs to be installed. Update was supposed to drop by week 10 of 2026 but it is still not available as of week 12. Audi and the dealer cannot provide a resolution after vehicle has been in shop for 3 weeks. Was told that I could pick up the car since they did not see it as a safety issue, but if the vehicle if often unable to start why would one trust driving it?” (NHTSA Complaint #11725077)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2025 Audi Q7 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 1 NHTSA complaint have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “I own a 2025 Audi Q7 and have experienced repeated malfunctions related to the vehicle’s driver assistance and safety systems. The vehicle frequently displays warnings such as “Driving Assist Not Available” and other safety system errors. These issues started while the vehicle was still relatively new and have continued intermittently. The warnings appear while driving and indicate that important driver assistance systems are not functioning properly. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership multiple times for inspection. However, the dealership often reported that they could not duplicate the problem or that no fault codes were found. Despite this, the warnings continue to appear and the problem remains unresolved. Because these systems are related to safety features such as emergency braking and driver assistance, I am concerned that the malfunction could create a dangerous driving situation. The vehicle has multiple documented service visits and I also have video evidence showing the warnings when they occur. I am reporting this issue because the malfunction involves critical safety systems and has not been properly resolved by the dealership.” (NHTSA Complaint #11724319)
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2025 Audi Q7 by the NHTSA or Audi. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A seat belt that is missing a rivet may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Audi’s number for this recall is 692K. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov o
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi’s number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2025 Audi Q7:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Audi to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Audi must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2025 Audi Q7 qualifies as a lemon under California law, Audi may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Audi a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Audi dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Audi pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Audi a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Audi is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2025 Audi Q7 has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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