MODEL
Audi Q7
NHTSA safety across every Audi Q7 model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the Audi Q7 we cover (2019 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 89 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2022 at 80. 29 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Audi Q7 is a three-row luxury midsize SUV aimed squarely at premium family buyers who want European refinement alongside genuine passenger capacity. Competing against the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Q7 positions itself as a sophisticated daily driver with room for seven. Our coverage spans the 2019 through 2025 model years, giving shoppers a thorough look at its safety track record across a meaningful stretch of production.
The Audi Q7 earns its strongest safety marks in the 2025 model year, where it posts a MotorCaliber Safety Index of 89 out of 100, placing it firmly in the Strong band. Crash-test geometry tells a consistent story across covered years: a solid 5 out of 5 stars in side-impact testing reflects well-engineered door and curtain airbag protection, while the 4-star frontal and 4-star rollover results are respectable for a vehicle of this size and height but do leave a small gap from a perfect sheet. Shoppers should weigh those numbers honestly. The recall picture is harder to dismiss. With 29 recalls logged across the 2019 to 2025 span, the Q7 carries a notably active recall history for a luxury nameplate. That total warrants attention even though recalls are a manufacturer accountability mechanism rather than a direct predictor of crashes. Owner complaints across the same period number 167, with 8 reported crashes, 6 injuries, and 1 fire allegation among them. These are unverified allegations, but the injury-linked complaints are worth monitoring through NHTSA's database before purchase. The bottom line: the Q7's crash-test hardware is genuinely strong, particularly in side protection, but the elevated recall count and complaint-linked injury reports mean prospective buyers should run a VIN check and verify all open recalls are resolved before taking delivery.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Q7 for its composed, upscale driving character and well-appointed interior that sets a high bar in the three-row luxury SUV segment. Most acknowledge that the third row is better suited to children than adults. The ride quality and technology integration tend to draw consistent approval, while some reviewers note the complexity of its infotainment and driver-assistance systems as a learning curve.
- The 2025 Q7 achieves the highest Safety Index in our covered range at 89 out of 100, so if maximizing crash-test performance is a priority, the newest model year has the clearest advantage.
- Side-impact protection is the standout crash-test result, earning 5 out of 5 stars, while frontal and rollover ratings both sit at 4 out of 5, meaning the Q7 is not a clean sweep across all test modes.
- Twenty-nine recalls across 2019 to 2025 is a high count for a luxury SUV. Buyers should run a free NHTSA VIN lookup before purchase and confirm that every open recall has been remedied by an authorized Audi dealer.
- Owner complaints include 8 alleged crashes and 6 alleged injuries across the covered years. These are unverified allegations filed with NHTSA, but shoppers should review the specific complaint categories in the NHTSA database to understand which model years and systems drew the most concern.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Audi Q7 with 9 recalls.