2018 Audi Q7 Steering

While driving on I-90 in January 2025, the steering wheel malfunctioned causing loss of control of the car. The warning message came on the dashboard to immediately stop driving. Was able to pull off to the shoulder, turn the vehicle off, and call AAA for assistance. They towed the car to a repair shop.

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front and rear wheels struck the curb causing the vehicle to spin out. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was brought to a stop and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack had failed due to a loss of communication with the steering module. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,851.

There is rapid pecking noise / vibration when traveling during all right directional curves in the road. When I head in to a slight curve where the steering wheel only needs to be moved a few degrees to the right, the noise is such that I can feel it around the firewall and footwell of both driver and passenger side not to mention it is very loud and annoying. I notified Bill Jacobs BMW along with the brakes squealing while backing up) where I bought the vehicle and they said to take it to an Audi dealer. I went to Audi of Lexington KY and they were wanting to charge me over 8K to replace the exhaust. I did have the exhaust replaced and new front brakes completely replaced and the issue for both are still present. Very disappointed since I found TWO TSB's relating to my vehicle after paying so much for the work. There is a TSB for the Exhaust downpipe and mounts as well as a TSB for squealing brakes. Being told, all German cars have squeaky brakes is BS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE INDICATING 'STEERING MALFUNCTION PLEASE VEHICLE' ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE MESSAGE WAS STILL DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT A PARKING LOT OVER NIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD THE MANUFACTURER TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER BELL AUDI (782 US-1, EDISON, NJ 08817) WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM ISSUE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,328.

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE DRIVER SEAT; THE CENTER OF THE SEAT IS ABOUT 1" (ONE INCH) TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL