Recall 16V648 affects 8 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles for a power steering control unit short circuit. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 8 2017 Q7 SUVs because the electric power steering assist control unit can short circuit and shut off power steering assist. Extra steering effort is required at lower speeds after that loss, increasing crash risk, and Audi dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The electric power steering assist system on the 2017 Audi Q7 helps turn the steering rack with an electric motor and control unit. That control unit is the electronic module that tells the motor when to add steering help. Without that assist, the steering wheel still connects to the wheels, but it takes more effort to turn, especially at low speeds.
On affected Q7 SUVs, the sealing gel inside the control unit did not harden correctly during supplier production. The gel was supposed to protect the electronics inside the module. Because the wrong material mix was dispensed, the unhardened gel can fail to protect the electronics the way it was intended, and the control unit can short circuit. When that happens, the vehicle can lose power steering assist.
Audi says the warning sign is a power steering indicator light in the instrument panel, along with the vehicle losing power steering assist. If that happens, have the Q7 inspected by an Audi dealer or qualified workshop.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Audi Q7 | power steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 8 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Audi Q7 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of power steering assist means the wheel takes more effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing crash risk. If the power steering indicator comes on or steering assist drops out, slow down, avoid tight maneuvers, and contact an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop for inspection. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Audi Q7 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free steering-rack replacement that fixes the electric power steering assist short-circuit risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V648 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra room for low-speed steering effort if power assist is lost.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the steering rack covered by recall 16V648. The repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The steering rack includes the electric power steering assist control unit, so replacement addresses the short circuit condition tied to loss of power steering assist. Audi has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for the same steering rack repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices and payment records to the service desk, or contact Audi customer service for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 8, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 26, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| September 26, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 1, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 1, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 1, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V648?
Recall 16V648 covers 8 2017 Audi Q7 vehicles with an electric power steering assist control unit that can short circuit and cause loss of power steering assist. Audi dealers replace the steering rack free of charge.
What should I do if my 2017 Audi Q7 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Q7 is included in recall 16V648. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer and ask for the steering rack replacement under recall 48M5. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Audi's remedy for recall 16V648 is steering rack replacement free of charge at any franchised Audi dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2017 Audi Q7 before the recall repair?
Recall 16V648 does not include a do-not-drive order, but loss of power steering assist requires extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free steering rack replacement with an Audi dealer.
What if I bought my Audi Q7 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to see whether your 2017 Audi Q7 is included, then give recall number 16V648 or Audi recall number 48M5 to the dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V648000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-822-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V648 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V648000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →