2012 Audi A7: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% of complaints); the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have seen at least three other complaints with NHTSA on this same item all with different headings. Check engine light comes on at high speeds while highway driving. Pull Engine code and comes back as P2753 - Valve for transmission fluid cooler circuit open. Had to replace coolant control valve for transmission as coolant was leaking into solenoid. Many other reports of this same problem on NHTSA already and mechanic says it is known issue with Audi.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2022
“Oil system. A quart of oil has to be added every day. Dealership says its crank case breather. Which the supercharge cause the oil to burn more. Also the antifreeze is burning more because the engine is so hot from the oil burning rapidly. Audi is aware and fails to do anything about this known issue.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2021
“The contact owns a 2012 Audi A7. The contact stated that after driving from a stop sign into a four-way intersection at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fuel had leaked from the engine compartment and was caused by a detached fuel line due to a failed fuel line coupling. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number 17V781000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car comes equipped with automatic cruise control and auto-braking. Systems recently were disabled, and are throwing error. "0161 - video cable for image processing " unable to use cruise control, and assume that auto-braking is disabled until this is rectified.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2020
“Car comes equipped with automatic cruise control and auto-braking. Systems recently were disabled, and are throwing error. "0161 - video cable for image processing " unable to use cruise control, and assume that auto-braking is disabled until this is rectified.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2020
“Vehicle stalled while driving. Upon inspection by the dealership, I was informed that a coolant valve connected to the transmission control module had failed. This resulted in coolant leaking into the module and thereby damaging it. This is a known defect in a similar vehicle of the same year.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 audi a7. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact managed to maneuver the steering wheel and drive home. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,291.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2019
“Received notice some time ago about recall affecting passenger airbag. Months have passed and audi here claims still do not have parts for recall. I also earlier filed a complaint about a short in the wiring harness disabling the driver's airbag (which I now believe is a problem with the heated seats since they were excluded from the previous recall for this problem in other models and don't understand why was not a subject for recall as well.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2018
“Excess road noise when car is in motion 40-80mph. Sounds like droning humming noise indicative of excessive wheel bearing wear”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2018
“My 2012 audi a7 shut off as I was driving down the street. Took it to audi memphis and they stated there was a leak in my trans coolant control value. After doing a little research I found this to be a common problem in audi's. The repair is about 6,500 dollars.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Sep 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.
How other years compare
Check your exact A7 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Audi A7 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Audi A7. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Audi A7 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,146 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Audi A7 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.