2011 Audi Q7: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern visibility/wiper.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving on a country road with no vehicle in front of me - a loud explosion occurred and realized the front panel of the sunroof had exploded. Luckily, the screen was closed at the time and no large glass fragments fell into the occupants of the vehicle - there were five of us at the time. Arrived at a friend's house to vacuum out the small slivers of glass pieces that fell through the screen. The outside temperature that day was approximately 80°F. The explosion sounded like gunfire and it was very scary. My [XXX] (Nephew) started crying after the incident because it was very shocking to all of us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2025
“The smell of gasoline out side on the left and the right behind driver seat. Please help me. I searched on YouTube alot of car audi brand recall to fix the issue. They said cracked and leaked the cap of filter fuel pump.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic stated that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel tank, and fuel filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by the dealer. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 114,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Jun 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving on a Saturday evening when it started raining. Wipers automatically engaged, suddenly saw passenger side blade warp then snap off and fly off the to the side of the street causing the driver behind me to swerve almost causing an accident. I pulled over immediately, to retrieve the piece to try and determine what happened. Saw that it just snapped off and flew off without any notice.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Apr 2023
“2 separate occasions now, the passenger-side windshield wipers have broken off. This is apparently a common incident with some Audi vehicles due to poor manufacturing/design. Audi has not implemented a recall. This is a safety concern as the wipers have broken off while I was driving and could hit another vehicle!”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2022
“I was driving in the rain with my wipers on, set on low when the passenger side wiper ejected itself and the wiper arm broke near the base. To keep my windshield from being scratched I had to turn my wipers off altogether forcing me to drive in the unsafe condition of poor visibility. There were no signs that the arm was about to break or the wiper was about to come off, they did so very suddenly.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2020
“Today I heard a thumping sound from my brakes and it caused my brakes to malfunction. And my steering is also got hardened a bit. Is there a recall campain for my 2011 q7 car for brake and steering issue? I've found out that 2012 2013 and 2017 models had recalls.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2020
“Seat back panel for both driver and passenger seats came off due summer temperature. Now electrical panels are exposed if kids just pull off the back panel.”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2020
“After starting engine, around 20 secs warning comes that right rear brake not working, right rear parking light not working. But there is no issue with brake lights or parking lights. Physical inspection shows it works just fine.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2019
“I purchased a new audi q7 s-line in 2011. Multiple repairs and recalls during and after warranty period. Electrical is particularly problematic. Changed first sensor door handle in 2014, under warranty. Now, with just over 70,000, all four handles failed, had to replace new battery and all four handles, total cost over $2,500. Clearly a manufacturer defect and if you search you'll find multiple complaints about the problem, so I called audi customer service. The car was always dealer-maintained and repaired, with all records, but they've been "researching my inquiry" for over a month now with no decision. Not what I would have expected of a "premium" car brand. Recommend they issue a tsb”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
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. (Audi) is recalling certain 2009-2015 Q7 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and Part 567, "Certification."
Remedy: Dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct rear GAWR on top of the existing safety certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50G5.
How other years compare
Check your exact Q7 by VIN
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Is the 2011 Audi Q7 reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Audi Q7. The most complained-about area is visibility/wiper.
Does the 2011 Audi Q7 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. 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.