2012 Audi Q7: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern fuel/propulsion system.
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 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2012 Audi Q7. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal odor inside the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel system were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2025
“Since I bought my vehicle it has been burning oil I am adding oil every two to three days because it burns it and the smells burnt and the light comes on I have to add 3 oil bottles every two to three days It smells burnt and I cannot drive for long periods of times because I am scared something can happen. I have a 2012 audi q7.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2023
“Hello! I have an 2012 audi q7 and my airbags never deployed at 50 mph impact. It's a total loss. Do I have grounds for a lawsuit?”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle has not even reach 92k miles and the waterpump is a already failing. Audi this is a know issue but the remedy has not been fixed. They only way to fix this is to replace with new unit. I understand audi specifically made a "weep" hole to warn the owner before the whole unit fails. This causes coolant to leak which eventually gives you the low coolant level warning on the dash. This is to prevent the bearing inside the waterpump to completely fail causing metal to metal contact thus causing specs of metal inside your coolant systems. It's unfortunate that this failing earlier than anticipated considering vehicle has not even reach the 100k miles.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2020
“Recall 20w9 was completed about may 2018. No leaking or cracks were found. Butyl tape was placed over flange to "prevent" future leaks. August 2020, fuel flange is now leaking. Strong gasoline smell from outside of vehicle. Dealership service department confirms it is leaking. Refuse to cover cost of replacement. The original "recalled" part is still in vehicle. Why will it not be covered now because the part lasted a few years longer that others. It still has failed and their band aid has failed.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2020
“Crank pulley hard rubber core or so called harmonic balancer broke and serpentine belt fell off causing to loose power steering and not be able to steer. I was pulling out of a highway ramp and thankfully other cars were able to avoid me due to the low traffic at the time of the incident. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2020
“Main pulley or so called harmonic balancer broke and serpentine belt fell off causing to loose power steering and not be able to steer I was lucky that just made it the turn and I was on straight pat and low speed to stop safely.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2020
“Vehicle has 31,000 miles. Only three or four people sat in the back ever in the time I had the car and the seatbelt in the back driver side is broken.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2020
“Over the past year, my vehicle has been consuming quarts of engine oil. During my last engine oil change, I was left to minimum oil levels after driving only 250 miles. No leaks were detected in engine by mechanics at both dealership and independent shops. The remedy recommend is an engine swap estimated to be over $10,000”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
“On two different occasions the passenger side windshield wiper arm has snapped off during heavy rainstorms while driving within nyc's posted speed limit on the grand central parkway of 50 mph. The lack of visibility compromises my safety and others while operating the vehicle.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - 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
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2012 Audi Q7 reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Audi Q7. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system.
Does the 2012 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.