2012 Audi Q7 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 29 complaints (37.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 24.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Engine: 8; Steering: 4; Power Train: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 7; 2020: 7; 2021: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10874392 · 2016-06-15 (June 15, 2016)
VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THE ODOR IS ESPECIALLY STRONG IN A CONFINED SPACE SUCH A GARAGE. THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR IS NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. LIVING IN A VERY WARM CLIMATE, I FEAR THAT A FIRE MAY BE CAUSED BY THE STRONG FUMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS CONCERN AND ARE 90% CURTAIN THAT THE SOURCE IS THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN ASKED IF A SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS CONCERN, THEY STATED THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN REPORTED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10874392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10981377 · 2017-04-29 (April 29, 2017)
OIL GOES LOW QUICKLY. HEAVY FUEL LEAK WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872929 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)
PULLING OUT MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP, VEHICLE SUDDENLY HESITATED, POWER TO ENGINE WAS INTERMITTENT AND JERKY, AND ACCELERATION WAS POOR TO NONE. MANY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (STABILITY, TIRE PRESSURE, ANTI-LOCK, ETC.). STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO SHAKING SLIGHTLY (POWER STEERING MOTOR?). CONDITION CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A MILE WHILE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO HOME. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. ON INITIAL CALL TO DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD "THEY DO THAT SOMETIMES; YOU NEED TO TURN OFF/ON TO REBOOT SYSTEM". AFTER TAKING FOR SERVICE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11301540 · 2020-01-24 (January 24, 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-reported narrative. 72,164 miles reported. Look up ODI 11301540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11189715 · 2019-03-18 (March 18, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI MARIETTA (LOCATED AT 1141 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PIPE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,525.
Owner-reported narrative. 64,525 miles reported. Look up ODI 11189715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11711746 · 2026-01-18 (January 18, 2026)
On or December 5th, 2025 (4 days after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a sudden and severe steering system failure while driving. When turning the steering wheel (even slightly), the vehicle produced a loud buzzing/grinding noise and the steering effort increased significantly, creating an immediate safety hazard. Because the steering issue worsened quickly and made the vehicle difficult to control, I stopped driving and brought the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership for inspection. The Audi dealership confirmed the steer…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11711746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11013362 · 2017-08-07 (August 7, 2017)
THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER PRESSURE LINE GOT A HOLE IN IT AND LEAKED ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS PLASTIC THAT WAS VISIBLY SEEN RUBBING AGAINST THIS METAL LINE WHICH OVER TIME WORE THE LINE DOWN SO MUCH THAT IT CREATED A HOLE ALLOWING THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR NOT WANTING TO SHIFT, DOWN-SHIT ETC WHEN I FINALLY PULLED OVER NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ONCE THE FLUID WAS JUST ABOUT OUT THE AUDI WARNING SYSTEM FINALLY NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11013362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11364394 · 2020-10-14 (October 14, 2020)
2012 AUDI Q7 3.0T S LINE PRESTIGE, 91K MILES! STARTED AS SMALL GASOLINE SMELL BECOMING STRONGER THROUGHOUT THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. SMELLED REALLY STRONG AROUND REAR LEFT DOOR AREA AND INSIDE CABIN. INVESTIGATED FUEL LEAK AND NOTICE UNDERNEATH THE SUV, FUEL DRIPPING DOWN THE SIDE OF ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANKS. DISCONNECT BATTERY, REMOVE REAR SEAT TO ACCESS FUEL PUMP PANEL ON THE FLOOR, DISCOVERED LOTS OF FUEL LEAK NEAR PUMP AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING ALREADY HAD "AUDI'S QUICK FIX" (PROTECTIVE FILM) COVERING THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11364394 at NHTSA ↗