2012 Audi A7: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
87,146 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 30 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 13.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
Air Bags: 7; Electrical System: 6; Steering: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine: 4; Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
2014: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 7; 2019: 4; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10578872 · 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)
OCTOBER 18, 2013. VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE ON THE AT 72 MILES PER HOUR JUST IN FRONT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. I WAS FORCED TO CROSS INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE WITH NO ACCELERATION OR POWER STEERING AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A HALT APPROXIMATELY 150 YARDS BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE BEGAN AS THE RIGHT LANE WAS CLOSING. I WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MY GIRLFRIEND. THE RIGHT LANE WAS CLOSING WITH CONCRETE K RAILS ON BOTH SIDES. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED US BOTH. ONCE AT A FULL STOP AND IN PARK I …
Owner-reported narrative. 23,537 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616972 · 2014-07-28 (July 28, 2014)
OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS 3 OUT OF MY 4 CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTAC TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED "BUBBLES" IN THE SIDE WALL. WHEN THE 1ST (OR EVEN PERHAPS THE 2ND) TIRE DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO POT HOLES. IT IS SUMMER NOW AND I HAVE DRIVEN VERY LITTLE BUT THE 3RD TIRE HAS PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM. I KEEP THE TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED. ALL OF MY TIRES ARE ROUTINELY EXAMINED PERSONALLY AND BY THE TIRE COMPANY WHEN REPLACING PREVIOUS TIRES. UPDATED 4/24/2015*JS
Owner-reported narrative. 21,232 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10617260 · 2014-07-29 (July 29, 2014)
2012 AUDI A7; 4 SIDEWALL "BUBBLING" BLOWOUTS IN A YEAR. BEING VERY CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE, AND NORMAL CITY DRIVING. TWO BLOWOUTS OCCURED WHEN CAR WAS IN PARK. VEHICLE DEALER MAINTAINS BLOWOUTS ARE DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10617260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10956835 · 2017-02-24 (February 24, 2017)
WHEN THE IGNITION IN THIS CAR IS TURNED OFF, IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN THE PARK POSITION. YOU CAN TURN THE CAR OFF IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME ON A ROUTINE BASIS AND IN TWO INSTANCES THE CAR HAS ROLLED BACKWARD WHILE IN GEAR. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED BY THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE BECAME A KNOWN ISSUE AND WAS MODIFIED WITH AN "EXIT ASSIST" IN THE 2013 AUDI A7. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AUDI THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE EXIT ASSIST IN THE 2012 MODEL AND NO REPAIRS ARE NECESSARY. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT AGRE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10956835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10967755 · 2017-03-22 (March 22, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V823000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ...UPDATED 05/03/17 *BF *AS
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10983509 · 2017-05-04 (May 4, 2017)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE "COOLANT VALVE LEAKED INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND SHORTED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. MAY HAVE CAUSE AN UNEXPECTED STALL OF THE VEHICLE."
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11015046 · 2017-08-14 (August 14, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED RANDOMLY. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND POWER EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESET THE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD A RECALL AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SERVICED BY A DEALER. THE DEALER (AUDI CONSHOHOCKEN, [phone removed]) AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 128,941 miles reported. Look up ODI 11015046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11030207 · 2017-09-27 (September 27, 2017)
I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WHICH WOULD NOT GO OUT IS BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH EVEN THE DEALERSHIP THINKS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY TOLD THAT TO AUDI) TO FIX THIS, AND ASSURE THAT MY AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY, THEY WANT OVER 18 THOUSAND DOLLARS. AUDI HAS DISCLAIMED ANY LIABILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE ITS AN AIRBAG ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11030207 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V019000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2015-01-20 (January 20, 2015)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V823000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2015-12-08 (December 8, 2015)
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.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V646000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2016-09-07 (September 7, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V781000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2017-12-06 (December 6, 2017)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V370000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2018-06-04 (June 4, 2018)
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.
Consequence: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗