2011 Audi Q7: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
90,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 23 complaints (30.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 21.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 17.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Visibility/Wiper: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Air Bags: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Seats: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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 10507364 · 2013-04-06 (April 6, 2013)
I AND FOUR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 2 AND 9 WERE DRIVING A 2011 AUDI Q7 ON A RIGHT LANE OF A STREET. WE HAD A GREEN LIGHT AND ANOTHER DRIVER IN A HONDA MINIVAN FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF US WITHOUT YIELDING AND THOUGH I HIT THE BRAKE IMMEDIATELY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING HEAD ON INTO THE OTHER CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. I AM TOLD THAT MY AUDI IS PROBABLY TOTALED BUT WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR THE OFFICIAL RESULTS. WE WERE ALL WEARING SEATBELTS BUT THE AIRBAGS ON MY AUDI NEVER DEPLOYED. W…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10507364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10631921 · 2014-09-09 (September 9, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE FROM HIGH TO LOW AND THEN BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10631921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10637660 · 2014-09-19 (September 19, 2014)
TIRES PURCHASED FROM LIBERTY TIRE AND BRAKE ON 05/01/14 WERE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2008-2009 WITH ONLY 3-9 MONTHS OF WARRANTY LEFT. ON OUR WAY HOME FROM OUR FAMILY VACATION FROM THE FL KEYS ON 07/06/14 ONE TIRE SEPARATED AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE OFF BALANCE. WE PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES TO CONTINUE OUR 500 MILE JOURNEY HOME. DUE TO LIMITED TRUNK SPACE WITH LUGGAGE AND OUR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO BRING THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK WITH US WHICH NEXEN WILL REFUND US. HOWEVER WE WOULD ALSO LIKE A REFUND FOR THE OTHER THREE TIRES MANUFA…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10637660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731421 · 2015-07-01 (July 1, 2015)
THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO AUDIS ADBLUE(NOX) SYSTEM. WE RECIEVED A FAULT ON A ROAD TRIP. IT STATED CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON WITHIN 600 MILES. IT STARTED TO COUNT DOWN. AFTER 3 DEALERSHIP VISITS THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FIRST PART TO REPLACE IS A NOX SENSOR TO THE COST OF 1300 DOLLARS. I REFUSED AS I DIDN'T HAVE THAT AMOUNT. SO NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT CANT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE IT WONT TURN ON AND COMPLY WITH FEDERAL EMISSIONS. I FEEL THAT IF THERE IS A PART HAVING TO DO WITH FEDERAL EMISSIONS THEN AUDI SHOULD HAVE TO BE FORCED TO REPLACE IT LIKE THEY W…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10905910 · 2016-09-12 (September 12, 2016)
THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO AUDI'S ADBLUE (NOX) SYSTEM. THE NOX SENSOR FAILED, WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THE WARNING ALERT STATES THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHIN 600 MILES. THE NOX SENSOR MUST BE REPLACE; OTHERWISE, THE CAR WILL NOT RUN DUE TO THE SOFTWARE LOCK OUT TRIGGERED BY THE SENSOR. I AM FORCED TO REPAIR THE CAR DESPITE THE FACT THE TDI ADBLUE SYSTEM NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AS ADVERTISED BY VW/AUDI. IN MY VIEW, VW/AUDI SHOULD REPLACE THE SENSOR OR VW/AUDI SHOULD OFFER A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY COST RELATED TO THE TDI ADBLUE SYSTEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10905910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10992466 · 2017-05-31 (May 31, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL ON SEVERAL COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SPRAY DERIVED FROM A FAILED OR FRACTURED FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V019000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORM…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11041380 · 2017-10-30 (October 30, 2017)
THE HAS BEEN A LOT OF INCIDENT THAT AN AUDI Q7 RIGHT WIPER BLADE CAN SNAPPED OFF AND CAN HIT ANOTHER CAR OF PERSON WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING LAST NIGHT AND LUCKILY SLOWED DOWN ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PASSENGER WIPER ARM JUST SNAPPED IN HALF. IF I WAS DRIVING FASTER AT THAT TIME, THAT COULD HAVE WENT FLYING AND HIT ANOTHER CAR BEHIND ME. THE WIPER ARM IS METAL AND THE END WHERE IT SNAPPED IS SHARP. WHEN I SEARCH THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND AUDI IS NOT DOING ANY…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11041380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045764 · 2017-11-13 (November 13, 2017)
THE WIPER ARM BROKE OFF FROM THE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY AT THE BASE. CONDITIONS WERE MEDIUM RAIN. TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES (F). DRIVING AT LEGAL HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH. THERE WAS NO OBJECT COLLISION. IT SIMPLY SNAPPED, LEAVING ONLY THE DRIVER WIPER FUNCTIONAL.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045764 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 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 ↗16V660000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2016-09-13 (September 13, 2016)
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.
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 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V818000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2018-11-19 (November 19, 2018)
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.
Consequence: The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V086000 · Equipment:Other:Labels | Tires
Reported: 2023-02-15 (February 15, 2023)
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."
Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗