2012 Audi Q7: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 10927632 · 2016-11-23 (November 23, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V660000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WAS RECEIVED IN SEPTEMBER. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10927632 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 11006007 · 2017-07-17 (July 17, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI AUDI Q7. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, CHECKED THE DIPSTICK, AND NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL BURNED FAST AND HE HAD TO ADD TWO EXTRA QUARTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY AUDI LYNNWOOD (17315 WA-99, LYNNWOOD, WA 98037, [phone removed]), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,420 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006007 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 11057472 · 2017-12-29 (December 29, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF EXPLODED INDEPENDENTLY. THE COVER TO THE SUN ROOF WAS IN PLACE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI NORTH HOUSTON (17815 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11096670 · 2018-05-18 (May 18, 2018)
PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARM BROKE COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON A MAIN STREET. IT WAS IN OPERATION AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11096670 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 ↗