YearToAvoid

2011 Audi Q7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

27/100

#12 most-complained of 16 Q7 years

The 2011 Audi Q7 has a Complaint Index of 27, ranking 12th among 16 model years, with a 'Good' verdict relative to other Q7 years. NHTSA lists 23 complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 crash, led by wiper-related issues.

Complaints
23
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16.5 city / 22.5 hwy

Top 2011 Audi Q7 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers7 (30%)
  2. Fuel System5 (22%)
  3. Other4 (17%)
  4. Electrical System2 (9%)
  5. Engine2 (9%)
  6. Airbags1 (4%)
  7. Brakes1 (4%)
  8. Steering1 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Wiper arms snap off at the mounting base while driving, sometimes at highway speed, leaving only one functional wiper.
  • Fuel injectors and fuel pump flanges crack or fracture, causing fuel odor and visible leaks under the hood.
  • Engine temperature gauges fluctuate and the vehicle stalls, with dealers finding the engine faulty and requiring replacement.
  • Door handle sensors and related electrical components fail across all four doors, occurring after the battery also needed replacement.
  • Interior seat back panels detach in warm weather, exposing electrical wiring underneath.
2011 Audi Q7 complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2013Sep 2016Nov 2017Dec 2018Oct 2020Jul 2023Sep 2024
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2013 to Sep 2025; peak Sep 2014 (2).

2011 Audi Q7 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V086000Feb 15, 2023Other12,100 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 18V818000Nov 19, 2018Fuel System5,987 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 16V660000Sep 13, 2016Fuel System143,214 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2011 Audi Q7 →

2011 Audi Q7 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
22.5 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,575
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Q7 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Best1329316
2011Good2723419
2012Best2029419
2013Avoid9343320

All Audi Q7 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Audi Q7 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2011 Q7 a Complaint Index of 27 with 23 complaints and 4 recalls, ranking 12th of 16 model years and rated 'Good' relative to other Q7 years.
What is the biggest problem area on the 2011 Audi Q7?
Visibility & Wipers is the top problem area, accounting for 30% of complaints (7 of 23), mostly wiper arms snapping off, with a median mileage at failure of 101,000.
Does the 2011 Audi Q7 have a fuel system recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists three fuel-system recalls affecting the 2011 Q7 involving cracked fuel pump flanges and fuel injector/rail seal replacement, plus one recall for an incorrect GAWR label.
How does the 2011 Q7 compare to other Q7 years?
The 2011 Q7's Complaint Index of 27 is much lower than 2017 (100) and 2013 (93), which are both rated 'Avoid', making 2011 a comparatively better year for the Q7.
What is the median mileage for reported failures on the 2011 Q7?
NHTSA complaint data shows an overall median mileage at failure of 90,700 for the 2011 Q7, with wiper failures reported around a median of 101,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.