2011 Audi Q7 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2011 Audi Q7 has a Complaint Index of 39, ranking 12th of 19 model years, and earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other Q7 years. Its top issue is Visibility & Wipers (7 complaints, 30% share), with fuel system problems close behind.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 39/100
- #12 of 19 Q7 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2011 Audi Q7 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers7 (30%)
- Fuel System5 (22%)
- Other4 (17%)
- Electrical System2 (9%)
- Engine2 (9%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Steering1 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Wiper arms snap off at the mounting base during highway driving or in rain, sometimes leaving only the driver-side wiper functional.
- The passenger wiper arm has broken and fallen off multiple times during high-speed wiper operation.
- Fuel injectors have fractured, causing a fuel odor and visible fuel on engine components.
- Engines have stalled after the temperature gauge fluctuated erratically at highway speed, with dealers finding the engine needed replacement.
- Door handle sensors and related electrical components have failed repeatedly, sometimes affecting all four handles.
- A fuel pump recall repair using a rubber band fix reportedly degraded and leaked gasoline, causing a fuel smell inside the vehicle.
2011 Audi Q7 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Audi Q7 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2011 Q7 has a Complaint Index of 39 and ranks 12th out of 19 model years, giving it a 'Good' verdict compared to other Q7 years. It has fewer complaints and recalls than several later years.
- What problems does the 2011 Audi Q7 have?
- The top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, making up 30% of complaints, mostly wiper arms breaking. Fuel System issues account for 22% of complaints, including fuel injector and fuel pump flange problems.
- Does the 2011 Audi Q7 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Q7, three involving the Fuel System (fuel pump flange cracking and fuel rail/seal replacement) and one involving an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating label. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Audi Q7 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2025 carry 'Avoid' verdicts with Complaint Index values of 94, 100, 83, 89, and 78. The 2011 model year is not one of the years to avoid.
- At what mileage do 2011 Audi Q7 problems tend to appear?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported complaints is 90,700 miles. Visibility & Wipers complaints show a median of 101,000 miles, while Fuel System complaints show a median of 114,000 miles.