2012 Audi Q7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#13 most-complained of 16 Q7 years
The 2012 Audi Q7 ranks 13th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 20 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Q7 years. NHTSA lists 29 complaints and 4 recalls, led by fuel system issues at a median 83,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 29
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2012 Audi Q7 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System12 (41%)
- Engine8 (28%)
- Brakes4 (14%)
- Steering4 (14%)
- Other3 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (10%)
- Electrical System2 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report a strong gasoline smell after shutdown, especially near the driver-side rear tire, tied to the fuel pump flange recall.
- Some drivers experienced sudden hesitation and jerky power delivery while turning, with multiple warning lights and slight steering wheel shaking, around 60,000 miles.
- Engine oil burned faster than expected between changes, requiring extra quarts to be added, with one case tied to a low oil light at 97,000 miles.
- A transmission oil cooler pressure line developed a hole from plastic rubbing against it, causing fluid loss and shifting problems at 100,000 miles.
- The panoramic sunroof reportedly shattered on its own while driving at highway speed, at around 52,000 miles.
- Brakes reportedly failed to stop the vehicle at 50 mph due to a vacuum pipe failure, at a median 64,525 miles for brake complaints.
2012 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.
2012 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
- Diesel
- 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.
2012 compared with other Q7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi Q7 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Q7 ranks 13th worst of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 20, earning a "Best" verdict compared to other Q7 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi Q7?
- NHTSA data shows Fuel System complaints lead at 41% of the total (12 of 29 complaints), followed by Engine issues at 28% and Brakes and Steering each at 14%.
- Does the 2012 Audi Q7 have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three separate fuel system recalls affecting the 2012 Q7: campaigns 15V019000, 16V660000, and 18V818000, all related to cracked fuel pump flanges or fuel injection issues.
- At what mileage do 2012 Q7 problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across complaints is 83,000 miles overall, with Fuel System issues at 83,000 miles, Engine issues at 86,000 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 100,000 miles.
- How does the 2012 Q7 compare to other Q7 years?
- The 2012 Q7 has a Complaint Index of 20, much lower than the worst year, 2017, which has an index of 100 and 319 complaints.