The 2012 Audi Q7 has 4 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (11 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints29filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 23V086000 · Feb 15, 2023 · 12,100 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Equipment › Other › Labels; Tires
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 18V818000 · Nov 19, 2018 · 5,987 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
NHTSA recall 15V019000 · Jan 20, 2015 · 26,008 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2012 Audi Q7 SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
18.5%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Q7 Diesel
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Diesel
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Q7
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Fuel/propulsion system
11
0
0
0
81,500 mi
Engine
8
0
0
0
86,000 mi
Steering
4
0
0
0
72,164 mi
Power train
3
0
0
0
100,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
3
0
0
0
80,000 mi
Unknown or other
3
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Vacuum
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
1
1
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 5, 2025Suspension On or December 5th, 2025 (4 days after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a sudden and severe steering system failure while driving. When turning the steering wheel (even slightly), the vehicle produced a loud buzzing/grinding noise and the steering effort increased significantly, creating an immediate safety hazard. Because the steering issue worsened quickly and made the vehicle difficult to control, I stopped driving and brought the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership for inspection. The Audi dealership confirmed the steering failure was caused by a major power steering system defect, including active power steering fluid leakage from the steering rack area consistent…
Feb 10, 2025Engine There have been continuous indicators by way of the check engine light repeatedly appearing on my vehicle's dash for a number of years. A different determination was always discovered each time I took my vehicle to the only Audi Certified Dealership in my area. Most recently, I have been told that my vehicle now requires a Fuel System Replacement, High Pressure Fuel Pump, All Components in Fuel Tank, Fuel Rails, Injectors, All Rubber Fuel Lines for a cost of $16,830.50. Coincidentally, I received information by mail from the manufacturer (Audi), indicating there was a Safety Recall 20W9--Fuel Pump Flange for this exact same issue, and that my vehicle had been identified amongst the other…
Feb 1, 2025 · 101,000 milesFuel system, gasoline The contact owns a 2012 Audi Q7. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal odor inside the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel system were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
Jan 8, 2025Unknown or other On November 2, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board informed Volkswagen Group companies that my Model Year 2012 3.0L Turbo Diesel Injection (TDI) vehicle did not comply with Federal and California emissions standards. In the approved emissions modification, Audi Lynbrook claims to have removed the software that reduced the effectiveness of my TDI's emission control system and to have installed new emission control software designed to function effectively in all normal driving conditions. NOTE: this "fix" that was devised to meet emission standards was never actually tested for "vehicle reliability, durability, performance, drivability or other…
Sep 1, 2023Engine Since I bought my vehicle it has been burning oil I am adding oil every two to three days because it burns it and the smells burnt and the light comes on I have to add 3 oil bottles every two to three days It smells burnt and I cannot drive for long periods of times because I am scared something can happen. I have a 2012 audi q7.
Feb 17, 2021 · 132,000 miles · crashStructure › Body HELLO! I HAVE AN 2012 AUDI Q7 AND MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AT 50 MPH IMPACT. IT'S A TOTAL LOSS. DO I HAVE GROUNDS FOR A LAWSUIT?
Oct 2, 2020 · 91,000 milesEngine VEHICLE HAS NOT EVEN REACH 92K MILES AND THE WATERPUMP IS A ALREADY FAILING. AUDI THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE BUT THE REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THEY ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO REPLACE WITH NEW UNIT. I UNDERSTAND AUDI SPECIFICALLY MADE A "WEEP" HOLE TO WARN THE OWNER BEFORE THE WHOLE UNIT FAILS. THIS CAUSES COOLANT TO LEAK WHICH EVENTUALLY GIVES YOU THE LOW COOLANT LEVEL WARNING ON THE DASH. THIS IS TO PREVENT THE BEARING INSIDE THE WATERPUMP TO COMPLETELY FAIL CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT THUS CAUSING SPECS OF METAL INSIDE YOUR COOLANT SYSTEMS. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS FAILING EARLIER THAN ANTICIPATED CONSIDERING VEHICLE HAS NOT EVEN REACH THE 100K MILES.
Sep 30, 2020 · 91,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 2012 AUDI Q7 3.0T S LINE PRESTIGE, 91K MILES! STARTED AS SMALL GASOLINE SMELL BECOMING STRONGER THROUGHOUT THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. SMELLED REALLY STRONG AROUND REAR LEFT DOOR AREA AND INSIDE CABIN. INVESTIGATED FUEL LEAK AND NOTICE UNDERNEATH THE SUV, FUEL DRIPPING DOWN THE SIDE OF ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANKS. DISCONNECT BATTERY, REMOVE REAR SEAT TO ACCESS FUEL PUMP PANEL ON THE FLOOR, DISCOVERED LOTS OF FUEL LEAK NEAR PUMP AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING ALREADY HAD "AUDI'S QUICK FIX" (PROTECTIVE FILM) COVERING THE AREA BUT IT WAS STILL LEAKING. NOT TO MENTION THE PUMP'S ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WAS SOAKED IN THE FUEL THAT HAD THE FUEL PUDDLE! THIS ISSUE SHOULD…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA11003 · opened Feb 7, 2011 · closed Mar 27, 2015High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is…