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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-AUDI-Q7 NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2012 · Audi

Audi Q7 problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 29 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Q7?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
6 reports · fails ~92,284 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
4 reports · fails ~84,388 mi · avg $700
moderate
visibility
3 reports · fails ~71,667 mi · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 Q7's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Q7?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Q7 · visibility
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…
12/29/2017 · at 52,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11057472.0 · see visibility pattern →
2012 Q7 · engine
Over the past year, my vehicle has been consuming quarts of engine oil. During my last engine oil change, I was left to minimum oil levels after driving only 250 miles. No leaks were detected in engine by mechanics at both dealership and independent shops. The remedy recommend…
11/16/2019 · at 81,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11280524.0 · see engine pattern →
2012 Q7 · visibility
On two different occasions the passenger side windshield wiper arm has snapped off during heavy rainstorms while driving within nyc's posted speed limit on the grand central parkway of 50 MPH. The lack of visibility compromises my safety and others while operating the vehicle.
11/16/2019 · at 80,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11280527.0 · see visibility pattern →
2012 Q7 · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Audi q7. While driving the vehicle out of the garage, the contact noticed drips of oil on the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the oil line to the engine was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle…
11/14/2019 · at 142,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11280019.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 29 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2012 Audi Q7? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 18V818000 November 19, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

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.
severe NHTSA 16V660000 September 13, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

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.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Audi Q7 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Audi Q7 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2012 Audi Q7?

On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Audi Q7 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Audi Q7?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 92,284 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 92,284 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Audi Q7 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Audi Q7?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 29 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Audi/Q7. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Audi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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