2012 Audi Q7 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Audi Q7 has 29 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Q7 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Labels, Fuel pump, and Fuel rail.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (11 of 29), then Engine (8) and Steering (4). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Q7 has 43 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Audi Q7. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (4)

Recall Labels 2023-02-15 · NHTSA campaign 23V086000

Summary 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."

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.

Recall Fuel pump 2018-11-19 · NHTSA campaign 18V818000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Fuel pump 2016-09-13 · NHTSA campaign 16V660000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall gasoline fuel system, fuel injection, fuel rail 2015-01-20 · NHTSA campaign 15V019000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (29 total)

Fuel and propulsion system

Engine

Steering

Powertrain

Visibility and wipers

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Electrical system

Exterior lighting

Fuel system, gasoline

Hydraulic brakes

Seat belts

Service brakes

Structure

Suspension

Visibility

Wheels

Show 8 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"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…"
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes · filed 2026-01-18
"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…"
Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2025-03-04
"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…"
Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-03-04
"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…"
Unknown or other · filed 2025-01-24
"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…"
Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2024-02-20

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Audi Q7 SUV AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Q7	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	16	21	18 MPG	$4450
Q7	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	24	20 MPG	$4700

Specs and fitment

4L generation, 2012–2015

Body styles SUV

Oil 0W-20 full synthetic (common US fills; confirm by engine) , 5 qt capacity

Tire size 255/55R18 to 295/35R21 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 17V-298 covers certain 2013-2017 Audi Q7 gasoline vehicles (with Q5 in the same campaign): the fuel-pump flange may crack and leak fuel; dealers replace cracked flanges or apply protective film. Campaign 23V-086 covers certain 2009-2015 Q7 vehicles where the Gross Axle Weight Rating on the certification label is incorrect (FMVSS 110 / Part 567); dealers install an overlay label with the correct rear GAWR. Shared unit counts apply when other Audi models are listed.

Compare

Next year 2013 Audi Q7 See every Audi Q7 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Audi Q7 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Audi Q7?

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (11 of 29), then Engine (8) and Steering (4). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Is the 2012 Audi Q7 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Q7 has 43 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Audi Q7 been recalled?

The 2012 Audi Q7 has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Audi Q7?

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2012 Audi Q7 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Audi Q7 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Audi Q7 is 19 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2018 Audi Q7?

4M generation (2017-on).

What oil does a recent Audi Q7 take?

US generation notes commonly list 0W-20 full synthetic; confirm the Audi/VW oil standard for your engine in the manual.

What tire sizes does an Audi Q7 use?

4M US fits commonly span about 255/60R18 to 285/45R20 depending on trim.