RoadVitals

2012 Audi A7

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Oct 12, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Jun 4, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

Overview

Our database contains 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Audi A7, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and steering categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,293 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags716.3%
  • Electrical614.0%
  • Steering614.0%
  • Engine511.6%
  • Driver assistance511.6%
  • Powertrain (other)49.3%
  • Fuel system37.0%
  • Tires & wheels24.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V370000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Jun 4, 2018
139,249 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
The risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 74D5View on NHTSA.gov
17V781000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 6, 2017
48,693 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20ARView on NHTSA.gov
16V646000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 7, 2016
28,249 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 24BZView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 30
Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2022

Oil system. A quart of oil has to be added every day. Dealership says its crank case breather. Which the supercharge cause the oil to burn more. Also the antifreeze is burning more because the engine is so hot from the oil burning rapidly. Audi is aware and fails to do anything about this known issue.

NHTSA ID
11488899
Incident
Sep 14, 2021
Steering
Filed Mar 17, 2022

As I was driving with my 4 year old daughter in the vehicle, while making a left turn my vehicle steering wheel locked or seemed to lock on me with no warning, and then the "DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE" indicator appeared. Thank God I was able to safety steer into a driveway. Inspection is available upon request. The defect of the vehicle could have cause major bodily injuries to me and my daughter and anyone within a few feet of my vehicle. No warning signs appeared at all prior to this incident happening, this malfunction came without notice. Im very concerned with the manufacturing defect and issue on this and many Audi's vehicle that have this same issue and could possible be life threating not only for the driver but anyone. I still get anxiety when thinking of this incident and the panic that happen.

NHTSA ID
11457112
Incident
Mar 12, 2022
Airbags
Filed Feb 14, 2022

Passenger seat airbag light is on .

NHTSA ID
11451905
Incident
Dec 19, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 12, 2022

I have seen at least three other complaints with NHTSA on this same item all with different headings. Check engine light comes on at high speeds while highway driving. Pull Engine code and comes back as P2753 - Valve for transmission fluid cooler circuit open. Had to replace coolant control valve for transmission as coolant was leaking into solenoid. Many other reports of this same problem on NHTSA already and mechanic says it is known issue with Audi.

NHTSA ID
11447185
Incident
Jan 9, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 26, 2021
Crash reported

As I reported on June 3, I drove my car onto my office parking lot, up- hill, in the afternoon, when suddenly my car raced, without my stepping on the accelerator to make it race, crushed into the first car parked there. That car was pushed into the wheel of the neighboring car, which fortunately was a big and sturdy car. I managed to drive my car into an empty parking space. The owners of the 2 cars that had been hit came out of the office building and we exchanged information. The car that my Audi had hit was not drivable. My Audi was drivable, despite severe damage. It was towed away by CALIBER COLLISION. Never in my life of driving had I experienced a car racing, without my causing to make it race.

NHTSA ID
11422447
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jun 4, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Audi A7. The contact stated that after driving from a stop sign into a four-way intersection at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fuel had leaked from the engine compartment and was caused by a detached fuel line due to a failed fuel line coupling. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number 17V781000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ID
11419613
Incident
May 30, 2021
Mileage
63,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 3, 2021
Crash reported

The gas pedal must have been stuck, as the car raced across parking lot, into the first parked car there. that car was pushed into the next car, fortunately a big, sturdy car. and fortunately into the wheel of that next car. Also, fortunately, no people there at that time. I contacted my Audi dealer . they sent truck for pick-up by GUY TOWING LLC, tel.( 737) 333-7334. There were no warning signs before. Also, I had my car at Audi service earlier this year and paid ca. $6000.- for yearly overhaul and several repairs. To my knowledge, so far no inspection by anyone , but by the repair replace that the truck took my car to. Also, the 2 car owners of the cars hit by my car would have reported the incident to my car insurance company.

NHTSA ID
11419455
Incident
May 31, 2021
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 21, 2020

I BOUGHT A 2012 AUDI A7 PRESTIGE FROM CARVANA ONLINE IN DECEMBER 2019, FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. AT THE END OF JANUARY, I'D AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR, WHICH NEEDED IT TO GO TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. AT THE SHOP, I FOUND OUT THAT MY WHEELS WERE STAGGERED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOWERED THAN ITS ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION AND RECOMMENDATION. I CONTACTED CARVANA AND SILVERROCK, AND A CLAIM WAS INITIATED ON 02/09/2020 AT 1:58PM. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND HAVE THEM CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE. FEW MONTHS LATER, I NEEDED TO DO OIL CHANGE AND PERIODIC SERVICING AT AUDI CONCORD, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEELS OF MY VEHICLE IS A HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE SWITCHED BACK TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION. MIND YOU, WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM CARVANA, THERE WAS NEVER A DISCLOSURE OF THE WHEELS BEEN CHANGED. CARVANA CLAIMS THEY HAVE MECHANICS WHO INSPECT EVERY CAR THEY SELL AND I'M SURE IF THAT IS TRUE, THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS AND JUST DECIDED NOT TO DISCLOSE IT TO ME, SO I COULD GO ON WITH THE VEHICLE PURCHASE. AUDI HAS STATED THAT MY WHEELS COULD FALL OFF, AMONG OTHER RISKS OF DRIVING A STAGGERED WHEEL. MY A7 IS A QUATRO AND EVERYTHING IS A SET OF 4, THAT NEEDS TO MATCH. I'VE A 3-YEAR OLD SON I DRIVE AROUND IN THE BACK SEAT. I'M SURE IF I WASN'T BLACK, THEY WOULD DISCLOSE THE DANGER OF DRIVING AROUND WITH MY FAMILY IN A CAR THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF AND KILL US ALL. I'VE ALERTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY, AND THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO DO ANYTHING. THEY CLAIM I NEEDED A DIAGNOSIS FROM WHEN I FIRST REPORTED THE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH I'VE SENT THEM AND UPLOADED A FILE FROM MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT AUDI, AND THE PDF CLEARLY STATES MY CLAIM. THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT STARTED EVEN BEFORE I GOT THE CAR. WHY CAN'T IT BE SIMPLY CORRECTED BACK TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION?

NHTSA ID
11340679
Incident
Jul 21, 2020

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2028985_13

POWER TRAIN

This bulleitn procides informaiton when tehre is a transmission warning mssage in the instrument cluster; P074100 is stored in the TCM.

TSB_2074729_3

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.

TSB_2059335_7

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.

TSB_2082046_1

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information when there is a strong jolt after engine automatically starts in start-stop mode; vehicles with 0BK & 0BL Gearbox.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A7 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025010—
2024010—
2023010—
2022060—
20216110—
2020280—
2019436054.0
2018320—
2017140—
2016153045.7
2015530—
2014112049.6
2013195052.7
2012Viewing305052.0
2011000—
2010000—
2009100—
2008000—
2007200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.