RoadVitals

2011 Audi Q7

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.
23
Latest Sep 10, 2025
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.
4
Latest Feb 15, 2023
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.
1
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.
1
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Audi Q7, most frequently naming the visibility, fuel system and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1,043 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

  • Visibility731.8%
  • Fuel system522.7%
  • Engine29.1%
  • Electrical29.1%
  • Steering14.5%
  • Tires & wheels14.5%
  • Interior & seats14.5%
  • Brakes14.5%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

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

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; TIRES

Feb 15, 2023
12,100 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 50G5View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Nov 19, 2018
5,987 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20BJView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Sep 13, 2016
143,214 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
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 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20W9View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA11003ClosedEngineering Analysis

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Feb 7, 2011
Closed Mar 27, 2015

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 the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Sep 10, 2025

Driving on a country road with no vehicle in front of me - a loud explosion occurred and realized the front panel of the sunroof had exploded. Luckily, the screen was closed at the time and no large glass fragments fell into the occupants of the vehicle - there were five of us at the time. Arrived at a friend’s house to vacuum out the small slivers of glass pieces that fell through the screen. The outside temperature that day was approximately 80°F. The explosion sounded like gunfire and it was very scary. My [XXX] (Nephew) started crying after the incident because it was very shocking to all of us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11686487
Incident
Sep 6, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2024

The Bosch CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failed suddenly at interstate speed (65-70mph) as I was driving up a hill in 3 lanes of traffic. The car stalled immediately and lost all motive power. I had to limp across 3 lanes of traffic to get to the shoulder right away, risking collision from passing vehicles. I could provide the damaged pump for inspection if needed. It's a common failure of the CP4 design, disintegrating and pushing tiny metal shards throughout the fuel system including injectors. The CP4 has been recalled on many vehicles previously. The problem has been diagnosed by the Audi dealership and confirmed the Bosch CP4 pump failed and destroyed the entire fuel system. The car has been dealership maintained since new and had no warning signs of failure, or lights. It was running perfectly prior to this incident. Because of the location of the incident there was a 5 hour delay in roadside assistance, in which my family sat on the side of the road.

NHTSA ID
11620539
Incident
Oct 5, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Sep 1, 2024

The smell of gasoline out side on the left and the right behind driver seat. Please help me. I searched on YouTube alot of car audi brand recall to fix the issue. They said cracked and leaked the cap of filter fuel pump.

NHTSA ID
11612006
Incident
Sep 1, 2024
Visibility
Filed Oct 13, 2023

Passenger windshield wiper snapped off. Light rain and also driving at normal interstate speed.

NHTSA ID
11549884
Incident
Aug 10, 2023
Visibility
Filed Aug 21, 2023

Driving on a Saturday evening when it started raining. Wipers automatically engaged, suddenly saw passenger side blade warp then snap off and fly off the to the side of the street causing the driver behind me to swerve almost causing an accident. I pulled over immediately, to retrieve the piece to try and determine what happened. Saw that it just snapped off and flew off without any notice.

NHTSA ID
11539960
Incident
Apr 22, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic stated that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel tank, and fuel filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by the dealer. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ID
11530838
Incident
Jun 16, 2023
Mileage
114,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 20, 2022

2 separate occasions now, the passenger-side windshield wipers have broken off. This is apparently a common incident with some Audi vehicles due to poor manufacturing/design. Audi has not implemented a recall. This is a safety concern as the wipers have broken off while I was driving and could hit another vehicle!

NHTSA ID
11494284
Incident
Nov 20, 2022
Visibility
Filed Nov 22, 2020

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITH MY WIPERS ON, SET ON LOW WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER EJECTED ITSELF AND THE WIPER ARM BROKE NEAR THE BASE. TO KEEP MY WINDSHIELD FROM BEING SCRATCHED I HAD TO TURN MY WIPERS OFF ALTOGETHER FORCING ME TO DRIVE IN THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF POOR VISIBILITY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT THE ARM WAS ABOUT TO BREAK OR THE WIPER WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF, THEY DID SO VERY SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ID
11375789
Incident
Nov 21, 2020
Mileage
102,000 mi

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_2082615_1

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides inormation when the ATF pipes leak; Q7 with 0C8 gearbox.

TSB_2059335_7

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

TSB_2082323_1

ENGINE

This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

TSB_2052680_6

This Reporting Obligation requires technicains to contact the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) in cases where the airbag/seatbelt is deployed/not deployed; general accident information; and fire and overheat damage.

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 Q7 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026110
2025142053.8
2024130
2023163048.2
2022183061.2
2021699062.6
2020265058.3
2019614054.2
20181413054.0
20173177055.9
2016210
2015442042.1
2014452052.9
2013413060.2
2012294152.7
2011Viewing234154.5
2010293145.1
2009213148.4
2008333047.9
2007953047.8
2006000

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.