2012 Audi Q7 Owner Complaints

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 with internal seal failure, and the power steering pump being faulty due to fluid loss. The dealership advised replacement of the power steering rack and pump and stated the vehicle was unsafe to test drive due to its condition. During the same inspection, the Audi dealership also identified additional serious safety-related defects, including a brake system condition where the brake pedal slowly sinks toward the floor when pressure is applied (indicating a braking system performance failure requiring brake fluid exchange and further diagnosis if unresolved). The inspection also documented multiple additional mechanical and safety concerns requiring extensive repairs, including suspension and drivetrain defects and other conditions indicating the vehicle was not roadworthy as sold. The vehicle remains available for inspection. This incident involved a sudden loss of steering assist and braking abnormalities that could lead to loss of control, crash risk, and injury to the driver, passengers, and other motorists.

NHTSA ID

11711746

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

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 reported 143,214 vehicles, as affected. This information was dated October 6, 2016. I immediately contacted my local Audi dealership to schedule an appointment to discuss next step options to resolve this recall issue, and was told then by my assigned Service Technician that the parts were not available at that time to render repairs, but I would be contacted when to bring my vehicle back in. Subsequently, I don't recall ever having that particular issue get resolved because a plethora of other issues related the countless times the check engine light regularly appeared became priority. Now I'm eing told that the exact recall issue I was notified about years ago is the latest identified problem and totally my "financial responsibility", because it's not being covered under warranty. This is as much of a safety issue now as it was then, but never got directly addressed or settled. Thankfully due to my awareness by being the regular, primary driver of my vehicle, I have been diligent in reporting check engine light ndicators, along with any other mechanical light issues each time they've appeared, and there have been no incidents or accidents posing a major threat to my safety. Of course, I wish to keep it this way when operating any vehicle on the roads I travel.

NHTSA ID

11646383

Incident

Feb 10, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11646234

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Mileage

101,000 mi

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 driving characteristics", and by their own account would consume 40% more DEF [XXX], meaning it's stressing the emissions system 40% more than designed. Since the TDI Modification my 2012 Audi Q7 TDI is having constant emissions system faults with 200 mile shutdown ransomware programming, and repeated replacement of the same components. It has rendered the vehicle as unreliable and now unusable unless I keep paying for Audi's "fix". My vehicle had no such issues prior to the TDI modification and received all regularly scheduled maintenance at Audi Lynbrook. I have compiled all my service records including the TDI Modification (7/26/18) then 9 emissions system failures (XXX). Currently, Audi Lynbrook states that again emissions component replacement is needed, a part (rear nox sensor G687) that was replaced 4/10/2023 just 20 months for the second time since 11/12/2020. This failure to deliver a reliably working vehicle has already cost me considerably, so Audi has disabled my car with shutdown programming, taken it hostage needing proprietary Audi service, and are now demanding ransom to make it temporarily usable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11638376

Incident

Jan 8, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11572987

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

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?

NHTSA ID

11397065

Incident

Feb 17, 2021

Mileage

132,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11364444

Incident

Oct 2, 2020

Mileage

91,000 mi

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 HAVE BEEN FOUND WHEN I HAD A RECENT SAFETY RECALL CODE 20W9 DONE AT AN AUDI DEALERSHIP JUST A COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR. IN ORDER TO FIX THE LEAKING ISSUE, I HAD TO BUY A NEW FUEL FILTER W/ FLANGE, "PROTECTIVE FILM", AND A SOME SEAL RING.

NHTSA ID

11364394

Incident

Sep 30, 2020

Mileage

91,000 mi

FUEL PUMP LEAKED CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY

NHTSA ID

11354305

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

83,000 mi

RECALL 20W9 WAS COMPLETED ABOUT MAY 2018. NO LEAKING OR CRACKS WERE FOUND. BUTYL TAPE WAS PLACED OVER FLANGE TO "PREVENT" FUTURE LEAKS. AUGUST 2020, FUEL FLANGE IS NOW LEAKING. STRONG GASOLINE SMELL FROM OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS IT IS LEAKING. REFUSE TO COVER COST OF REPLACEMENT. THE ORIGINAL "RECALLED" PART IS STILL IN VEHICLE. WHY WILL IT NOT BE COVERED NOW BECAUSE THE PART LASTED A FEW YEARS LONGER THAT OTHERS. IT STILL HAS FAILED AND THEIR BAND AID HAS FAILED.

NHTSA ID

11352544

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

116,000 mi

CRANK PULLEY HARD RUBBER CORE OR SO CALLED HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE AND SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF CAUSING TO LOOSE POWER STEERING AND NOT BE ABLE TO STEER. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A HIGHWAY RAMP AND THANKFULLY OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO AVOID ME DUE TO THE LOW TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327570

Incident

Jun 6, 2020

Mileage

121,000 mi

MAIN PULLEY OR SO CALLED HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE AND SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF CAUSING TO LOOSE POWER STEERING AND NOT BE ABLE TO STEER I WAS LUCKY THAT JUST MADE IT THE TURN AND I WAS ON STRAIGHT PAT AND LOW SPEED TO STOP SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11301540

Incident

Jan 24, 2020

Mileage

72,164 mi

VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES. ONLY THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE SAT IN THE BACK EVER IN THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AND THE SEATBELT IN THE BACK DRIVER SIDE IS BROKEN.

NHTSA ID

11301224

Incident

Jan 5, 2020

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY RIPPED ITSELF APART AT IDLE AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED.

NHTSA ID

11286693

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11280527

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

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 IS AN ENGINE SWAP ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $10,000

NHTSA ID

11280524

Incident

Nov 15, 2019

Mileage

81,000 mi

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 WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ID

11280019

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

142,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V660000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE NOTICE. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. AUDI VALENCIA (LOCATED AT 23923 CREEKSIDE RD, VALENCIA, CA, 91355, 888-626-6138) STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY COULD NOT BE COMPLETED AGAIN DUE TO THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11255933

Incident

Sep 12, 2019

Mileage

85,000 mi

I SMELL GAS FUMES AFTER DRIVING MY CAR AND THEN PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE. THE PART WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIX BEFORE THROUGH THE RECALL BUT IF I WAS FIXED CORRECTLY OR IN FACT FIXED AT ALL, THEN WHY IS IT HAPPENING NOW. I TOOK THE CAR IN BECAUSE I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, NOT BECAUSE I WAS EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES, BUT NOW THAT I AM THEY WON'T FIX IT. IT OBVIOUSLY WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY

NHTSA ID

11255926

Incident

Sep 13, 2019

Mileage

30 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI MARIETTA (LOCATED AT 1141 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, (678) 257-3658) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PIPE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,525.

NHTSA ID

11189715

Incident

Mar 11, 2019

Mileage

64,525 mi

LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON 3,000 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE. NOTICED OIL ON GROUND UNDER VEHICLE WHERE IT IS PARKED IN GARAGE. TOOK IT BACK TO AUDI SERVICE CENTER AND THEY WENT OVER IT AND SAID THAT IT NEEDS THE PCV (PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE) REPLACED AS THEY HAVE SEEN THIS IN THE PAST ON SIMILAR ENGINES AND IT FIXES THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT THERE IS A VALVE THAT IS NOT CLOSING ALL THE WAY AND OIL IS PASSING THROUGH AND IS BEING CONSUMED. THEY SAID THAT THE NEW PCV HAS A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER THAN THE ORIGINAL PCV AND IS MADE BETTER. IF NOT FIXED, IT COULD LEAD TO MORE EXPENSIVE MOTOR REPAIRS. I'M HAVING THE PCV REPLACED TOMORROW AT THE AUDI SERVICE CENTER FOR A COST OF $1,700 AND I HOPE THIS FIXES THE OIL CONSUMPTION. MY AUDI HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT. SINCE THEY SAID THE ORIGINAL PART HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A "NEW AND IMPROVED" PART, SHOULDN'T AUDI RECALL THE ORIGINAL PCV AND OFFER A REPLACEMENT PCV SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE? THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS OCCUR ON SIMILAR ENGINES WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE THAT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE PCV COULD STAY OPEN AND YOU LOSE ALL ENGINE OIL AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 80 MPH?

NHTSA ID

11101473

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

97,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARM BROKE COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON A MAIN STREET. IT WAS IN OPERATION AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11096670

Incident

May 17, 2018

Mileage

83,000 mi

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 FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

NHTSA ID

11057472

Incident

Dec 18, 2017

Mileage

52,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER PRESSURE LINE GOT A HOLE IN IT AND LEAKED ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS PLASTIC THAT WAS VISIBLY SEEN RUBBING AGAINST THIS METAL LINE WHICH OVER TIME WORE THE LINE DOWN SO MUCH THAT IT CREATED A HOLE ALLOWING THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR NOT WANTING TO SHIFT, DOWN-SHIT ETC WHEN I FINALLY PULLED OVER NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ONCE THE FLUID WAS JUST ABOUT OUT THE AUDI WARNING SYSTEM FINALLY NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. A TAD LATE IF YOU ASK ME. THE CAR WAS STARTING TO REV UP THE RPM'S THEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR. I HAVE HAD THE LINE REPLACED AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE I'M DUE FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO ALL OF THIS. THE MECHANIC EVEN STATED HE HAS NEVER SEEN PLASTIC WEAR THROUGH METAL NOR HAVE I.. I QUESTION WHAT PATHETICALLY WEAK METAL WAS USED ON A HIGH PRESSURE LINE THAT WOULD ALLOW PLASTIC TO EVENTUALLY RUB THROUGH IT ALL. I'VE ASKED THE SHOP TO KEEP THE LINE AND TO SNAP SOME PICTURES FOR ME, SO I'M HOPING I WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO UPLOAD THESE ONCE I RECEIVE THEM.

NHTSA ID

11013362

Incident

Jul 29, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI AUDI Q7. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, CHECKED THE DIPSTICK, AND NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL BURNED FAST AND HE HAD TO ADD TWO EXTRA QUARTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY AUDI LYNNWOOD (17315 WA-99, LYNNWOOD, WA 98037, (425) 743-7400), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,420.

NHTSA ID

11006007

Incident

Jul 16, 2017

Mileage

50,420 mi