2012 Audi Q7: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Audi Q7: 4 recalls, 29 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.

Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #15V019000 · 2015 · 26,008 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #16V660000 · 2016 · 143,214 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V818000 · 2018 · 5,987 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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 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.
Equipment, Tires Vehicle recall #23V086000 · 2023 · 12,100 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel & propulsion (11): the most common themes are leaks (4), warning light on (2).
- Engine (8): the most common themes are warning light on (3), excess oil use (2), leaks (2).
- Steering (4): the most common themes are steering problems (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Audi Q7 has 29 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 20 Q7 model years for complaints (well below the 52 average). Complaints peaked in 2019 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 83,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (23 complaints, 4 recalls), 2013 (43 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Diesel |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Audi Q7.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Audi Q7 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Audi Q7. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Audi Q7 problems?
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel & propulsion (11), engine (8), steering (4).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi Q7 get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Audi Q7 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.