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2012 Audi A7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

20 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

30 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT'S SON NOTICED A FUEL AND BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CAME OUT TO INSP…

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TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT'S SON NOTICED A FUEL AND BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11089034

56,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. AFTER DRIVING, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT A STORE, A PASSERBY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AS FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. AFTER DRIVING, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT A STORE, A PASSERBY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AS FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS NOTICED THE FIRE AND ONE OF THE OFFICERS NOTIFIED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHOM EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL ERROR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY GERALD JONES AUDI (4022 WASHINGTON RD, MARTINEZ, GA 30907, (706) 760-2462). THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V781000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FACILITY. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #11081028

35,000 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WHICH WOULD NOT GO OUT IS BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH EVEN THE DEALERSHIP THINKS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY TOLD THAT TO AUDI) TO FIX THIS, AND ASSURE THAT MY AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY, THEY WANT OVER 18 THOUSAND DOLLARS. AUDI HAS DISCLAIMED A…

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I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WHICH WOULD NOT GO OUT IS BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH EVEN THE DEALERSHIP THINKS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY TOLD THAT TO AUDI) TO FIX THIS, AND ASSURE THAT MY AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY, THEY WANT OVER 18 THOUSAND DOLLARS. AUDI HAS DISCLAIMED ANY LIABILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE ITS AN AIRBAG ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11030207

128,941 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED RANDOMLY. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND POWER EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESET THE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED RANDOMLY. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND POWER EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESET THE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD A RECALL AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SERVICED BY A DEALER. THE DEALER (AUDI CONSHOHOCKEN, 610-272-9200) AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN THREE TIMES WITHIN WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,941.

NHTSA ODI #11015046

95,000 miles · May 4, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE "COOLANT VALVE LEAKED INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND SHORTED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. MAY HAVE CAUSE AN UNEXPECTED STALL OF THE VEHICLE."

NHTSA ODI #10983509

80,000 miles · Mar 22, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V823000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ...UPDATED 05/03/17 *BF *AS

NHTSA ODI #10967755

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHEN THE IGNITION IN THIS CAR IS TURNED OFF, IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN THE PARK POSITION. YOU CAN TURN THE CAR OFF IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME ON A ROUTINE BASIS AND IN TWO INSTANCES THE CAR HAS ROLLED BACKWARD WHILE IN GEAR. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED BY THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE BECAME A KNOWN…

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WHEN THE IGNITION IN THIS CAR IS TURNED OFF, IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN THE PARK POSITION. YOU CAN TURN THE CAR OFF IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME ON A ROUTINE BASIS AND IN TWO INSTANCES THE CAR HAS ROLLED BACKWARD WHILE IN GEAR. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED BY THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE BECAME A KNOWN ISSUE AND WAS MODIFIED WITH AN "EXIT ASSIST" IN THE 2013 AUDI A7. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AUDI THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE EXIT ASSIST IN THE 2012 MODEL AND NO REPAIRS ARE NECESSARY. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT AGREE AS I'VE WITNESSED HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAN BE.

NHTSA ODI #10956835

28,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Tires

2012 AUDI A7; 4 SIDEWALL "BUBBLING" BLOWOUTS IN A YEAR. BEING VERY CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE, AND NORMAL CITY DRIVING. TWO BLOWOUTS OCCURED WHEN CAR WAS IN PARK. VEHICLE DEALER MAINTAINS BLOWOUTS ARE DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617260

21,232 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Tires

OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS 3 OUT OF MY 4 CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTAC TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED "BUBBLES" IN THE SIDE WALL. WHEN THE 1ST (OR EVEN PERHAPS THE 2ND) TIRE DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO POT HOLES. IT IS SUMMER NOW AND I HAVE DRIVEN VERY LITTLE BUT THE 3RD TIRE HAS PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM. I KEEP THE TI…

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OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS 3 OUT OF MY 4 CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTAC TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED "BUBBLES" IN THE SIDE WALL. WHEN THE 1ST (OR EVEN PERHAPS THE 2ND) TIRE DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO POT HOLES. IT IS SUMMER NOW AND I HAVE DRIVEN VERY LITTLE BUT THE 3RD TIRE HAS PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM. I KEEP THE TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED. ALL OF MY TIRES ARE ROUTINELY EXAMINED PERSONALLY AND BY THE TIRE COMPANY WHEN REPLACING PREVIOUS TIRES. UPDATED 4/24/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10616972

23,537 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

OCTOBER 18, 2013. VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE ON THE AT 72 MILES PER HOUR JUST IN FRONT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. I WAS FORCED TO CROSS INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE WITH NO ACCELERATION OR POWER STEERING AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A HALT APPROXIMATELY 150 YARDS BEFORE THE …

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OCTOBER 18, 2013. VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE ON THE AT 72 MILES PER HOUR JUST IN FRONT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. I WAS FORCED TO CROSS INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE WITH NO ACCELERATION OR POWER STEERING AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A HALT APPROXIMATELY 150 YARDS BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE BEGAN AS THE RIGHT LANE WAS CLOSING. I WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MY GIRLFRIEND. THE RIGHT LANE WAS CLOSING WITH CONCRETE K RAILS ON BOTH SIDES. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED US BOTH. ONCE AT A FULL STOP AND IN PARK I SHUT THE CAR OFF. IT WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SOME TIME MAYBE 10 OR FIFTEEN MINUTES. I TRIED APPROXIMATELY A DOZEN TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD TURN ON. I DROVE THE CAR IN TO BE LOOKED IT. THE MANUFACTURER DESIGNATED SERVICE PROVIDER RETURNED THE CAR THREE DAYS LATER UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM THOUGH FAULT CODES WERE REGISTERED WHEN DIAGNOSTICS WERE CONDUCTED. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCTOBER 28, 2013. THIS TIME I WAS TRAVELING BY MYSELF IN TOWN WHEN AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE AGAIN, LOST POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO COAST, THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION INTO THE GAS STATION. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE PROVIDER. AGAIN FAULT CODES WERE REGISTERED UNDER DIAGNOSTICS. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 16 DAYS AND RETURNED IT AS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, THOUGH THEY DID REPLACE A PART AND SAID IT WAS FUNCTIONING FINE. THE THIRD HAPPENED ON NOVEMBER 17, 2013. TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES PER HOUR AGAIN THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION IDENTICAL TO THE PREVIOUS TWO INSTANCES. I MANEUVER TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE WITH NO POWER STEERING OR ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE PROVIDER HAD THE CAR FOR 29 DAYS AND RETURNED AS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. AGAIN WITH FAULT CODES REGISTERED. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIAL FATAL. IT SHOULD BE DESTROYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578872

Official recalls

5

18V370000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jun 4, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

17V781000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 6, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

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.

16V646000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 7, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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.

15V823000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Dec 8, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

15V019000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Jan 20, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.