Most common 2012 Audi A7 problems
Share of the 30 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A7 complaints by model year
Best A7 years: 2017, 2015, 2022. Years to avoid: 2019, 2012, 2013, 2016. Compare all years →
2012 Audi A7 recalls (5)
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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).
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
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.
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.
What 2012 Audi A7 owners say
Air bags
Passenger occupant detection system (pods) recall. My vehicle's passenger occupant detection system is currently malfunctioning and does not recognize the presence of a passenger 100% of the time during all operations stationary and in motion. The passenger airbag off light remains lit 100% of the time, even when a passenger is sitting in the seat during all operations. I received a recall letter, but as of 12:04 18 aug 2018, my vehicle VIN on the NHTSA and Audi websites are no longer identifying my vehicle as a recalled vehicle, although it has the specific problem identified. Please advise, as this is a safety issue for my family that could result in increased chance of injury or loss of life.
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
Electrical system
While driving my 2012 Audi A7 on the highway, received numerous error messages without warning on the dashboard. The car began to lurch, stall, and drive erratically with limited driving and braking control. Situation was very unsafe and potentially life threatening. Audi dealership stated that a coolant migration defect occurred. The coolant pump valve failed internally and leaked coolant onto the wiring harness. The coolant traveled along the harness and damaged or destroyed multiple electrical components including the ECM, transmission control unit, and the harness / electrical connections. Audi has a history of coolant pump defects and has active recalls for this exact issue for other models. This model, the 2012 A7 should be added to that list as it is a known issue and technical service bulletins were sent to the dealers.
While driving my 2012 Audi A7 on the highway, received numerous error messages without warning on the dashboard. The car began to lurch, stall, and drive erratically with limited driving and braking control. Situation was very unsafe and potentially life threatening. Audi dealership stated that a coolant migration defect occurred. The coolant pump valve failed internally and leaked coolant onto the wiring harness. The coolant traveled along the harness and damaged or destroyed multiple electrical components including the ECM, transmission control unit, and the harness / electrical connections. Audi has a history of coolant pump defects and has active recalls for this exact issue for other models. This model, the 2012 A7 should be added to that list as it is a known issue and technical service bulletins were sent to the dealers.
Steering
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.
While driving my 2012 Audi A7 on the highway, received numerous error messages without warning on the dashboard. The car began to lurch, stall, and drive erratically with limited driving and braking control. Situation was very unsafe and potentially life threatening. Audi dealership stated that a coolant migration defect occurred. The coolant pump valve failed internally and leaked coolant onto the wiring harness. The coolant traveled along the harness and damaged or destroyed multiple electrical components including the ECM, transmission control unit, and the harness / electrical connections. Audi has a history of coolant pump defects and has active recalls for this exact issue for other models. This model, the 2012 A7 should be added to that list as it is a known issue and technical service bulletins were sent to the dealers.
2012 Audi A7 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Audi A7 a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 A7 rates avoid: 2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the A7 at the same age. It is one of the A7 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Audi A7?
The air bags — 7 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (6) and steering (6).
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A7 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2012 Audi A7, the most recent from June 4, 2018 (occupant classification). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A7?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2015 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2012, 2013 and 2016. See the full Audi A7 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Audi A7 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 94,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.