KnownCarProblems2012 Audi A7 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi A7, most often about the air bags (23% of complaints, typically around 44,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about A7 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2012 Audi A7 problems
Air bags
7 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles.
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…
Received notice some time ago about recall affecting passenger airbag. Months have passed and Audi here claims still do not have parts for recall. I also earlier filed a complaint about a short in the wiring harness disabling the driver's airbag (which I now believe is a problem with the heated seats since they were…
Electrical
6 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles.
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."
Car comes equipped with automatic cruise control and auto-braking. Systems recently were disabled, and are throwing error. "0161 - video cable for image processing " unable to use cruise control, and assume that auto-braking is disabled until this is rectified.
Steering
6 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles.
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…
The contact owns a 2012 Audi A7. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact managed to maneuver the steering wheel and drive home. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred.…
Speed control
5 complaints · 17%My 2012 Audi A7 shut off as I was driving down the street. Took it to Audi memphis and they stated there was a leak in my trans coolant control value. After doing a little research I found this to be a common problem in Audi's. The repair is about 6,500 dollars.
Car comes equipped with automatic cruise control and auto-braking. Systems recently were disabled, and are throwing error. "0161 - video cable for image processing " unable to use cruise control, and assume that auto-braking is disabled until this is rectified.
Engine
5 complaints · 17%Parts named most often: cooling system.
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."
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…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 13%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…
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.
Transmission
4 complaints · 13%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."
Vehicle stalled while driving. Upon inspection by the dealership, I was informed that a coolant valve connected to the transmission control module had failed. This resulted in coolant leaking into the module and thereby damaging it. This is a known defect in a similar vehicle of the same year.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 10%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…
My 2012 Audi A7 shut off as I was driving down the street. Took it to Audi memphis and they stated there was a leak in my trans coolant control value. After doing a little research I found this to be a common problem in Audi's. The repair is about 6,500 dollars.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Audi A7 recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel rail
Risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Audi A7
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A7?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (7 complaints, typically around 44,000 miles); electrical (6 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles); steering (6 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A7 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 4, 2018 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Audi A7?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about A7 model year since 2000, with 30 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Audi A7 years
- 2012
- 2019