2012 Audi A7 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 4th of 8 A7 years we score.

Owner complaints: 30; 2 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 23.8; 11,782 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.75×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 13; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 5
NHTSA crash rating: –

2013 A7 →

Should You Buy the 2012 Audi A7?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2012 Audi A7 is 73 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported fewer problems than for the average car of the same age. It ranks 4th of the 8 A7 years we score.

The most reported problem is the cooling system, mostly a leak (4 of 30 complaints). Owners also complain about the wiring, fuses or body control module and the engine sensors or engine computer. 13 of the 30 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 5 recalls. Audi also offers two warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine and driver assistance systems. For comparison, the 2013 scores 66.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-13-07 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 73
Fewer problems than the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
2 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Cooling system: a leak4 complaints
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure4 complaints
Engine sensors or computer: damage3 complaints

How the 2012 A7 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.80×	−15
Everyday problems	0.64×	−6
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	1.1×	−6
Score		73

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2012 A7. If it were exactly average, its 11,782 cars would draw about 2.3 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 30 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Audi A7, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 30.

Cooling system: a leak
4 complaints (13%)
A leak. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
4 complaints (13%)
A failure and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 72,000 miles.
Engine sensors or computer: damage
3 complaints (10%)
Damage and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Steering: locking up
3 complaints (10%)
Locking up and warning lights. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Transmission: a leak
3 complaints (10%)
A leak. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Transmission computer: damage
3 complaints (10%)
Damage. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Adaptive cruise control: stopped working
2 complaints (7%)
A feature that stopped working.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (7%)
A loss of power. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off
2 complaints (7%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Fire (cause not stated)
2 complaints (7%)
A fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Tires: damage
2 complaints (7%)
Damage and parts breaking or coming apart.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (7%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.

Reported Once (8)

Show the 8 problems reported once

PCV valve or crankcase breather: burning or using oil
Airbag warning light
Engine overheating
Frontal airbags failure
Fuel leak
Horn: stopped working
Noise (cause not stated)
Shifter or park: the car rolling away

How the 2012 Audi A7 Compares With Other Years

The other A7 years of the 1st generation, 2012 to 2018, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2019	Avoid	57	3.1×	74.9	6	Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive
2018	Excellent	81	0.42×	7.0	3	–
2017	Good	76	0.57×	11.4	6	Turbocharger: stalling
2016	Good	72	0.96×	27.1	5	Turbocharger: stalling
2015	Good	73	0.78×	19.2	5	Turbocharger: stalling
2014	Caution	69	1.1×	32.0	5	Turbocharger: parts breaking or coming apart
2013	Caution	66	1.4×	42.7	7	Turbocharger: stalling
2012 This year	Good	73	0.75×	23.8	5	Cooling system: a leak

See every A7 year

2012 Audi A7 Recalls

Five recalls cover the 2012 Audi A7. The most recent was issued in June 2018: “Passenger's Air Bag May Deploy Improperly.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Passenger's Air Bag May Deploy Improperly
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.
NHTSA 18V370000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 4, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Line May Leak Fuel
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 17V781000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 6, 2017. By the second quarter of 2019, 84% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Engine Compartment Fuel Hose May Degrade and Leak
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 16V646000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 7, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System May Fail
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. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
NHTSA 15V823000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 8, 2015. By the second quarter of 2017, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Injection System Fuel Leak
A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 15V019000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 20, 2015. By the second quarter of 2016, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2012 Audi A7 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has two warranty extensions for the 2012 Audi A7, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-07
Carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
The problem:
Carbon can build up in the engine's secondary air ports. Fault codes then turn on the check engine light, and the car can fail an emissions test.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the problem and, if needed, cleans the carbon out of the secondary air ports for free.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2009 to 2012 Audis with the 3.2 engine and 2009 to 2013 Audis with the 3.0T engine. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2012 A7, from its five recalls, two Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Passenger's Air Bag May Deploy Improperly NHTSA 18V370000
Fuel Line May Leak Fuel NHTSA 17V781000
Engine Compartment Fuel Hose May Degrade and Leak NHTSA 16V646000
Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System May Fail NHTSA 15V823000
Fuel Injection System Fuel Leak NHTSA 15V019000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-13-07: carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Cooling system
Wiring, fuses or body control module
Engine sensors or engine computer
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A7 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.