2012 Audi A7 Problems: 5 Known Issues

2012 Audi A7 Problems: 5 Known Issues | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls15 recalls

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Campaign #21V60600005/08/2021

TIRES

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

Campaign #22V03400026/01/2022

AIR BAGS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.

Campaign #21V15900010/03/2021

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

Campaign #21V29500026/04/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE:FUEL LEVEL FLOAT/SENSOR/SENDING UNIT

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.

Campaign #22V15500014/03/2022

+ 10 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Audi A7 problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 1,950+ owner reports, the 2012 Audi A7 has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Supercharger Nose Cone Bearing Wear, Thermostat Housing Coolant Leak, Supercharger Clutch and Isolator Failure (S7 3.0T). None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.

Is the Audi A7 reliable?

The 2012 Audi A7 has 5 known issues documented across 1,950+ owner reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Audi A7 problems?

Repair costs for known Audi A7 issues range from $400 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2012-2018 Audi A7 Supercharger Nose Cone Bearing Wear?

The A7 shares the C7 platform with the A6 and uses the same 3.0T supercharged V6. The supercharger nose cone front bearing degrades with age and mileage, producing an increasingly loud whine under boost. The bearing can eventually seize, causing internal supercharger damage and s… Repairs typically run $500-$2,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2012-2018 Audi A7 Thermostat Housing Coolant Leak?

The 3.0T V6 thermostat housing in the C7 A7 develops coolant leaks from the plastic housing and its O-ring seals. The housing is located at the front of the engine and cracks or warps over thermal cycling. Coolant leaks onto the serpentine belt area and can cause belt slippage or… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 2012-2018 Audi A7 Supercharger Clutch and Isolator Failure (S7 3.0T)?

The S7 with the 3.0T supercharged V6 (2012-2018) uses an electromagnetic clutch to engage the supercharger. Over time, the clutch disc wears out or the torsional isolator (damper) fails, creating a loud rattling, grinding, or "bag of marbles" sound from the front of the engine. T… Repairs typically run $1,500-$5,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2012-2023 Audi A7 Severe Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (Direct Injection)?

All A7 models with direct-injection engines (2.0T, 3.0T supercharged) suffer from severe carbon buildup on intake valves. The 3.0T CREC engine in S7 and RS7 models is particularly susceptible and will likely fail after 60,000 miles if carbon is not removed. In direct-injection en… Repairs typically run $800-$2,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2012-2015 Audi A7 2012-2015 Audi A7 Cold-Start Rattle TSB 2039995/2?

Audi TSB 2039995/2 applies to 2012-2015 A7 vehicles with the 3.0 TFSI engine when a rattle lasts about one to three seconds on the first start of the day. Audi attributes the supported sound to one or both upper timing-chain tensioners and states that this brief condition does no… Severity: low.

2012 Audi A7 Problems: 5 Known Issues

All 5 Known Issues

When Issues Typically Appear

2012-2018 Audi A7: Supercharger Nose Cone Bearing Wear#

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2012-2023 Audi A7: Severe Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (Direct Injection)#

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2012-2015 Audi A7: 2012-2015 Audi A7 Cold-Start Rattle TSB 2039995/2#

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2012-2018 Audi A7: Thermostat Housing Coolant Leak#

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2012-2018 Audi A7: Supercharger Clutch and Isolator Failure (S7 3.0T)#

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Other Audi Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Audi A7 problems?

Is the Audi A7 reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Audi A7 problems?

What is the 2012-2018 Audi A7 Supercharger Nose Cone Bearing Wear?

What is the 2012-2018 Audi A7 Thermostat Housing Coolant Leak?

What is the 2012-2018 Audi A7 Supercharger Clutch and Isolator Failure (S7 3.0T)?

What is the 2012-2023 Audi A7 Severe Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (Direct Injection)?

What is the 2012-2015 Audi A7 2012-2015 Audi A7 Cold-Start Rattle TSB 2039995/2?