Which year to buy
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
24 serious complaints of 29, the most about fuel system (11) and engine (8); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 4 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA11003: high-pressure fuel pump failure.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 audi q7. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v660000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact had not experienced a failure prior to receiving the notice. After the recall repair was performed, the contact noticed a fuel odor after parking the vehicle.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Sep 2019
“Since I bought my vehicle it has been burning oil I am adding oil every two to three days because it burns it and the smells burnt and the light comes on I have to add 3 oil bottles every two to three days It smells burnt and I cannot drive for long periods of times because I am scared something can happen. I have a 2012 audi q7.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2024
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage This document contains general information on the upcoming warranty extension on the high pressure fuel pump. (Dealer, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage This document contains the customer letter in regards to the warranty extension for the high-pressure fuel pump for certain 2009-2012 Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel engine vehicles. (Customer, Jun 2015)
- Extended coverage This document modifies the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual on the high pressure fuel pump limited warranty extension for certain 2009-2012 model year Audi TDI clean diesel engine vehicles. (AWA-15, Jun 2015)
- Extended coverage Audi: all audi 2011-2012 model year with an 2.0 tfsi engine will be extending the warranty on all fuel injectors. 7/23/15 *ta (PRI-A, Jul 2015)
- Extended coverage Reminders - TDI Approved Emissions Modifications, Emissions Compliant Repairs, corrections and extended warranty / warranty policy and loaner vehicle overview (EmailAUTDI2L-3L, Sep 2020)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
29 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 18–20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged; 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel · Drive: AWD
2012 Q7 trims
| Premium | Premium Plus | Prestige | S Line Prestige | quattro |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Audi reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Audi aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | — | — | Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 1 | Power train (1) | — |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 18 | Unknown or other (5) | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 3 | Unknown or other (2) | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 20–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 16 | Electrical system (3) | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 20–22 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 25 | Engine (12) | Yes |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 20–21 mpg | Not rated | 10 | 81 | Electrical system (47) | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 200–248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 272–335 hp | AWD | 18–21 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 30 | Electrical system (11) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 200–248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 272–329 hp | AWD | 21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 62 | Steering (10) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 200–252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 272–354 hp | AWD | 21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 143 | Engine (38) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 220–252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 272–333 hp | AWD | 21–22 mpg | Not rated | 7 | 319 | Exterior lighting (133) | Yes |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD | 18–22 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 44 | Engine (12) | No |
| 2014 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD | 18–22 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 45 | Fuel/propulsion system (11) | No |
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD | 18–22 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 43 | Fuel/propulsion system (13) | No |
| 2012 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD | 18–20 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 29 | Fuel/propulsion system (11) | No |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD | 18–20 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 23 | Visibility/wiper (7) | No |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel 3.6L 6-cyl 4.2L 8-cyl | AWD | 15–20 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 29 | Fuel/propulsion system (9) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Q7 2017–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | AUDI Q7 SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | AUDI SQ7 SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | AUDI Q7 SUV MHEV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | AUDI SQ7 SUV N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 16 |
| 2025 | Audi SQ7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 2 |
| 2024 | Audi SQ7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi Q7 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 16 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi SQ7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi SQ7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 3 | 5 |
| 2021 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 9 | 75 |
| 2021 | Audi SQ7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 6 | 6 |
| 2020 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 5 | 28 |
| 2020 | Audi SQ7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 1 | 2 |
| 2019 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 4 | 62 |
| 2018 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 3 | 143 |
| 2017 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 7 | 319 |
| 2015 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 44 |
| 2014 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 45 |
| 2013 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 43 |
| 2012 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 29 |
| 2011 | Audi Q7 SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 23 |
| 2010 | Audi Q7 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 29 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 22 |
| 2026 | Q7 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 20 |
| 2025 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–22 |
| 2024 | Q7 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
21 |
| 2023 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2022 | Q7 quattro | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–22 |
| 2021 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2020 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
18–21 |
| 2019 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
21 |
| 2018 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21 |
| 2017 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–22 |
| 2015 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
18–22 |
| 2014 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
18–22 |
| 2013 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
18–22 |
| 2012 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
18–20 |
| 2011 | Q7 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
18–20 |
| 2010 | Q7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L |
15–20 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.