AUDI Q7 · model year

2011 AUDI Q7

26 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011AUDIQ7 carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 Q7 is visibility/wiper with 7 filings, followed by unknown or other (4) and fuel/propulsion system (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 Q7. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

26
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY/WIPER7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
AIR BAGS1
WHEELS1
TIRES1
SEATS1
SERVICE BRAKES1
STEERING1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1

Recalls (4)

15V01900020/01/2015

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.

18V81800019/11/2018

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement re

23V08600015/02/2023

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2009-2015 Q7 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehic

16V66000013/09/2016

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Recent Complaints

20250910UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Driving on a country road with no vehicle in front of me - a loud explosion occurred and realized the front panel of the sunroof had exploded. Luckily, the screen was closed at the time and no large glass fragments fell into the occupants of the vehicle - there were five of us at the time. Arrived at a friend’s house to vacuum out the small slivers of glass pieces that fell through the screen. The outside temperature that day was approximately 80°F. The explosion sounded like gunfire and it was very scary. My [XXX] (Nephew) started crying after the incident because it was very shocking to all of us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20241018FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The Bosch CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failed suddenly at interstate speed (65-70mph) as I was driving up a hill in 3 lanes of traffic. The car stalled immediately and lost all motive power. I had to limp across 3 lanes of traffic to get to the shoulder right away, risking collision from passing vehicles. I could provide the damaged pump for inspection if needed. It's a common failure of the CP4 design, disintegrating and pushing tiny metal shards throughout the fuel system including injectors. The CP4 has been recalled on many vehicles previously. The problem has been diagnosed by the Audi dealership and confirmed the Bosch CP4 pump failed and destroyed the entire fuel system. The car has been dealership maintained since new and had no warning signs of failure, or lights. It was running perfectly prior to this incident. Because of the location of the incident there was a 5 hour delay in roadside assistance, in which my family sat on the side of the road.

20240901FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The smell of gasoline out side on the left and the right behind driver seat. Please help me. I searched on YouTube alot of car audi brand recall to fix the issue. They said cracked and leaked the cap of filter fuel pump.

20231013VISIBILITY/WIPER

Passenger windshield wiper snapped off. Light rain and also driving at normal interstate speed.

20230821VISIBILITY/WIPER

Driving on a Saturday evening when it started raining. Wipers automatically engaged, suddenly saw passenger side blade warp then snap off and fly off the to the side of the street causing the driver behind me to swerve almost causing an accident. I pulled over immediately, to retrieve the piece to try and determine what happened. Saw that it just snapped off and flew off without any notice.

20230707FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2011 Audi Q7. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic stated that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel tank, and fuel filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by the dealer. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 114,000.

Mileage: 114,000

20221120VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 separate occasions now, the passenger-side windshield wipers have broken off. This is apparently a common incident with some Audi vehicles due to poor manufacturing/design. Audi has not implemented a recall. This is a safety concern as the wipers have broken off while I was driving and could hit another vehicle!

20201122VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITH MY WIPERS ON, SET ON LOW WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER EJECTED ITSELF AND THE WIPER ARM BROKE NEAR THE BASE. TO KEEP MY WINDSHIELD FROM BEING SCRATCHED I HAD TO TURN MY WIPERS OFF ALTOGETHER FORCING ME TO DRIVE IN THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF POOR VISIBILITY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT THE ARM WAS ABOUT TO BREAK OR THE WIPER WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF, THEY DID SO VERY SUDDENLY.

Mileage: 102,000

20201002SERVICE BRAKES

TODAY I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND FROM MY BRAKES AND IT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. AND MY STEERING IS ALSO GOT HARDENED A BIT. IS THERE A RECALL CAMPAIN FOR MY 2011 Q7 CAR FOR BRAKE AND STEERING ISSUE? I'VE FOUND OUT THAT 2012 2013 AND 2017 MODELS HAD RECALLS.

Mileage: 37,000

20201002STEERING

TODAY I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND FROM MY BRAKES AND IT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. AND MY STEERING IS ALSO GOT HARDENED A BIT. IS THERE A RECALL CAMPAIN FOR MY 2011 Q7 CAR FOR BRAKE AND STEERING ISSUE? I'VE FOUND OUT THAT 2012 2013 AND 2017 MODELS HAD RECALLS.

Mileage: 37,000

20200909SEATS

SEAT BACK PANEL FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS CAME OFF DUE SUMMER TEMPERATURE. NOW ELECTRICAL PANELS ARE EXPOSED IF KIDS JUST PULL OFF THE BACK PANEL.

20200909UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AFTER STARTING ENGINE, AROUND 20 SECS WARNING COMES THAT RIGHT REAR BRAKE NOT WORKING, RIGHT REAR PARKING LIGHT NOT WORKING. BUT THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH BRAKE LIGHTS OR PARKING LIGHTS. PHYSICAL INSPECTION SHOWS IT WORKS JUST FINE.

20190428VISIBILITY/WIPER

PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARM HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES. ARM AND BLADE FALL OFF WHEN THE WIPERS ARE OPERATING IN HIGH SPEED.

Mileage: 35,000

20181222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A NEW AUDI Q7 S-LINE IN 2011. MULTIPLE REPAIRS AND RECALLS DURING AND AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD. ELECTRICAL IS PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC. CHANGED FIRST SENSOR DOOR HANDLE IN 2014, UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, WITH JUST OVER 70,000, ALL FOUR HANDLES FAILED, HAD TO REPLACE NEW BATTERY AND ALL FOUR HANDLES, TOTAL COST OVER $2,500. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND IF YOU SEARCH YOU'LL FIND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, SO I CALLED AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS DEALER-MAINTAINED AND REPAIRED, WITH ALL RECORDS, BUT THEY'VE BEEN "RESEARCHING MY INQUIRY" FOR OVER A MONTH NOW WITH NO DECISION. NOT WHAT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED OF A "PREMIUM" CAR BRAND. RECOMMEND THEY ISSUE A TSB

Mileage: 70,000

20180807FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP RECALL RUBBER BAND FIX IS INADEQUATE. MY MODEL GOT REPAIRED LAST YEAR FOR THE RECALL. THIS REPAIR IS INADEQUATE AND PUT MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AT RISK. THE GASOLINE MELTED THE RUBBER BAND AND LEAK. WE STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE INSIDE OUR VEHICLE AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE.

Mileage: 53,000

20180712UNKNOWN OR OTHER

POSSIBLE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE: I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 70 MPH WHEN THERE WAS CLICK SOUND ACCOMPANIED BY LOSS OF POWER, BRAKES DIDN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY, STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASING HARD TO MANEUVER. I WAS ABLE TO BRING TO A STOP BY THE SHOULDER. I NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD GOT TURNED OFF. I TURNED THE IGNITION AND THE CAR STARTING WORKING AGAIN. VERY SCARY!

Mileage: 100,000

20171113VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE WIPER ARM BROKE OFF FROM THE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY AT THE BASE. CONDITIONS WERE MEDIUM RAIN. TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES (F). DRIVING AT LEGAL HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH. THERE WAS NO OBJECT COLLISION. IT SIMPLY SNAPPED, LEAVING ONLY THE DRIVER WIPER FUNCTIONAL.

Mileage: 105,000

20171030VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE HAS BEEN A LOT OF INCIDENT THAT AN AUDI Q7 RIGHT WIPER BLADE CAN SNAPPED OFF AND CAN HIT ANOTHER CAR OF PERSON WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING LAST NIGHT AND LUCKILY SLOWED DOWN ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PASSENGER WIPER ARM JUST SNAPPED IN HALF. IF I WAS DRIVING FASTER AT THAT TIME, THAT COULD HAVE WENT FLYING AND HIT ANOTHER CAR BEHIND ME. THE WIPER ARM IS METAL AND THE END WHERE IT SNAPPED IS SHARP. WHEN I SEARCH THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND AUDI IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT FIRST. FORUM THAT I FOUND OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. HTTPS://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/FORUMS/Q7-DISCUSSION-112/PASSENGER-SIDE-WIPER-ARM-BROKE-COMPLETELY-OFF-2895850/

Mileage: 100,000

20170531FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q7. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL ON SEVERAL COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SPRAY DERIVED FROM A FAILED OR FRACTURED FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V019000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20160912ENGINE

THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO AUDI'S ADBLUE (NOX) SYSTEM. THE NOX SENSOR FAILED, WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THE WARNING ALERT STATES THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHIN 600 MILES. THE NOX SENSOR MUST BE REPLACE; OTHERWISE, THE CAR WILL NOT RUN DUE TO THE SOFTWARE LOCK OUT TRIGGERED BY THE SENSOR. I AM FORCED TO REPAIR THE CAR DESPITE THE FACT THE TDI ADBLUE SYSTEM NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AS ADVERTISED BY VW/AUDI. IN MY VIEW, VW/AUDI SHOULD REPLACE THE SENSOR OR VW/AUDI SHOULD OFFER A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY COST RELATED TO THE TDI ADBLUE SYSTEM THAT OCCURRED WHILE THE COURT CASE IS PENDING.

Mileage: 110,000

Compare 2011AUDIQ7 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 AUDI Q7 have?
The 2011 AUDI Q7 has 26 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 AUDI Q7?
The 2011 AUDI Q7 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 AUDI Q7?
Yes, the 2011 AUDI Q7 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 AUDI Q7?
The most-complained component for the 2011 AUDI Q7 is VISIBILITY/WIPER with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 AUDI Q7 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 AUDI Q7 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.