2012 Audi A7 problems
The 2012 Audi A7 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as oil in the brake servo from the vacuum hoses (2012 3.0 TDI).
2012 Audi A7 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 13 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.8From 5.2 to 6.4 depending on the engine
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights8.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment9.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Audi A7
- Score: 7.0 → 6.6
- Starts to be affected by: oil in the brake servo from the vacuum hoses (2012 3.0 TDI) (rest of the car)
3.0 TDI V6 engine in the 2012 Audi A7
Names: 3.0 TDI quattro · BiTDI competition
- With caution
3.0 TDI EA896 generation 2, Euro 5 (CLAA, CLAB, CJMA, CDUC, CRCA, CKVC, CDUD; 2010-2015)
204–300 hp · CLAA, CLAB, CJMA, CDUC, CRCA, CKVC, CDUD
The EGR is much improved over generation 1 according to Audi, but the warnings about the chain, water pump and the KBA emissions software remain; check by VIN that the campaign has been done.[2][3][4][5]
- With caution
3.0 TDI EA896 twin-turbo (CGQB, CVUA, CVUB; 2011-2018)
313–326 hp · CGQB, CVUA, CVUB
Owner reports repeat injection faults on the 313 hp (3 of 13 on the Q5 and 4 of 14 on the A6 C7), although there are few cases and no official statistics.[6][7]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFailing water pump and cooling system leaksOn the 3.0 TDI the water pump can fail and, from 2010, overheat to the point of damaging the engine (the A6 C6 guide cites a service action). Owners also cite coolant leaks from hoses, the regulating valve and the cooler.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearOn the 3.0 TDI V6 the timing chain is at the gearbox end and its tensioner can lose tension: it rattles on a cold start and, if the chain stretches, the timing goes out and the engine is at risk. Replacing it means opening the engine and costs several thousand euros.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector wear (needle seat) and injection faultsGerman guides point to wear of the needle seat of the 3.0 TDI injectors: they stop closing properly, diesel drips into the cylinder and dilutes the oil. Smoke from the exhaust can be the warning, and reports on the 313 hp twin-turbo repeat injection faults.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlControl unit software with a prohibited emissions strategy (NOx and AdBlue)Germany's KBA ordered a software update for the Euro 5 and 6 3.0 TDI V6 engines from Audi, VW and Porsche: a warm-up strategy that reduced NOx only on the test bench and, on the 200 kW A6 and A7, limited AdBlue dosing. The update is free.Repair: €0
Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 engine in the 2012 Audi A7
Names: A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro
- With caution
3.0 TFSI 300/310 hp supercharged (CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA; 2010-2014)
300–310 hp · CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA
This is the production window covered by the 2015 fuel rail campaign (built between April 2011 and April 2012) and the one a workshop singles out for chain and tensioner wear (2011-2014); check that the campaign has been carried out.[9][11][12]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearA German workshop describes chain stretch and marginal tensioners in the first supercharged 3.0 TFSI engines (2011-2014), with noise on cold starts and codes P0016-P0018; other guides consider it rare in this V6. There are no reliable statistics.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFuelFuel leak at the injection rails (2015 and 2019 campaigns)Audi recalled cars with the 3.0 TFSI over possible leaks from the fuel rails: one campaign in 2015 (built between April 2011 and April 2012) and another in 2019 (low-pressure rails, built between 2014 and 2016). You notice it by a smell of petrol; the fix is to replace the rails.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingLeak at the thermostat housing and water pumpTechnical guides cite coolant leaks from the plastic thermostat housing and from the water pump of the supercharged 3.0 TFSI, and Audi also replaced the thermostat in a 2015 campaign. You notice it by falling coolant and, if ignored, by overheating.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves (direct injection)Like any direct-injection engine, the 3.0 TFSI accumulates carbon on the intake valves, because the fuel does not wash them; guides put it at around 95,000 km and it causes rough idle and loss of power. The 333 hp versions from 2014 add indirect injection.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationPCV valve failure (crankcase ventilation)The PCV valve in the 3.0 TFSI's crankcase ventilation can fail with age and mileage: parts supplier and workshop guides cite rough idle, vacuum leaks and higher oil consumption. It is a minor fault, with no campaign or published statistics.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Audi A7
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesOil in the brake servo from the vacuum hoses (2012 3.0 TDI)Audi recalled A7s built between March and December 2012 (3.0 TDI) because oil could reach the brake servo through the vacuum hoses, damage its diaphragm and reduce brake assistance.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWear of axle parts and suspensionThe TÜV report shows minor defects in the A7 C7's axle suspension and brake hoses, and fiches-auto records four suspension or damper complaints among 46 accounts.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemFlat battery preventing starting in winterAccording to an ADAC analysis cited by two German guides, the battery is the most frequent cause of breakdown on the A7 C7, especially in winter.
- Low severityFrequency: RareElectronics and infotainmentIsolated electronics and comfort faults (head-up display, fuel flap, lighting)Among the 46 fiches-auto accounts, four mention electronics faults; among 3.0 TFSI A7s, owners cite the head-up display, the fuel flap and the LED door lighting.
Buying a 2012 Audi A7?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Audi A7 reliable?
The 2012 Audi A7 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as oil in the brake servo from the vacuum hoses (2012 3.0 TDI).
Is the 2012 Audi A7 better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 7.0 in 2011 to 6.6 in 2012. Starts to be affected by: oil in the brake servo from the vacuum hoses (2012 3.0 TDI) (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Audi A7?
According to our score, the best is 2010 (7.4/10). The year with the worst score is 2012 (6.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Audi A7 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: failing water pump and cooling system leaks (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, high severity) and fuel leak at the injection rails (2015 and 2019 campaigns) (Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, high severity).
Own a 2012 Audi A7? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- VW EA897Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- VW EA896Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- 3.0 TDI: Viele Probleme, teure WartungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 January 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A5 8T (B8): Probleme, Schwachstellen & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 20 January 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Llamada a revisión de 127.000 Audi diésel por emisionescoches.com · Motoring press · published 27 January 2018 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
- Tous les problèmes sur Audi Q5 2008-2017 (322 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 9 October 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Audi A6 (2011-2018) (106 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 9 October 2026 · in French
- Audi A7Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
- Undichtigkeit im Einspritzsystem: Audi-Rückruf läuft bereitsÖAMTC · Consumer association · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi EA837: códigos de motor del 3.0 TFSIMyMotorList (base de datos de motores) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
- DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2015/031 y R/2019/099)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
- Audi A6 C7: typische Probleme und Diagnose mit ODISKfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich (blog de taller) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German