2012 Audi A7
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Hatchback 3.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Pre
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 18 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 195.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,211 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Audi A7 is a midsize car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 196 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,211 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), 8% worse than the 2012 midsize car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Hatchback 3.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Pre | 195.7 in | 75.2 in | 55.9 in | 114.6 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,211 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A7 quattro | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | -8% | $3,750 | 404 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Audi A7.
Similar 2012 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Audi A7 (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 BMW 5 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Audi A6 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Lexus LS | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Jaguar XJ | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Porsche Panamera | 25 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Lexus ES | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (5)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Jun 4, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V370000 · 139,249 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Dec 6, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V781000 · 48,693 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Sep 7, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V646000 · 28,249 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Dec 8, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V823000 · 21,074 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. 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.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · Jan 20, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V019000 · 26,008 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
Not every 2012 Audi A7 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Audi A7 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 7 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 5 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 95,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Audi A7. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other A7 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 A7 | 25 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 A7 | 25 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 A7 | 24 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 A7 | 27 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 7 | 0 |
| 2021 A7 | 29 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 11 | 8 |
| 2020 A7 | 24 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 8 | 2 |
| 2019 A7 | 25 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 6 | 43 |
| 2018 A7 | 23 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 3 |
| 2017 A7 | 24 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 1 |
| 2016 A7 | 30 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2015 A7 | 29 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 5 |
| 2014 A7 | 29 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 10 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →