2012 Audi Q7 Steering Problems

On or December 5th, 2025 (4 days after taking possession of the vehicle, I experienced a sudden and severe steering system failure while driving. When turning the steering wheel (even slightly), the vehicle produced a loud buzzing/grinding noise and the steering effort increased significantly, creating an immediate safety hazard. Because the steering issue worsened quickly and made the vehicle difficult to control, I stopped driving and brought the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership for inspection. The Audi dealership confirmed the steering failure was caused by a major power steering system defect, including active power steering fluid leakage from the steering rack area consistent with internal seal failure, and the power steering pump being faulty due to fluid loss. The dealership advised replacement of the power steering rack and pump and stated the vehicle was unsafe to test drive due to its condition. During the same inspection, the Audi dealership also identified additional serious safety-related defects, including a brake system condition where the brake pedal slowly sinks toward the floor when pressure is applied (indicating a braking system performance failure requiring brake fluid exchange and further diagnosis if unresolved). The inspection also documented multiple additional mechanical and safety concerns requiring extensive repairs, including suspension and drivetrain defects and other conditions indicating the vehicle was not roadworthy as sold. The vehicle remains available for inspection. This incident involved a sudden loss of steering assist and braking abnormalities that could lead to loss of control, crash risk, and injury to the driver, passengers, and other motorists.

CRANK PULLEY HARD RUBBER CORE OR SO CALLED HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE AND SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF CAUSING TO LOOSE POWER STEERING AND NOT BE ABLE TO STEER. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A HIGHWAY RAMP AND THANKFULLY OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO AVOID ME DUE TO THE LOW TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

MAIN PULLEY OR SO CALLED HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE AND SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF CAUSING TO LOOSE POWER STEERING AND NOT BE ABLE TO STEER I WAS LUCKY THAT JUST MADE IT THE TURN AND I WAS ON STRAIGHT PAT AND LOW SPEED TO STOP SAFELY.

PULLING OUT MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP, VEHICLE SUDDENLY HESITATED, POWER TO ENGINE WAS INTERMITTENT AND JERKY, AND ACCELERATION WAS POOR TO NONE. MANY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (STABILITY, TIRE PRESSURE, ANTI-LOCK, ETC.). STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO SHAKING SLIGHTLY (POWER STEERING MOTOR?). CONDITION CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A MILE WHILE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO HOME. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. ON INITIAL CALL TO DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD "THEY DO THAT SOMETIMES; YOU NEED TO TURN OFF/ON TO REBOOT SYSTEM". AFTER TAKING FOR SERVICE FOUR DAYS LATER NO ISSUES WERE FOUND OTHER THAN SOME "MISFIRING" CODES ON DATE OF EVENT. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A SITUATION THEY'VE SEEN AND NO SERVICE BULLETINS EXISTED ON THE BEHAVIOR. AS THE INITIAL PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF/ON IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT THE INITIAL INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS CORRECT AND THIS IS A COMPUTER CONTROL PROBLEM. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW AND NOT EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE BEFORE. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 60K MILES ON IT. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A LOSS OF POWER PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IS A VERY SERIOUS FAILURE. IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT "HAPPENS SOMETIMES AND YOU NEED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF/ON TO REBOOT THE COMPUTER", IT NEEDS ATTENTION AND NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED AS A SINGLE OCCURRENCE IS ONE TOO MANY.