Audi

A7 (C7)

2012-2018 · Midsize Coupe · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.3)
144 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
5 Crash Reports
Includes data from: A7RS7S7
View all 2 generations of the Audi A7 → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

4.0-V8-Gas

4.0L 8-cyl / 420 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.3)
60 complaints 12.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Audi

3.0L 6-cyl / 310 hp
Avoid (1.5)
77 complaints 15.4 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
18
safety systems
16
engine
15
steering
15
fuel system
10

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (18 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (16 complaints)
Engine Issues (15 complaints)
Show 4 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

4.0T

4.0L 8-cyl / 450 hp
Recommended (3.8)
3 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
electrical
2
steering
2
brakes
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)
Steering Issues (2 complaints)

Same engine used in

Audi A7 Unidentified Engine

Recommended (4.4)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

3.0-V6-Gas

3.0L 6-cyl / 333 hp
Recommended (4.4)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
brakes
1
fuel system
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Audi A7 regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (61 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (20 complaints)
electrical critical
Safety Systems Issues (17 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Steering Issues (17 complaints)
steering critical
Fuel System Issues (17 complaints)
fuel_system critical

Recalls (12)

22V178000Mar 22, 2022serious
Engine & Cooling

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.

19V035000Jan 15, 2019serious
Fuel System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

18V096000Jul 1, 2018serious
Equipment

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Audi S7 and 2016-2018 RS7 vehicles. The tire information label on these vehicles incorrectly lists the combined maximum weight as 1146 lbs/520 kg, when the correct combined maximum weight is actually 992 lbs/450 kg. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

18V862000May 11, 2018serious
Electrical System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi A6 Sedans and 2015 Audi A7 vehicles. The auxiliary heater electrical connector on these vehicles may have been incorrectly inserted into the auxiliary heater, possibly resulting in increased electrical resistance.

18V370000Apr 5, 2018serious
Air Bags

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.

17V781000Jun 11, 2017serious
Fuel System

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.

17V293000Jan 4, 2017serious
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have head curtain air bags that may not deploy properly in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

16V955000Dec 28, 2016serious
Seat Belts

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

16V646000Jul 8, 2016serious
Fuel System

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.

15V019000Jan 19, 2015serious
Fuel System

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.

15V823000Aug 11, 2015serious
Air Bags

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.

13V450000Sep 22, 2013serious
Fuel System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi S6 and S7 vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines. Due to manufacturing tolerance issues, a fuel line may leak fuel.

All Generations

Alternatives in Midsize Coupe

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2012-2018 Audi A7 problems?

The 2012-2018 Audi A7 has accumulated 144 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Safety Systems. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Audi A7 engine is most reliable?

The 2012-2018 Audi A7 was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.0L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2012-2018 Audi A7 a good used car?

The 2012-2018 Audi A7 can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 144 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012-2018 Audi A7 have?

The 2012-2018 Audi A7 has 144 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2012-2018 Audi A7?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2012-2018 Audi A7 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Audi A7?

Before buying a used Audi A7, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Safety Systems, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the A7 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2012-2018 Audi A7. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 144 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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