The most-documented Audi A7 problems are a run of fuel leak recalls on the first generation (15V019, 16V646, 17V781, 19V035), the passenger airbag sensor recall 18V370, and turbocharger oil-strainer recall 22V178 on the S7 and RS 7. Second-generation cars have gateway-module recall 22V861, PHEV battery recall 24V898 and V6 coolant and oil leak bulletins.
CarWhere lists 11 documented A7 issues, including 8 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.
A7 generations at a glance
Audi A7 generations and the known issues listed for each
Fuel injection system can leak (recall 15V019) (2012–2013)
Safety recall
Generation:
C7 (2012–2018)
Years:
2012–2013
Powertrain:
See recall for engine applicability
Volkswagen recalled 2012–2013 A7s (with 2011–2012 S4, S5, Q7 and 2012 A6) because the fuel injection system may leak, creating a fire risk. Dealers replace the fuel rails and seals.
Symptoms
Fuel smell from the engine bay
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Engine-bay fuel hose can degrade (recall 16V646) (2012–2013)
Safety recall
Generation:
C7 (2012–2018)
Years:
2012–2013
Powertrain:
See recall for engine applicability
A fuel hose in the engine compartment of 2012–2013 A6 and A7 models may degrade and leak fuel, raising the risk of fire. Dealers replace the under-hood fuel pump and fuel hose.
Symptoms
Fuel smell from the engine bay
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Passenger airbag sensor mat can wear (recall 18V370) (2012–2018)
Safety recall
Generation:
C7 (2012–2018)
Years:
2012–2018
Powertrain:
All (basic seats)
Wear of the body-sensing mat in the front passenger seat of 2012–2018 A7, 2013–2018 S7 and 2014–2018 RS 7 with basic seats can make the occupant detection module malfunction, so the passenger airbag may not deploy properly. Dealers install a repair kit.
Symptoms
Airbag warning light
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
The turbo oil supply strainer on 2013–2017 S7 and 2014–2017 RS 7 (with S6, A8 and S8) can block and starve the turbo bearings of oil, which can break the shaft and stall the engine. Dealers replace the strainer and change the oil.
Symptoms
Turbo whine or loss of boost
Engine stall
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Audi bulletin TSB 2039995 covers a 1–3 second rattle from the timing chain drive after the first start of the day on 2011–2014 vehicles with the 3.0 TFSI, which here means the 2012–2014 A7 3.0 TFSI. Audi says the noise comes from an upper chain tensioner and does not lead to damage; the fix is improved tensioners on both banks.
Symptoms
Brief rattle from the back of the engine on the first cold start of the day
Check before buying
Listen to a true cold start
Ask whether both upper chain tensioners were replaced under TSB 2039995
Rear-seat spill can shut down the gateway module (recall 22V861) (2019–2022)
Safety recall
Generation:
C8 (2019–present)
Years:
2019–2022
Powertrain:
All
Liquid spilled in the rear seat of 2019–2022 A7, 2020–2022 S7 and 2021–2022 RS 7 can penetrate the gateway control module and shut it down, suddenly reducing engine power. Dealers install a protective cover.
Symptoms
Sudden power loss with multiple warnings after a spill
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Fuel gauge can read wrong from a sticking sender (recall 22V155) (2019–2022)
Safety recall
Generation:
C8 (2019–present)
Years:
2019–2022
Powertrain:
All
The fuel level sender on 2019–2022 A7, 2020–2022 S7 and 2021–2022 RS 7 can stick and show an inaccurate fuel level, which can lead to running out of fuel. Dealers install a new sensor.
Symptoms
Fuel gauge stuck or inaccurate
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Volkswagen recalled 2022 A7 plug-in hybrids (and 2022–2023 Q5 PHEVs) because the high-voltage battery may overheat, increasing fire risk. Dealers install diagnostic software as the final remedy, and owners may be told not to charge until the battery is replaced.
Symptoms
High-voltage system warning
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Follow any do-not-charge instruction in the owner letter until the remedy is done
Audi bulletin TSB 2070349 covers coolant loss traced to the coolant pump on V6 TFSI engines, listing 2019–2024 A7 and 2020–2024 S7. The revision notes that in some cases a P0299 underboost code is logged because coolant from the leaking pump contaminates a switch valve. Outside warranty the bulletin is informational only.
Symptoms
Coolant warning lamp
Coolant level dropping with no obvious puddle
Check-engine light, sometimes with an underboost code
Check before buying
Check the coolant reservoir level cold
Ask for records of any coolant-pump replacement
Have a pre-purchase inspection pressure-test the cooling system
Audi bulletin TSB 2053278 covers oil leaking around the cylinder head cover, injectors and valvelift actuator on 2.9 and 3.0 TFSI engines, listing 2019–2020 A7 and S7 and early-2021 cars by VIN. Audi attributes it to metal shavings left in the sealing groove during manufacture and says production processes were improved.
Symptoms
Oil loss or low-oil warning
Burning-oil smell from the engine bay
Oil residue around the valve cover or underbody
Check before buying
Look for wet oil around the top of the engine and under the car
Ask whether the cylinder head cover was resealed under TSB 2053278
Owners filed 209 complaints about the Audi A7 with NHTSA for the model years below, the most for the 2019 model year (43). The components cited most often are engine, electrical system and power train. Counts are raw filings, not rates: newer and higher-volume years naturally collect more, and a complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.
NHTSA owner complaints for the Audi A7 by model year (all US body styles and S/RS variants, de-duplicated by NHTSA complaint number), as of November 2026
Model year
Complaints
Crash or fire reported
Injury reported
Safety-critical component
2021
15
0
0
8
2020
5
0
0
3
2019
43
0
1
21
2017
7
0
1
4
2016
36
2
1
24
2015
8
0
0
7
2014
30
0
2
25
2013
35
3
0
27
2012
30
4
0
18
Most-cited components across these years: Engine (74) · Electrical system (59) · Power train (25) · Steering (22) · Fuel/propulsion system (22) · Air bags (18). A complaint can name more than one component.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints database, queried by CarWhere for every NHTSA model name filed for this nameplate (A7, A7 (WITH REAR SEAT SABS), A7 PHEV, RS 7, RS7, S7). “Safety-critical component” counts complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or death, or name the engine, power train, steering, service brakes or fuel system.
Related A7 research
This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.
Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Audi build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
The first-generation (2012–2018) A7 has several fuel leak recalls: 15V019, 16V646, 17V781 and 19V035. The S7 and RS 7 add turbo oil-strainer recall 22V178. Second-generation cars have V6 TFSI coolant pump and cylinder-head oil leak bulletins.
Does the Audi A7 have fuel leak recalls?
Yes, four on the C7: 15V019 (fuel rails, 2012–2013), 16V646 (fuel hose, 2012–2013), 17V781 (fuel line, 2012–2014) and 19V035 (fuel rails, 2016–2018). Each repair is free at an Audi dealer.
Does the Audi A7 3.0T have a timing chain rattle?
Audi bulletin TSB 2039995 covers a 1–3 second rattle at the first cold start on 2011–2014 3.0 TFSI engines. Audi says it comes from an upper chain tensioner and does not cause damage; the fix is improved tensioners.
Is there a recall on the Audi A7 plug-in hybrid?
Recall 24V898 covers 2022 A7 plug-in hybrids because the high-voltage battery may overheat. 23V842 also covers the 220/240V portable charging cable on 2021–2022 A7s, which can overheat some home outlets.
How do I check a used Audi A7 for open recalls?
Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup or ask an Audi dealer. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or ownership.
Sources
Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by AUDI AG or Audi of America. Audi, quattro, TFSI, S tronic, e-tron and the model names are trademarks of their owners.