Audi A7 Best and Worst Years (2007–2025)
Across the Audi A7's 16 model years, NHTSA data flags 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019 as Avoid years, with 2019 topping the complaint index at 100 and 2012 close behind at 93. No A7 year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2014, 2015, and 2021 are the lowest-risk choices instead.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2016Avoid 2019Lowest-risk years:Caution 2014Caution 2015Caution 2021
- Model years
- 16
- 2007–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 138
- Recall campaigns
- 24
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 3
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
A7 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Audi A7 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | No verdict | 40 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 93 | 30 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 73 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | 25 | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 60 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 25 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 87 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 27 | — |
| 2017 | No verdict | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 47 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 23 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 53 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 67 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 11 | Engine | 26.5 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | 25.5 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 24 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 25 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 25 | — |
A7 years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Audi A7 Index 100 · 43 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2019 A7 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, driven by 43 complaints. Electrical system issues account for 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 18,500, and engine complaints show a median of only 2,400 miles, pointing to early-life problems. Six recall campaigns cover this year, including brake fluid cap labeling, rearview camera software, and lane departure warning software errors. Owners described sudden rollback at stops, unexpected hard braking with nothing ahead, and blank instrument screens while driving.
2012 Audi A7 Index 93 · 30 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2012 A7 has the second-highest complaint index in the lineup at 93, with 30 complaints. Engine problems make up a third of them, with a median failure mileage around 102,000. Owners also reported airbag and electrical issues, and steering complaints clustered near 105,000 miles. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this year, including two separate fuel hose/line campaigns tied to leak and fire risk, plus an airbag seat-wear recall shared with related Audi models. Some complaints describe engine compartment fires and unexpected acceleration events.
2016 Audi A7 Index 87 · 15 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2016 A7 carries a complaint index of 87 across 15 complaints. Airbags dominate the problem list at 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 13,713, well below other trouble areas. Three recalls apply, including a fuel rail leak campaign and two separate airbag recalls covering head curtain airbags that owners said failed to deploy or were delayed for parts. Owners also reported vibration and noise during low-speed turns and difficulty opening the fuel filler flap.
2013 Audi A7 Index 80 · 19 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2013 A7 posts a complaint index of 80 on 19 complaints. Electrical system issues lead at 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 30,000, followed by engine problems near 69,824 miles and steering complaints around 56,000 miles. Five recall campaigns apply, including fuel line and fuel hose leak fixes carried over from the 2012 model and an airbag seat recall. Owners described sudden surging or stalling while driving, unexpected shutdowns at stops, and at least one fuel-related fire.
Most common Audi A7 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System44 (32%)
- Engine41 (30%)
- Fuel System19 (14%)
- Airbags18 (13%)
- Steering18 (13%)
- Other17 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (12%)
- Brakes12 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (6%)
- Structure & Body7 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Audi A7 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint and recall data flags 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019 as Avoid years. The 2019 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2012 at 93.
- What is the best year for the Audi A7?
- No A7 year reaches a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2014, 2015, and 2021, marked Caution rather than Avoid.
- What problems does the 2019 Audi A7 have?
- The 2019 A7 shows 43 complaints, mostly electrical system issues (56%) with a median failure mileage of 18,500. It also has six recall campaigns, including brake fluid cap and camera software fixes.
- Does the Audi A7 have a lot of recalls?
- Across all 16 model years NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns and 138 total complaints for the A7, with electrical system (32%) and engine (30%) issues being the top reported problem areas.
- Is the 2012 Audi A7 reliable?
- The 2012 A7 has a complaint index of 93, the second highest of any A7 year, with engine problems affecting a third of complainants at a median mileage around 102,000.