2013 Audi A7 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Audi A7 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst out of 16 model years, and is rated Avoid. Owners most often reported electrical system problems (37% of complaints), and NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering airbags and fuel system components.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 A7 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2013 Audi A7 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System7 (37%)
- Engine5 (26%)
- Other5 (26%)
- Steering4 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (16%)
- Airbags2 (11%)
- Brakes2 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (11%)
- Fuel System1 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles jerked or surged forward unexpectedly while stopped or braking, in some cases causing a crash.
- Electronic seat belt tensioners, navigation, and Homelink modules malfunctioned together, requiring dealer repair.
- A fuel line issue led to a fire after a 'fuel tank inoperable' dashboard message appeared.
- Sidewall tread separated on a tire shortly after a low-air sensor alert, causing sudden air loss.
- Power steering failed on startup with a dashboard warning telling the driver not to drive the vehicle.
- The auto stop-start feature reportedly caused the vehicle to lose steering and hard braking response while coasting to a stop, resulting in a low-speed collision.
2013 Audi A7 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V370000Jun 4, 2018Airbags139,249 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 17V781000Dec 6, 2017Fuel System48,693 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 16V646000Sep 7, 2016Fuel System28,249 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: 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.
2013 Audi A7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other A7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Audi A7 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 A7 has a complaint index of 80, the 4th worst of 16 model years covered, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other A7 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A7?
- Electrical system issues make up 37% of complaints, including malfunctioning safety and infotainment modules, followed by engine problems (26%) and steering problems (21%).
- Does the 2013 Audi A7 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 A7, covering airbag seat components and three separate fuel system issues including fuel line, fuel hose, and fuel rail defects.
- What is the median mileage for failures on the 2013 Audi A7?
- Across all reported problems, the median mileage at failure was 60,701 miles, though electrical failures tended to occur earlier, around 30,000 miles.
- How does the 2013 A7 compare to other years?
- The 2013 A7 (complaint index 80) ranks worse than 2014 (73), 2015 (60), and 2021 (67), but better than 2012 (93) and 2019 (100), the two worst years for the model.