YearToAvoid

2013 Audi A7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

77/100

#4 most-complained of 14 A7 years

The 2013 Audi A7 ranks 4th worst of 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 77 and 19 NHTSA complaints, most tied to the Electrical System (7 complaints, 37%). NHTSA lists 5 recalls, including three separate fuel system campaigns.

Complaints
19
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 28 hwy

Top 2013 Audi A7 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System7 (37%)
  2. Engine5 (26%)
  3. Other5 (26%)
  4. Steering4 (21%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain3 (16%)
  6. Airbags2 (11%)
  7. Brakes2 (11%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (11%)
  9. Fuel System1 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report unintended forward jerking or lurching while stopped with the brake pressed, feeling like a rear-end collision.
  • Electrical faults trigger unexpected shutdowns while braking to a stop, including one case where the engine cut off and steering locked, leading to a low-speed crash.
  • A fuel-related warning message appeared shortly before a fire broke out in one vehicle, at a median mileage of 102,000 for fuel system complaints.
  • Owners describe sidewall tire failures with sudden air loss shortly after a low-air sensor alert, at low mileage.
  • Some owners report the transmission cooling valve leaking coolant into an electrical connector, triggering a malfunction indicator light.
  • Steering assist has failed on startup, with a dashboard warning stating the steering is defective and not to drive.
2013 Audi A7 complaints: complaints filed per month6Aug 2013Oct 2017Dec 2018Dec 2019May 2021Apr 2024
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2013 to May 2025; peak Oct 2014 (6).

2013 Audi A7 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2013 Audi A7 →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid9230522
2013Avoid7719521
2014Caution6911225
2015Caution545325

All Audi A7 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Audi A7 a bad year?
Among 14 model years of the A7, 2013 ranks 4th worst with a Complaint Index of 77 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other A7 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A7?
NHTSA data shows the Electrical System is the top problem area with 7 complaints (37% share), followed by Engine (5 complaints, 26%) and Steering (4 complaints, 21%).
Does the 2013 Audi A7 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Audi A7, covering airbags and three separate fuel system issues, including a fuel line compression point and a degrading fuel hose.
How does the 2013 A7 compare to other years?
The 2012 A7 has a higher Complaint Index of 92, while 2014 and 2015 score lower at 69 and 54, making 2013 worse than those two but better than 2012 and 2019 (100).
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Audi A7?
EPA rates the 2013 Audi A7 at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.