2015 Audi A7 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Audi A7 has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 7th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 5 complaints, 3 recalls, and no crashes or fires tied to this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #7 of 16 A7 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2015 Audi A7 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes2 (40%)
- Airbags1 (20%)
- Engine1 (20%)
- Steering1 (20%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front brake rotors warp easily, causing steering wheel and pedal vibration at highway speed, with owners noting this began by 19,000 miles.
- Some owners report the brake pedal sinking toward the floor with delayed stopping, along with rear brakes wearing much faster than the front.
- Steering column emits a squeaking noise every time the wheel is turned, which some owners link to the Takata airbag recall.
- The passenger seat airbag sensor cycles on and off repeatedly even with an adult seated, raising doubts about deployment in a crash.
- Owners describe low oil warnings between service intervals, needing added oil, along with a loss of power or stalling tied to a timing chain tensioner problem around 90,000 miles.
2015 Audi A7 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V862000Dec 5, 2018Electrical System845 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
Risk: The extra resistance can cause the connector to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the auxiliary heater connector, replacing the auxiliary heater and connector, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 82C1.
- 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 17V293000May 1, 2017Airbags17,694 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
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."
Risk: If the head curtain airbag does not deploy properly in the event of a crash, an unbelted passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected head curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 29, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 69R2.
2015 Audi A7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,525
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Diesel
- 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.
2015 compared with other A7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Audi A7 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 A7 carries a complaint index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints (5) than most other A7 years but still has 3 open recall campaigns.
- What problems does the 2015 Audi A7 have?
- NHTSA complaints for this year point most often to brakes, with reports of warped rotors and uneven front/rear wear, at a median mileage of 19,000 miles. Owners also reported airbag sensor glitches, steering column noise, and an engine timing chain tensioner issue.
- Does the 2015 Audi A7 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 A7: an auxiliary heater electrical connector issue, a seat frame stress/wear issue affecting airbag deployment, and head curtain airbags that may not deploy properly in a crash.
- How does the 2015 A7 compare to other A7 years?
- The 2015 A7 (complaint index 60) is worse than 2007, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2020, but better than 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021, which all carry Avoid or Caution verdicts with higher complaint indexes.
- What year Audi A7 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data shows 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019 A7 model years rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 93, 80, 87, and 100 respectively, all higher than the 2015 model's index of 60.