2016 Audi A7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
85/100
#3 most-complained of 14 A7 years
The 2016 Audi A7 ranks 3rd worst of 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 85 and 15 NHTSA complaints. Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 47% of complaints, backed by 3 recalls including a head curtain airbag deployment issue.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 22.5 city / 33.5 hwy
Top 2016 Audi A7 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags7 (47%)
- Engine2 (13%)
- Fuel System2 (13%)
- Steering2 (13%)
- Electrical System1 (7%)
- Structure & Body1 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)
What owners report
- Passenger-side airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a side-impact crash despite noticeable exterior damage.
- Multiple owners reported waiting an extended time for airbag recall (17V293000) parts to become available at dealers.
- One owner reported excessive vibration and noise when starting from a stop and turning while accelerating, at 20,000 miles, which the dealer called normal quattro drive system behavior.
- Owners reported being unable to open the fuel filler flap, describing it as an intermittent issue worsened in cold weather.
- One owner reported dried coolant residue and needing repeated coolant top-ups, later diagnosed by a dealer as normal water pump weeping.
- A tire reportedly ripped from the inside out at low speed, raising concern about a possible blowout.
2016 Audi A7 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V035000Jan 16, 2019Fuel System74,881 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
- 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.
2016 Audi A7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,225
- 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.
2016 compared with other A7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Audi A7 reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2016 A7 3rd worst out of 14 model years for this model, with a Complaint Index of 85. Airbags make up 47% of its 15 complaints, making this year one to approach with caution compared to other A7 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Audi A7?
- Airbags are the top problem area, representing 47% of complaints (7 of 15), with a median failure mileage of 13,713 miles. This is backed by a recall for head curtain airbags that may not deploy properly in a crash.
- Does the 2016 Audi A7 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 A7: a fuel rail leak recall, a seat frame stress/wear recall, and a head curtain airbag deployment recall. None are listed as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Audi A7 compare to other A7 years?
- The 2016 A7 has a Complaint Index of 85, worse than 2013 (77), 2014 (69), and 2015 (54), but better than 2012 (92) and 2019 (100), which is the worst year listed.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Audi A7?
- The 2016 A7 gets 27 mpg combined (22.5 city / 33.5 highway), with an EPA-estimated annual fuel cost of $3,225.