2016 Audi A7 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Audi A7 has a complaint index of 87, ranked 3rd worst out of 16 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 15 complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash, with airbags the top problem area at 47% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 87/100
- #3 of 16 A7 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 22.5 city / 33.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Audi A7 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in a side-impact crash even though airbags on the other side deployed.
- Owners reported long waits for Takata airbag recall parts to become available at dealerships, exceeding a reasonable repair timeframe.
- Vehicles developed excessive vibration and audible noise when accelerating through a turn from a stop, tied to the front quattro drive system, around 20,000 miles.
- Fuel filler flap became stuck or intermittently unable to open, reported as a known issue on this generation.
- A gas smell was noticed near the AC/heater vents while the car sat idling, with the owner noting the vehicle was not covered under the 2019 fuel system recall.
- Windshields chipped or cracked repeatedly over a five-year span, described as overly susceptible to breakage.
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 gives the 2016 A7 a complaint index of 87, the 3rd worst of 16 model years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other A7 years.
- What are the main problems with the 2016 Audi A7?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 13,713 miles. Engine, fuel system, and steering issues follow, each at 13% of complaints.
- Does the 2016 Audi A7 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 A7: a fuel rail leak recall (19V035000), a seat structure/PODS recall (18V370000), and a head curtain airbag recall (17V293000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 A7 compare to other model years?
- The 2016 A7's complaint index of 87 is worse than most other years, though 2019 (index 100) and 2012 (index 93) rank worse. Years like 2017 (27), 2022 (0), and 2023 (7) show far fewer reported problems.
- How many complaints and crashes does NHTSA report for the 2016 Audi A7?
- NHTSA logged 15 complaints for the 2016 A7, including 1 crash and 3 injuries, with no fires or deaths reported.