Audi S7 Best and Worst Years (2013–2025)
The Audi S7 years to avoid are 2013, 2014, and 2016, all driven mainly by engine and turbo-related complaints, with complaint indexes of 91, 82, and 100 respectively. 2017 warrants caution. No model year is flagged as best, but complaint volume drops sharply from 2018 onward.
- Model years
- 12
- 2013–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 57
- Recall campaigns
- 14
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Engine
S7 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Audi S7 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Avoid | 91 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 82 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 73 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 18 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 55 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 64 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | 22 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 22 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 22 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 22 | — |
S7 years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Audi S7 Index 100 · 15 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2016 S7 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, and ranks worst overall. Engine issues make up 73% of complaints, with a median failure mileage around 47,671 miles, and one fire was reported. Owners describe biturbo failures cutting engine power at highway speed without warning, transmission malfunction warnings with lost reverse gear, and jerky shifting problems appearing around 40,000 miles. Two recalls apply, including the turbocharger oil strainer defect and the airbag seat-frame recall.
2013 Audi S7 Index 91 · 16 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 S7 carries a complaint index of 91 and ranks second-worst of all years. Engine problems make up 88% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage around 72,565 miles. Owners describe turbocharger failures, rough idling, and stalling in traffic that made the car hard to control. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year, including a turbocharger oil supply strainer issue that can block oil flow and wear bearings, plus a fuel line leak recall tied to the 4.0L engine and an airbag seat-frame recall.
2014 Audi S7 Index 82 · 14 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2014 S7 shows a complaint index of 82, ranking third-worst overall. Engine complaints account for 57% of reports, with a median failure mileage near 70,500 miles. Owners describe turbo wheel failures causing sudden stalls, power loss while merging onto highways, and adaptive cruise control or braking assist features cutting in and out unexpectedly. Four recalls apply to this year, covering the same turbocharger oil strainer defect, an airbag seat-frame issue, and an incorrect tire information label.
Most common Audi S7 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine38 (67%)
- Electrical System12 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (9%)
- Fuel System5 (9%)
- Steering4 (7%)
- Lane Departure3 (5%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Other1 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Audi S7 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint data flags 2013, 2014, and 2016 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 91, 82, and 100. Engine and turbocharger problems dominate complaints in all three years.
- What is the worst Audi S7 model year based on complaints?
- The 2016 S7 has the highest complaint index at 100 and ranks worst of all years covered, with engine issues making up 73% of its complaints.
- Is the 2017 Audi S7 reliable?
- The 2017 S7 is marked Caution, with a complaint index of 73 and electrical system issues as the top reported problem area.
- Are there turbo recalls on the Audi S7?
- Yes. A recall covering 2013-2017 S7 and related models addresses a blocked turbocharger oil supply strainer that can wear bearings from lack of lubrication.
- Is there a best Audi S7 year to buy?
- No year is marked Best in this dataset. Complaint counts drop to zero for 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, suggesting fewer reported problems in those years.