2013 Audi S7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
91/100
#2 most-complained of 12 S7 years
The 2013 Audi S7 ranks 2nd-worst out of 12 model years, with a Complaint Index of 91 and 16 complaints, 88% tied to the engine, mostly turbocharger oil-feed failures near 72,565 miles median. Three recalls apply, including one for the turbo oil supply strainer.
- Complaints
- 16
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 27 hwy
Top 2013 Audi S7 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine14 (88%)
- Electrical System1 (6%)
- Fuel System1 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)
What owners report
- Both turbochargers fail together, sometimes traced to a defective oil feed design that starves the bearings of oil.
- Engine develops a rough idle and stalls unexpectedly while driving in traffic.
- After a turbo failure, the vehicle cannot restart or drive normally without holding the gas pedal depressed.
- A clogged oil feed screen starves the turbos of oil, causing a compressor shaft to break and leading to catastrophic engine failure.
- One owner reported the suspension module repeatedly failing and needing readaptation.
- One owner reported an odometer discrepancy between a private sale listing and dealer service records.
2013 Audi S7 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V178000Mar 23, 2022Engine26,093 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
- 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 13V450000Sep 23, 2013Fuel System3,594 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi S6 and S7 vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines. Due to manufacturing tolerance issues, a fuel line may leak fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The safety recall is planned to begin in late October 2013. Owners may contact Audi of America at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this campaign is 20U6/L8.
2013 Audi S7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 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 S7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Audi S7 reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2013 model 2nd-worst among 12 S7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 91 and 16 complaints, 88% of them involving the engine.
- What is the main problem with the 2013 Audi S7 engine?
- Owners report turbocharger failures caused by a blocked oil supply strainer, which starves the turbo bearings of oil and can lead to complete engine failure. Median mileage at failure was 72,565.5 miles.
- Does the 2013 Audi S7 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls: one for the turbocharger oil supply strainer (engine), one for airbag/seat wear (component 18V370000), and one for a fuel line leak on 4.0L engines (13V450000).
- How does the 2013 Audi S7 compare to other years?
- The 2013 model has a Complaint Index of 91, worse than 2014 (82), 2015 (45), 2017 (73), and several later years, but slightly better than 2016 (100), which ranks worst.