YearToAvoid

2016 Audi S7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 12 S7 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2016 Audi S7 ranks worst of the 12 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and rank 1 (worst). NHTSA lists 15 complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 fire report, with engine problems making up 73% of complaints at a median mileage of 47,670.5.

Complaints
15
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
17 city / 27 hwy

Top 2016 Audi S7 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine11 (73%)
  2. Electrical System3 (20%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain3 (20%)
  4. Brakes1 (7%)
  5. Fuel System1 (7%)
  6. Other1 (7%)
  7. Steering1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of engine power at highway speed with no warning, sometimes requiring the car to coast to the shoulder.
  • Biturbo failure has caused the engine to shut off while driving, with some owners told the turbo issue is a known problem.
  • Turbochargers have failed from oil starvation, disabling the vehicle and requiring towing to a dealer.
  • Transmission problems include hard shifts or a jerk into reverse, error codes on the dashboard, and the car entering limp mode.
  • Electrical failures have left the car unable to restart after stalling in traffic, with multiple dashboard warnings appearing beforehand.
  • One owner reported losing power steering and power brakes at the same time the engine lost power while exiting a highway.
2016 Audi S7 complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2018Dec 2020Apr 2021Aug 2021Apr 2022Mar 2024
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2018 to Jul 2025; peak Mar 2021 (3).

2016 Audi S7 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2016 Audi S7 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
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 S7 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid8214420
2015No verdict451320
2016Avoid10015221
2017Caution735221
2018No verdict00118

All Audi S7 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Audi S7 reliable?
Among the 12 model years of the Audi S7 tracked by NHTSA data, 2016 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and a verdict of Avoid. Engine problems account for 73% of its complaints.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S7?
Engine issues dominate, making up 73% of complaints (11 of 15), with a median failure mileage of 47,670.5. Electrical system and transmission/powertrain issues each account for 20% of complaints.
Does the 2016 Audi S7 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Audi S7: one for a turbocharger oil supply strainer that can become blocked (campaign 22V178000) and one for airbag seat frame stress or wear (campaign 18V370000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2016 Audi S7 compare to other years?
The 2016 model has the highest complaint index (100) and worst rank (1) of all 12 years with data, worse than 2013 (index 91) and 2014 (index 82), both also rated Avoid.
Did the 2016 Audi S7 have any fires reported?
NHTSA lists 1 fire report among the 15 complaints for the 2016 Audi S7, with no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.