2016 Audi A7 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 27, 2024 · 15 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other A7 years
Far more complaints than other years 4th of 16 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi A7. That ranks 4th out of 16 A7 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (7 complaints, 47%), typically at around 13,713 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 3 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Audi A7
Audi A7 55 TFSIe Quattro at Geneva Motor Show 2019. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2016 Audi A7 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags7 · ~13,713 mi
Fuel/propulsion System2
Steering2 · ~90,068 mi
Electrical System1 · ~10,956 mi
Engine1
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Power Train1 · ~20,000 mi
Structure1 · ~10,956 mi
Tires1
Visibility/wiper1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags747%13,713——
Fuel/propulsion System213%———
Steering213%90,068——
Electrical System17%10,956——
Engine17%———
Engine and Engine Cooling17%———
Power Train17%20,000——
Structure17%10,956——
Tires17%———
Visibility/wiper17%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 4 complaints
2017: 4201742018: 1201812019: 1201912021: 1202112022: 2202222023: 2202322024: 420244

n = 15 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Audi A7 recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel railJan 16, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V035000 · 74,881 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationJun 4, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V370000 · 139,249 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:side/windowMay 1, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V293000 · 17,694 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

When I have a passenger riding with me the passenger airbag cuts on and off the whole time while I’m driving. This is a major safety concern especially when I have passengers all the time. I’m concerned the airbag will not deploy during an accident.

Air Bags · received Dec 27, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11632572

Component/System Malfunction: The engine control unit fails, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving. This component is available for inspection. Safety Risk: The sudden shutdown poses severe risks. It happened on local roads and highways at speeds over 65 mph, creating immediate…

Engine · received Jul 22, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11603833

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A7. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel stopped operating and the "Do Not Drive Vehicle, Steering Defective" message was displayed. The vehicle was pulled into a parking lot where the vehicle restarted; however, the failure…

Steering · received Apr 10, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11582185

In five years I have had my windshield chip or crack four times. Replacement is a pain and expensive. It seems the design is far too susceptible to breakage and is unsafe.

Visibility/wiper · received Feb 29, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11574795

Gas smell while AC/HEATER is on and car is sitting idle. My car is not included in the 2019 safety recall 24DP although it should be.

Fuel/propulsion System · received Dec 11, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11559498

Other Audi A7 years

← 2015 A7 · 2017 A7 →

See all Audi A7 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A7?

Owners most often report air bags, fuel/propulsion system, steering problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 7 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Audi A7?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 Audi A7 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other A7 model years, the 2016 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.