Audi A7 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Audi A7 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2009 drew the fewest (1) and the 2019 the most (43).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | — |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 4 | Engine | — | 24 |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 8 | Electrical system | — | 24 |
| 2018 | 3 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 23 |
| 2015 | 5 | 3 | Service brakes | — | 21–29 |
| 2021 | 6 | 11 | Engine | — | 24–29 |
| 2014 | 11 | 2 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 21–29 |
| 2016 | 15 | 3 | Air bags | — | 24–30 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
19 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 21 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
30 | 5 | Air bags | — | 22 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
43 | 6 | Electrical system | — | 25 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Audi A7 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Audi A7: 43 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 24 (56%); Engine 9 (21%); Power train 8 (19%).
Reports mention 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 4,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Audi A7: 30 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 7 (23%); Electrical system 6 (20%); Steering 6 (20%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 94,291 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Audi A7: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 7 (37%); Engine 5 (26%); Steering 4 (21%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,402 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Audi A7 years with the fewest complaints
2017 Audi A7: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 1 (100%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (100%); Service brakes 1 (100%).
4 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Audi A7: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (50%); Engine 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Audi A7 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4,000 |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 65,402 |
| 2012 | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 94,291 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Audi A7 recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2019–2025 model years; 356,894 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2025; 25V900000)
- Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 (2021 model year; 170,296 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2022; 22V742000)
- Passenger's Air Bag may Deploy Improperly (2012–2018 model years; 139,249 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2018; 18V370000)
- Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat (2021–2022 model years; 93,196 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V842000)
- Improperly Welded Fuel Rails May Leak Fuel (2016–2018 model years; 74,881 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V035000)
All 24 Audi A7 recall campaigns · Audi A7 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Audi A7 years FAQ
Which Audi A7 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2009 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Audi A7 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2012 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Audi A7 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (44 of 138 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Audi A7 have?
NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns covering the Audi A7. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Audi A7 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.