AI Damage2021 Audi A7: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Audi A7 filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 1,294 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,294
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Backover prevention 17% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- Engine: 3 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 43.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 474.
- Backover prevention: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 43 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 474 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 298 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 109 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 62 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 60 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 15 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle experienced an immediate, dangerous loss of motive power in active traffic. The dashboard displayed an amber check engine light alongside the central master warning light (an amber triangle with an exclamation point inside).
The first time, while driving at 50-55mph, the engine decelerated suddenly. After about 10-15 seconds struggles with the gas pedal and brake pedal, the car accelerated normally. I pulled safely to side of the road to shut off the engine and start again. Things seemed to work like normal.
Water pump design failure caused a leak of coolant into vacuum lines preventing coolant from cooling engine and causing immediate overheating. Known issue previous class action lawsuit.
At first, the yellow electrical system malfunction warning light came on. After a short time of driving, the light turned red, and very shortly after than (within five minutes as I was trying to drive the vehicle to the dealership for repair), all of the electrical systems in the vehicle failed.
The virtual cockpit (dashboard) went completely black except for an exclamation point. Speed, warning symbols, engine temp etc were not visible. Dealers has confirmed the issue and is currently trying to remedy the situation. The danger was not knowing how fast I was traveling.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the speed control software needed to be reprogrammed. The software was updated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,633 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 22% least complained about).
On average one model year of the A7 has 6 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 6, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about…
- This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment;…
- This bulletin provides information regarding various complaints about front or rear door locks
- This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate
- This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel
- This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense…
This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense system fault, adaptive cruise assist inop (DTC C12D5FA).
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This bulletin provides general information about SOS Emergency Assist
- This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking…
This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
NHTSA lists 1,294 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi A7?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, backover prevention. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (33%), A/C or heater (17%), overheating, coolant loss (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Audi A7?
NHTSA lists 1,294 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Audi A7 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.