AI DamageAudi S7: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Audi S7 across 11 model years: 27 owner complaints and 1,766 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 52% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 37% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 15% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 7% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 14 complaints (52% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 251.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (37% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2,429.
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 230.
- Steering: 4 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 328.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 303.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl 2013–2018
- 2.9 L · hybrid · 6 cyl 2024–2025
- 2.9 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl 2020–2023
- automatic, 8-speed 2020–2025
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2013–2018named in 2 complaints
Drive: AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 27 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 | 14 | 0 | 251 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 2,429 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 230 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 328 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 303 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 102 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 19 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 288 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 253 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 36 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 1,353 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 607 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 294 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While I was on the phone call I heard a loud bursting/pop noise that startled me and saw dust coming from the right front side of the car and felt the car simultaneously lower all the way down and the warning lights then came on the dash.
Play also did disclose the damage that was done to the engine, turbo chargers, or from the car catching on fire. This raises serious concerns about odometer fraud and title washing, and I believe it warrants federal investigation under 49 U.S. Code § 32705.
It’s been cutting out on me, giving me warnings and causing me to stall in the middle of the road, and when I do manage to get it back on it, jerks to the point where I could crash into someone in front of me. I’ve lost power while driving three times already.
Electrical warning issue, totally stopped and showed all the faults on the dash. Seems like starter/alternator problem. Located in Spain, car is from US. Will tow the car to the dealer.
(EPC light, Low oil light, and no control of the steering wheel. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car lost power and steering control out of the no where, i made a full stop on the freeway at 65mph and had to pull out the road to NOT get hit by upcoming traffic.
I had multiple warnings on the dashboard and now the car won't crank. I have seen several post with people with this same issue and can't find a clear answer. I had to push the vehicle out of the road with traffic behind
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
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 provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about…
- This bulletin is a help guide for Audi connect remote start
- This Pending Service Solution requests that technicains create a record in the PSS database when the…
- 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 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 bulletin provides information when the MIL is on, EVAP pressure/temp sensor incorrect DTC displayed
Other models of this make
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.