AI Damage2020 Audi S7: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Audi S7 filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 1,001 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,001
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 67% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 33% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 33% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 33% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (67% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 340.
- Steering: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 56.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 39.
- Engine: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.9 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 340 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 56 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 39 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 32 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 205 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 84 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 41 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
TODAY, I was driving my vehicle when I got multiple warnings including a “electrical failure, ABS failure, start stop failure.” I was on a stretch of road where I could not safely remove myself from traffic and was forced to proceed.
On 10/9/2023, the starter generator failed causing the vehicle to stop and shut down while driving and completely break down. I was not able to move the vehicle or shift it into park. Stall occurred on a freeway entrance (acceleration lane) in the traffic lane without warning.
I have been trying to get this recall remedied since 4/1/22 to no avail. I have been stranded on the side of a busy highway due to the fuel indicator reading 1/3 full but the fuel tank was actually empty. This put me in a significant safety situation where the car slows to unsafe speeds and stops due to lack of fuel.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,806 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 14% least complained about).
On average one model year of the S7 has 3 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 3, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine 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 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 about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This bulletin provides general information about SOS Emergency Assist
- 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.
- This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored
- This bulletin provides information when DTC C12BFF0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar…
This bulletin provides information when DTC C12BFF0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.
- This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi pressense warning, warning jolt, and/or brake…
- This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi adaptive light system malfunction; DTC C12B3FA is…
This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi adaptive light system malfunction; DTC C12B3FA is stored in the control module for driver assistance systems.
NHTSA lists 1,001 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 2020 Audi S7?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, powertrain. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (33%), A/C or heater (33%), stalls while driving (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Audi S7?
NHTSA lists 1,001 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 2020 Audi S7 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 2020 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.