2015 Audi A7 Safety Report

The 2015 Audi A7 presents a mixed safety picture, with a low number of reported complaints but several significant recalls. With only 5 total complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported to NHTSA, the vehicle appears to have a relatively clean record in terms of direct consumer incident reports. However, the absence of NHTSA crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A) means its performance in standardized crash scenarios is not publicly evaluated by the agency, which is a notable gap for potential buyers. Despite the low complaint volume, the vehicle has been subject to 3 recalls addressing critical safety components. Two recalls specifically target the airbag system: one for the occupant classification system (PODS module) which could prevent proper front passenger airbag deployment, and another for head curtain airbags that may not deploy correctly. A third recall addresses a potential fire risk due to an auxiliary heater electrical connector that could overheat. These recalls indicate design or manufacturing flaws that, if unaddressed, could significantly compromise occupant safety in a crash or lead to a fire. Common complaint patterns, though few, include issues with 'SERVICE BRAKES' (2 complaints), 'AIR BAGS' (1 complaint), 'STEERING' (1 complaint), and 'ENGINE' (1 complaint). The brake complaints mention issues like the pedal going to the floor and warped rotors, while the airbag complaint directly references the passenger seat airbag sensor issue covered by a recall. The engine complaint points to oil consumption and timing chain tensioner defects, which, while not directly safety-related in all cases, can lead to loss of power. The presence of recalls for airbags and electrical systems, combined with consumer complaints, suggests that while the overall incident rate is low, the identified issues are serious.

Our recommendation: Given the low complaint volume but critical safety recalls and lack of NHTSA crash test data, ensure all 3 recalls have been completed by a dealership before purchase, and consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brakes and engine health.