2016 Audi S7 Safety Report
2016 Audi S7 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Audi S7
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Audi S7. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (15) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Audi S7 with 1 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Audi S7 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S7 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi S7 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Audi S7 | 5 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Audi S7 | 1 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Audi S7 | 3 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Audi S7 | 3 | 10 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Audi S7 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Audi S7, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyPower Train
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Service Brakes,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlySteering,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Engine issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Audi S7
Reliability Score
The 2016 Audi S7 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2016 Audi S7
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Audi S7:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Recalled for certain 2013-2017 models due to engine and engine cooling issues. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Turbocharger Failure Common issue leading to engine shutdowns and loss of power, often occurring around 45,000 miles. |
High | Rare | 30k-74k miles |
| Electrical System And Service Brakes Reported issues include electrical system and service brake problems, leading to unexpected vehicle stops. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Malfunction Noted issues with the 7-speed DSG transmission, causing random jerking and shifting problems. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Audi S7:
Common issue leading to engine shutdowns and loss of power, often occurring around 45,000 miles.
Recalled for certain 2013-2017 models due to engine and engine cooling issues.
Reported issues include electrical system and service brake problems, leading to unexpected vehicle stops.
Noted issues with the 7-speed DSG transmission, causing random jerking and shifting problems.
Recall Details for the 2016 Audi S7
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Audi S7 by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
Consequence: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
Consequence: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Audi S7
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Audi S7 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 involved fires.
Carvana sold me a 2016 Audi S7 (VIN [XXX] ) with what was later discovered to be an odometer discrepancy. I submitted a formal complaint to the Ohio Attorney General, and Carvana subsequently issued a refund. However, after refunding me, I learned that Carvana resold the vehicle at auction without disclosing the odometer issue or branding the title as required under federal law. Play also did di...
The car was driving perfectly fine until last week heading to drop my kids to school and the vehicle stopped on the middle of the street. I had no previous issues or notice. 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
Submitting an official complaint since there has been a lack of status update or repair resolution. I am concerned that I will have a failure resulting in injury or death since I cannot get this fixed.
I have a 2016 Audi S7 that uses the notorious 7-speed DSG transmission. I started to notice some random jerking when I pull the car from the red light a month before the car completely dead on me in April 2021. One time when I was driving on the highway at 70mph it throws a "transmission malfunction" code on my dash and put my car in Limp Mode (only 1,3,5,7 gear available). I also experience gear...
The engine died on the New Jersey turnpike going 70 mph. Had to coast to shoulder. Sat on the side of the highway with children in back seat for 45 mins waiting for tow which is extremely dangerous. No warning lights before or after the issue. Had to be towed to dealer. Dealer confirmed turbo system failed.
The car drove normally at highway speed for approximately 4 hours. Upon leaving the highway and attempting to accelerate onto a secondary road into oncoming traffic, the engine shuttered. The car drove erratically for about a mile with hesitation and shuttering. After stopping at a stop sign at a very busy intersection, the engine failed completely. The Electronic Power Control warning light ...
Car only has 29,489 miles and has been serviced at Audi for every 1yr and now has turbo failure at a cost of 12k.
AT 40K MILES, I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE SYMPTOMS OF A DYING MECH UNIT (BANG/JERK TO STOP, SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE), ETC. THOSE SYMPTOMS HAPPENED WHEN I PULL UP FROM STATIONARY, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. CAR WILL ALSO THROW TRANSMISSION ERROR CODE ON DASHBOARD AND PUT IN "LIMP MODE" FROM TIME TO TIME. SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AUDI QUOTED ME $5800 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MECHATRONIC UNIT. ...
EXPERIENCED TURBOCHARGER FAILURE WHEN COMING TO A STOP AFTER GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE AFTER APPROXIMATE 2.5 HOURS OF DRIVING. ENGINE DIED AS CAR SLOWED DOWN SO SUSPECT THE TURBOS FAILED WHILE DRIVING BUT RAM AIR FROM INTERSTATE SPEEDS WAS ADEQUATE TO MAINTAIN THE ENGINE UNTIL IT SLOWED DOWN. THE EXTENDED RUN TIME WITH FAILED TURBOS RESULTED IN METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE OIL SO AFTER INSPECTION, THE ...
TURBO FAILURE. FIRST START UP OF THE DAY, VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AND DIE. TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSE WITH TURBO FAILURE.
AT 74000 MILES, THE TURBOCHARGERS FAILED. I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY THOROUGHFARE AND ENGINE QUIT WORKING. COULD NOT DRIVE, OR TURN CAR. I WAS STOPPED.. THANKFULLY POLICE CAME QUICKLY. THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR THAT AUDI IS AWARE OF.
AS I WAS PULLING OFF THE INTERSTATE TO USE THE RESTROOM, MY ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. I LOST CONTROL OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR TEMPORARILY AND ENOUGH TO PULL INTO THE GAS STATION RIGHT OFF THE INTERSTATE. I DID NOT THINK THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG AND WENT TO USE THE BATHROOM. WHEN I CAME BAC...
BOTH TURBOCHARGERS FAILED DUE TO OIL STARVATION AT JUST OVER 45000 MILES. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE TRANSPORTED DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AS A MAJOR FAILURE.
ACCELERATED FROM A STOP TO ABOUT 20 MPH, WHEN IT WENT INTO 2ND GEAR THE ENGINE REVVED AND SKIPPED INTO 3RD GEAR. WARNING STATED "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. NO REVERSE GEAR. YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVING." REVERSE NO LONGER WORKS. ENGINE REVS TO 5000 RPM WHEN DRIVING 20-25 MPH.
BITURBO FAILURE CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NO POWER. I HAD TO MERGE THROUGH TWO LANES TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT POWER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT SOME HAVE BEEN ON FIRE. NEED TO REPLACE THE TURBO. INTERNET SAYS AT LEAST $14,000.00, THOUGH I AM COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Audi S7
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
Opened 2021-03-29 · Closed 2022-05-27
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the ...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
Opened 2022-04-04 · Closed 2023-05-26
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor t...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Audi S7
Has the 2016 AUDI S7 been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 AUDI S7 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 AUDI S7 have?
The 2016 AUDI S7 has 15 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 AUDI S7?
The 2016 AUDI S7 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 AUDI S7?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 AUDI S7 involve engine (7 complaints), power train (3 complaints), electrical system,engine,fuel/propulsion system (1 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,service brakes,engine, unknown or other, steering,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2016 AUDI S7 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 AUDI S7 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 AUDI S7 have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2016 AUDI S7 out of 15 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 AUDI S7?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 AUDI S7.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 AUDI S7?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 AUDI S7.
Should I buy a 2016 AUDI S7?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 AUDI S7 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 15 complaints, 2 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 AUDI S7?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 AUDI S7 are: 1. ENGINE (7 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (3 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE (1 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 7 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 AUDI S7?
Be cautious of turbocharger failures and engine cooling issues, especially around 45,000 miles. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 AUDI S7 has 15 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 AUDI S7?
The 2016 AUDI S7 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 15 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and engine cooling and Turbocharger failure.
What are the known issues with the 2016 AUDI S7?
Known issues with the 2016 AUDI S7 include: Engine and engine cooling, Turbocharger failure, Electrical system and service brakes, Transmission malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 15 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Audi S7?
Yes, recalls have been issued for engine and engine cooling issues, particularly for certain 2013-2017 models.
What are the common issues with the turbocharger?
Turbocharger failures are common, often leading to engine shutdowns and loss of power, typically around 45,000 miles.
Are there any electrical system issues with the 2016 Audi S7?
Yes, electrical system and service brake problems have been reported, leading to unexpected vehicle stops.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of turbocharger failures and engine cooling issues, especially around 45,000 miles. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Audi S7
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Audi S7. The data includes 15 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 fire incidents, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13