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2016 Audi A7

GasDiesel
Midsize Cars
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
69 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA15
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA30 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Audi A7 is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel midsize car with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the A7 quattro, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 15 complaints, most often about the air bags.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
A7 quattroGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl202924$3,250
A7 quattroDieselAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo253830$3,000

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 35995, 36130.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Audi A7 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

24DP
74,881 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.FixAudi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
NHTSA campaign 19V035000reported Jan 16, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

74D5
139,249 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskIf the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixVolkswagen 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 campaign 18V370000reported Jun 4, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

69R2
17,694 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have head curtain air bags that may not deploy properly in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."RiskIf the head curtain airbag does not deploy properly in the event of a crash, an unbelted passenger has an increased risk of injury.FixAudi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected head curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 29, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 69R2.
NHTSA campaign 17V293000reported May 1, 2017Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
15complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 4

Most-cited components

Air Bags7
Steering2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Structure1
Electrical System1
Power Train1

What owners describe

“When I have a passenger riding with me the passenger airbag cuts on and off the whole time while I’m driving. This is a major safety concern especially when I have passengers all the time. I’m concerned the airbag will not deploy during an accident.”Dec 27, 2024 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“Component/System Malfunction: The engine control unit fails, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving. This component is available for inspection. Safety Risk: The sudden shutdown poses severe risks. It happened on local roads and highways at speeds over 65 mph, creating immediate danger. Reproduction …”Jul 22, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Audi A7. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel stopped operating and the "Do Not Drive Vehicle, Steering Defective" message was displayed. The vehicle was pulled into a parking lot where the vehicle restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was tow…”Apr 10, 2024 · Steering · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other A7 model years

A

2025 Audi A7

1 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2024 Audi A7

1 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2023 Audi A7

1 recalls · 0 complaints

F

2022 Audi A7

6 recalls · 0 complaints

F

2021 Audi A7

11 recalls · 6 complaints

F

2020 Audi A7

8 recalls · 2 complaints

D

2019 Audi A7

6 recalls · 43 complaints

C

2018 Audi A7

2 recalls · 3 complaints

D

2017 Audi A7

4 recalls · 1 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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