This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Audi S7 engine problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 14 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Audi S7, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 11 mileage-bearing engine complaints filed against the 2013 Audi S7 by each odometer reading. Median failure: 72,000 mi.
10% have failed by61,000 mi
Half the fleet by72,000 mi
90% have failed by82,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Reported failure mileage clusters in the 50,000-75,000 mi band — 6 of 11 complaints with an odometer reading on file land there.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Audi S7 models consistently report turbocharger failure caused by a clogged oil feed screen that starves the turbos of lubrication. The failure typically occurs between 38,000 and 82,000 miles, most commonly in the 61,000–82,000 range. Symptoms include rough idle, engine hesitation, check engine light, loss of power, knocking sounds during acceleration, and sudden engine stall—often while driving on highways or in traffic, creating safety hazards.
Turbo failures manifest as impeller fin play, compressor shaft breakage, and excessive bearing wear. Some owners report white smoke from the exhaust and difficulty restarting after stall. One owner experienced cascading failure when a dealer misdiagnosed a PCV valve failure alongside the clogged oil screen, causing turbo failure and subsequent catastrophic engine damage with scored cylinders.
Repair costs run $12,000–$13,000 for turbo replacement, and many owners also require oil screen replacement. Audi issued TSB 2044640/2 acknowledging that turbocharger damage can result from poor oil supply and oil screen blockage, and later redesigned the oil feed screen for subsequent model years. However, NHTSA Campaign 22V178000 does not cover turbocharger wear from this issue, and Audi has not recalled or warranted repairs for out-of-warranty vehicles. Regular oil changes per the service manual do not prevent the failure.
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger failure due to oil starvation
One or both turbochargers fail prematurely, typically caused by a clogged or defective oil feed screen that starves the turbo bearings of lubrication. Owners report impeller fin play, compressor shaft breakage, and excessive shaft play. The failure mode is well-documented in Audi TSB 2044640/2, which acknowledges turbocharger damage can result from poor oil supply. Multiple owners specifically cite a clogged oil feed screen as the root cause.
When: 38,000 to 82,000 miles; most clusters between 61,000–82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle or engine hesitation; Check engine light; Loss of power or acceleration; Knocking or popping sounds during acceleration; Engine stall at traffic lights or during highway driving; Difficulty restarting after stall; White smoke from exhaust; Sporadic knocking when accelerator depressed
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific OBD codes not provided in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replacement required; most owners cite $12,000–$13,000 for both turbos. Some also required oil screen replacement. One owner paid $10,500 labor with warranty covering engine replacement after catastrophic failure. Another lost $30,000 after auction sale when dealer declined coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi TSB 2044640/2 exists but does not require recall action. NHTSA Campaign 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) was issued but does not cover turbocharger wear from oil starvation. Audi has redesigned the oil screen for later model years but does not retrofit or cover repairs for older S7/S6 vehicles with the 4.0 twin turbo engine out of warranty.
PCV valve failure and cascading engine damage
At least one owner reported a failed PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve combined with a clogged oil screen. The dealer initially missed this diagnosis, and the vehicle was driven while symptomatic, leading to turbo failure and subsequent catastrophic engine damage (scored cylinders, all-cylinder marking) that rendered the engine inoperable.
When: Mileage not disclosed; diagnosis after turbo failure
Symptoms owners cite: Pop sound during acceleration; Check engine light; Loss of power; White smoke from exhaust during acceleration; Engine stall
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not disclosed)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports dealer misdiagnosis delayed proper treatment, allowing the engine to be destroyed. Turbo and PCV repairs would have prevented engine failure. Final loss approximately $30,000 after vehicle sold at auction as-is.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially could not replicate issue, then missed PCV/oil screen diagnosis. Dealer declined warranty coverage citing aftermarket parts, then coerced settlement by threatening to return the car and do nothing. No recall or TSB specifically addressing PCV failure was mentioned.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
With 68033 miles on my Audi s7 the turbos failed and required to be replaced. The first indication of the problem was when the engine shutdown in traffic and I had a hard time starting it while stopped in a busy city traffic lane. It took 3 attempts to get the engine started but it idled very roughly almost quit running again. I was able to limp the car home, but was not sure of the engine…
The contact owns a 2013 Audi S7. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to be serviced for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) where the turbochargers needed to be replaced from wear and tear from the consequences mentioned in the recall. The dealer diagnosed that the turbocharger itself needed to be replaced, however, it was not covered under the recall. The…
Due to this oil sceen being clogged, the turbos were starved for oil and subsequently failed. There was no warning for this and oil was changed regularly per the service manual. I was stranded 80 miles from home. The car began running poorly and then would not run at all. There is a service bulletin on the problem but Audi of America has not yet done anything about my repairs.
While traveling home on the interstate from the airport, my vehicle suddenly started to run very rough and the engine felt like it was going to stall at low idle. I had decreased acceleration capability. No warning lamps illuminated, but it was obvious something was wrong. I limped the car to my local Audi dealership and left it there for an inspection the following morning. I was contacted by a…
Turbos failed at approximately 82,000 miles due to a clogged oil feed screen. Turbos were starved of oil causing one compressor shaft to break in half and the other to have excessive shaft play. This caused a no-run issue and resulted in both turbos having to be replaced along with the oil screen. The vehicle began running poorly at highway speed and when it came to a stop, stalled at a busy…
Blown turbos resulted in catastrophic engine failure. I had to pay labor of $10,500 and warranty paid for new engine. Happened at approximately 72,000 miles. Vehicle in gear with foot on brake at a fast food drive through.
Bought my car with 77,000 miles on it and when I reached 81,000 miles my turbo charger failed. This seems to be common issue with this year vehicle, so common in fact, that there's belief there may be a design flaw in the car. Below is a description of the issue. While going coming back from the grocery store (driving normally on a saturday) I noticed that the check engine light appeared. The…
Failure of both turbos while driving through a rural section of town. Very rough idle and subsequent stall of engine while in traffic. Unable to re-start or drive without keeping the gas pedal depressed making it very difficult to regulate speed and negotiate traffic. Later found out the turbo failure is due to defective oil feed design from the manufacturer.
Initially I was driving on the interstate (I-95) and could feel the car running rough or missing. After I exited the interstate and merged onto the highway (sr405) the car stalled at a traffic light. Wouldn't start at first and after several attempts it finally started but was running really rough. Luckily I was only a mile from the house and was able to get off the highway and limp home on some…
I heard a pop sound when accelerating and the check engine light came on and I loss a lot of power. I called the Audi dealer and they told me to drive it in. I left it with then and they told me they couldn't replicate the issue after a couple of weeks. I went to pick it up and the problem still existed. I went back and grabbed a service tech and we drove it around the block together. He asked…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 Audi S7?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 Audi S7?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 68,033 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 72,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 68,033; a quarter make it past 81,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Audi/S7.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.