2016 Audi A7 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 15 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2016 Audi A7 has 15 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 5 complaints, typically surfacing around 13,713 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 A7 | 19 | 1 |
| 2014 A7 | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 A7 | 5 | 0 |
| 2016 A7 (this page) | 15 | 0 |
| 2017 A7 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 A7 | 43 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2016 Audi A7? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 13,713 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is airbags (~$1,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Audi A7
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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.
Going straight, passing thru a green light, another driver runs red light, t bones a7 (prestige trim) causing noticable damage to exterior on passenger side however airbags failed to deploy. Meanwhile a7 also had impact to driver side which the airbags did diploy with less…
Takata recall -received a notice from Audi dealership that my car's VIN came up that it was unsafe to drive because of the head curtain airbag needed to be replaced. I dropped off car on july 13, 2017. I was called by Audi dealership that no airbags could be ordered so I…
My 2016 Audi a7 with 20,000 miles developed an excessive vibration and audible noise when starting from a stop position and turning right or left while accelerating. This condition was reported to the dealership while still under warranty. The kansas city dealership and Audi…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Audi A7 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Audi A7 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Audi A7?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Audi A7 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Audi A7?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 13,713 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Audi A7 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 15 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 13,713 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Audi A7?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 13,713 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 13,713 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi A7 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Audi A7?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 15 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.