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2016 Audi A7 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Audi A7 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 15owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 15%fail the UK MOT
15 complaints, against an average of 13 for the other 9 Audi A7 model years.
Every Audi A7 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Audi A7?
The components named most often in the 15 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2016 Audi A7 been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System: Fuel Rail Volkswagen 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi 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.
Air Bags: Sensor: Occupant Classification 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags: Side/Window Volkswagen 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."
Risk: If the head curtain airbag does not deploy properly in the event of a crash, an unbelted passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Audi 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.
Is the 2016 Audi A7 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAThe mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small
Risk: The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small.
Fix: The oil strainer will be replaced with a revised version with a larger mesh size.
UK DVSAVehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty
Risk: Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and where necessary replaced on the vehicles affected.
UK DVSAThe locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty
Risk: Hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and replaced if required.
UK DVSAFuel may escape from one or both fuel rails
Risk: It is possible that fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails (low-pressure side).
Fix: The fuel rails for the low-pressure side of both cylinder banks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAAirbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident
Risk: Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Fix: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seta belt pretensioner where necessary.
EU Safety GateThe vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021
EU Safety GateThe vehicles may be fitted with a towbar with a swivel mechanism that may have a defective locking pin.As a result, the pin could break while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateIn certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail.Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe auxiliary coolant pump may seize up.This could lead to the pump overheating after the engine has been switched off with the risk that the vehicle could catch fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe additional coolant pump can block due to foreign particles in the cooling system.This can result in the pump overheating which could lead to a fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDifferences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or…Differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners not activating in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2016 Audi A7 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2016, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2016 Audi A7 owners report?
12 of the 15 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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.
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 and Confirmation: The problem has been reproduced but not resolved by Audi Columbus. Inspection: Inspected multiple times by Audi Columbus, but not by police or insurance. Warning Lamps/Symptoms: No warning lamps or messages before the engine shuts off; the failure is sudden…
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 towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer as soon as possible. The contact discovered an unknown Technical Service Bulletin however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was…
Gas smell while AC/HEATER is on and car is sitting idle. My car is not included in the 2019 safety recall 24DP although it should be.
Around 36k miles the vehicle had some dried coolant residue and required coolant topups every 2-3k miles. Two different dealerships performed comprehensive inspections between then and now and did not notify me of any problems. The residue was explained away in a service bulletin stating that it was normal for the water pump to weep some coolant. Now at 44k miles, I brought the car in when I saw dried coolant residue and it seemed to require coolant more frequently. Dealer notified me that the engine water pump has failed and requires replacement.
I have reached a gas station and I am unable to open the fuel filler flap. Apparently this is a known issue to Audi Service departments on Audi’s of this generation not just the A7 model. The problem is apparently intermittent, and apparently worse during winter months. In the next generation vehicle the ful filler flap housing has been redesigned to solve the fuel filler flap not opening problem. Since the car cannot go with our gas, this is clearly a design error, and could leave people stranded mid-winter. Not good here in the North-East.
1ST PROBLEM MY PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL GO ON AND OFF SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH NO ONE IS SITTING THERE. 2ND PROBLEM THE WEATHER HERE WAS -30 FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS AND MY CAR STOPPED WORKING ONE MORNING WHEN I TURNED IT ON. MORE PRECISELY STEERING DID NOT WORK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO VW DEALER AND THEY HAD IT OVER NIGHT FOR ALL ICE TO MELT THEY SAID A BUNCH OF WATER CAME OUT FROM MODULE WHEN THEY UNPLUGGED WIRE HARNES.
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 CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS BINDING OF THE FRONT QUATRO DRIVE SYSTEM IS NORMAL OPERATION. THIS BINDING AND NOISE ONLY DEVELOPED AFTER ABOUT 20000 MILES AND WAS NOT NORMAL OPERATION WHEN PURCHASED NEW AND UNTIL REACHING THE INDICATED MILEAGE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE DRIVE…
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 IMPACT THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL ON OTHER TRIM LEVELS FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HOWEVER THE PRESTIGE TRIM WAS NOT INCLUDED.
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 PICKED UP THE CAR. TODAY, TUESDAY, OCT 31, 2017, I CALL THE SAME AUDI DEALERSHIP, 1421 WILMINGTON PIKE, WEST CHESTER PA 19382 AND TALKED TO GEORGE IN SERVICE 610-455-2000, AND HE STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS STILL NOT RECEIVED ANY REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V293000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (FLOW AUDI IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V293000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (AUDI GRAPEVINE AT 1260 E STATE HWY 114, GRAPEVINE, TX 76051 888-780-7923) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT…
2016 Audi A7: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Audi A7 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi A7; the most common categories were air bags (7, 46.7%), fuel/propulsion system (2, 13.3%), steering (2, 13.3%). There are 3 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 3 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A7?
Across 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (46.7% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (13.3% of complaints), steering (13.3% of complaints), electrical system (6.7% of complaints), engine (6.7% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Audi A7 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi A7; the most recent (campaign 19V035000, 2019-01-16) concerns Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System: Fuel Rail. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own A7
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.