What are the most common Audi S7 problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2016 Audi S7 has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure Causing Hard Start and Power Loss (4.0T V8), S-tronic 7-Speed Dual-Clutch (DL501/0B5) Mechatronic and Clutch Wear, Turbocharger Wastegate Linkage Rattle and Underboost (4.0T V8). Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Audi S7 reliable?
The 2016 Audi S7 has 15 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure Causing Hard Start and Power Loss (4.0T V8) and S-tronic 7-Speed Dual-Clutch (DL501/0B5) Mechatronic and Clutch Wear and Turbocharger Wastegate Linkage Rattle and Underboost (4.0T V8) and Passenger Occupant Detection Mat Can Disable the Airbag (Recall 18V370 / 74D5) and Turbocharger Oil-Supply Strainer Can Block and Cause Engine Stall (Recall 22V178 / 21H7). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Audi S7 problems?
Repair costs for known Audi S7 issues range from $0 to $9,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure Causing Hard Start and Power Loss (4.0T V8), typically costs $700-$2,200 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure Causing Hard Start and Power Loss (4.0T V8)?
The 4.0T TFSI V8 in the S7 uses two cam-driven high-pressure fuel pumps (one per bank). A failing HPFP cannot maintain rail pressure, producing long cranking, no-start (especially when warm or cold), stalling, rough idle, and reduced power, typically with low fuel-rail pressure c… Repairs typically run $700-$2,200. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 S-tronic 7-Speed Dual-Clutch (DL501/0B5) Mechatronic and Clutch Wear?
EU-spec C7 S7s paired the 4.0T with the 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission (DL501 / 0B5). Owners report clutch judder/shudder when pulling away from a standstill, hesitation and jerky low-speed shifts, and in severe cases loss of drive. The dominant failure modes are mecha… Repairs typically run $1,500-$6,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Turbocharger Wastegate Linkage Rattle and Underboost (4.0T V8)?
The 4.0T's two turbochargers sit in the 'hot-V' between the cylinder banks, where trapped heat coks oil and wears the turbo bearings and wastegate hardware over time. A very common failure is wastegate-linkage wear: the hole in the wastegate arm where the actuator peg sits elonga… Repairs typically run $3,000-$9,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Passenger Occupant Detection Mat Can Disable the Airbag (Recall 18V370 / 74D5)?
On certain 2013-2018 S7 vehicles with basic front seats, stress or wear in the body-sensing mat can make the passenger occupant-detection system malfunction and prevent proper airbag deployment. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2017 Audi S7 Turbocharger Oil-Supply Strainer Can Block and Cause Engine Stall (Recall 22V178 / 21H7)?
On certain 2013-2017 S7 vehicles, the turbocharger oil-supply strainer can block, starve the turbo bearings, and allow the shaft or turbine to fail, potentially stalling the engine. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Front Control Arm Bushing and Ball Joint Failure (C7 Suspension)?
Separate from the adaptive air-suspension struts, the C7 S7's multi-link front suspension uses several aluminum control arms whose rubber bushings and ball joints are common wear items. Failures are widely reported between 70k-100k miles (and sometimes as early as 30k-40k on hard… Repairs typically run $900-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 PCV / Oil Separator (Ölabscheider) Failure Causing Oil Consumption and Whistling (4.0T V8)?
On the C7/C7.5 S7's 4.0T TFSI (EA824) V8, the PCV valve integrated into the oil separator is a high-failure item. The diaphragm fails and the crankcase ventilation system loses its ability to regulate pressure, leading to elevated oil consumption (often 1 quart per ~500-1000 mile… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2022 Audi S7 Premature Front Brake Rotor Warping and Pad Wear?
Owners of the heavy A7/S7 frequently report premature front brake wear and rotor warping, with some replacing front rotors multiple times in well under 50k miles. The OEM rotors are relatively soft and reach minimum thickness after roughly one pad set, and uneven pad engagement l… Repairs typically run $600-$1,800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Rear Differential Mount and Driveshaft Center Bearing Wear Causing Drivetrain Clunk (C7)?
Distinct from the engine motor mounts, the C7 S7's quattro driveline develops play as the rear differential mount and driveshaft center support bearing age. The factory rear diff mount has large voids in its rubber, allowing excessive differential movement under load that produce… Repairs typically run $400-$1,600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Fuel Injector Deposits / Failure Causing Misfire and Rough Running (4.0T V8)?
The direct-injection 4.0T TFSI is prone to injector-related driveability faults: clogged or leaking injectors and injector-seal failures cause random/multi-cylinder misfires, rough idle, a rich-running condition, and hesitation. German A7/S7 reliability guides list injector damag… Repairs typically run $500-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Sunroof / Panoramic Roof Drain Clog Causing Water Intrusion and Electronics Damage (C7)?
The C7 S7's sunroof drainage channels route water down through the A- and C-pillars to exit beneath the car. The drain tubes clog with debris, and the snap-fit connector where the tube attaches to the sunroof frame can loosen as its bonding ages, so water overflows into the cabin… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Ignition Coil Pack Failure Causing Misfires (4.0T V8)?
The eight individual coil-on-plug ignition coils on the 4.0T V8 are a recurring misfire source as they age, especially on tuned cars where higher cylinder pressures stress the spark. A failing coil produces a cylinder-specific misfire (P030X) and a flashing or steady check engine… Repairs typically run $350-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2022 Audi S7 Power Liftgate Motor and Gas Strut Failure (Sportback Tailgate)?
The S7's large Sportback hatch uses a power liftgate driven by spindle/lift motors and supported by gas struts. Over time the gas struts lose pressure and the motors wear, so the hatch opens slowly or struggles, opens a few inches and stops, won't stay up (slowly drifting closed… Repairs typically run $250-$1,200. Severity: low.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Rear-View Camera / MMI Flex Harness Black Screen?
On the C7 A7/S7, the reversing camera frequently goes to a black screen (or shows an intermittent 'No Signal' banner) when reverse is selected, even though the parking sensors still beep. The usual root cause is broken conductors in the flexible wiring loom that flexes at the tai… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: low.
What is the 2013-2018 Audi S7 Shark-Fin Roof Antenna Water Intrusion Causing GPS / Satellite Radio Reception Loss (C7)?
The roof-mounted 'shark fin' antenna module on the C7 A6/A7/S6/S7/RS7 packages GPS, SiriusXM satellite, and phone/telematics antennas together. The base rubber gasket degrades and the FAKRA coax terminals corrode, allowing water intrusion that damages the antenna's internal circu… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: low.
