2007 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 12th of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 232; 118 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 22.4; 50,781 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.57×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 31; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 5
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2006 A4 2008 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2007 Audi A4?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2007 Audi A4 is 76 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 12th of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is high oil consumption, mostly burning or using oil (13 of 232 complaints). Owners also complain about the headlights and the timing chain or camshaft. 31 of the 232 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 5 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine and airbags. For comparison, the 2006 scores 68 and the 2008 scores 77.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about the warranty extension for intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 76
About half the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil13 complaints
Headlights: works on and off8 complaints
Timing chain or camshaft: damage6 complaints

How the 2007 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.47×	−11
Everyday problems	0.81×	−6
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	1.3×	−7
Score		76

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2007 A4. If it were exactly average, its 50,781 cars would draw about 2.2 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 232 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
13 complaints (6%)
Burning or using oil. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Headlights: works on and off
8 complaints (3%)
Problems that come and go and warning lights. 1 of these 8 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Timing chain or camshaft: damage
6 complaints (3%)
Damage, a failure that needed a new part and early wear. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
5 complaints (2%)
Warning lights and a failure.
Cam follower: parts breaking or coming apart
5 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure that needed a new part and early wear. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Seat belts: not releasing
5 complaints (2%)
Not releasing, not closing or latching and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Tires: damage
5 complaints (2%)
Damage, early wear and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
Engine failure
4 complaints (2%)
A failure, damage and parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 102,000 miles.
Fuel pump: stalling
4 complaints (2%)
Stalling, a loss of power and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 98,000 miles.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: rough running or misfires
4 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 5,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (1%)
No deployment in a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 25,000 miles.
High-pressure fuel pump: early wear
3 complaints (1%)
Early wear, a loss of power and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 73,000 miles.
Manual transmission or clutch failure
3 complaints (1%)
A failure, a feature that stopped working and sticking or stiffness. Median mileage when it started: about 34,000 miles.

Show 16 more problems

Stall (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
Stalling. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 89,000 miles.
Transmission: a loss of power
3 complaints (1%)
A loss of power, failure or loss of drive and harsh or delayed shifts.
Brakes: locking up
2 complaints (under 1%)
Locking up and loss of braking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking.
Engine oil leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Ignition or push-button start: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and the car not starting. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
2 complaints (under 1%)
Wrong readings and a feature that stopped working.
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking.
Fuel filter failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Hesitation.
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and not closing or latching.
Steering: vibration or shudder
2 complaints (under 1%)
Vibration or shudder and locking up.
Transmission computer: vibration or shudder
2 complaints (under 1%)
Vibration or shudder and a failure.
Turbocharger failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Valve train: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak and damage.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and damage.

Reported Once (22)

Show the 22 problems reported once

12V battery failure
CVT: failure or loss of drive
PCV valve or crankcase breather: burning or using oil
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Check engine light (cause not stated)
Several warning lights at once
Engine mounts: a leak
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Heater: a leak
Airbag sensor failure
Convertible top rear window: parts breaking or coming apart
Diverter valve failure
Electrical system (unspecified) failure
Floor mat retention system: parts breaking or coming apart
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
Piston rings: parts breaking or coming apart
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Sunroof drains (water leak): water leaking in
Taillights or brake lights: the system acting on its own
Wheel rim: damage

How the 2007 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 3rd generation (B7), 2006 to 2008, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2009	Good	74	0.68×	25.1	6	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2008	Good	77	0.49×	17.8	6	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2007 This year	Good	76	0.57×	22.4	5	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2006	Caution	68	1.2×	54.3	4	Headlights: works on and off
2005	Caution	67	1.3×	48.4	3	Headlights: works on and off

See every A4 year

2007 Audi A4 Recalls

Five recalls cover the 2007 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in June 2018: “Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V427000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 22, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 41% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V082000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 30, 2018. By the third quarter of 2020, 75% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V032000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 11, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 17% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V382000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 1, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 33% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, February 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V079000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 10, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 40% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2007 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions and one service campaign for the 2007 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine and airbags. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extension
Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
The problem:
Under certain conditions the intake manifold runner control motor and the PCV valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the intake runner control motor and the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 and A4 Cabriolet, 2006 to 2008 A3, and 2008 and 2009 TT. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extension
PCV valve fault with check engine light
The problem:
Under certain conditions the positive crankcase ventilation, or PCV, valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 to 2008 A3, 2006 to 2009 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 and 2009 TT, 2009 to 2011 TTS. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-04
Takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
The problem:
The driver or passenger Takata airbag inflator can fail from a defect. This extension is for cars in the Takata inflator recall.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the inflators and replaces a failed inflator for free. Inoperable or totaled cars and salvage, rebuilt or flood titles are not covered.
Who qualifies:
Cars in the Takata recall. After the main term, coverage lasts 75,000 miles from the recall repair or a time limit, whichever is greater: November 10, 2023, or 2 years if repaired after November 10, 2021.
Coverage:
10 years from the recall repair or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Then a further period applies.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Service campaignAudi 24T3
Intake runner control motor replaced before failure
The problem:
The intake runner control motor, also called the intake manifold flap actuator, may fail on 2.0 TFSI engines built in a certain period. The campaign aims to prevent this.
The fix:
An Audi dealer checks the motor's part number. If it does not match the numbers Audi lists, the dealer fits the new part.
Who qualifies:
2.0 TFSI cars in set VIN ranges: 2006 to 2008 A3 and A4, 2007 and 2008 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 TT. The campaign must still be open on the car's VIN.
Coverage:
Free while the car is still within the intake runner motor warranty extension. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2007 A4 no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2007 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door, S4 4-door, Avant 4-door and S4 Avant 4-door, all with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat4/5

Passenger seat4/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat4/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2007 A4, from its five recalls, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 18V427000
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018 NHTSA 18V082000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017 NHTSA 17V032000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016 NHTSA 16V382000
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, February 2016 NHTSA 16V079000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
PCV valve fault with check engine light
AWA-22-04: takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure

On the Test Drive

Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

High oil consumption
Headlights
Timing chain or camshaft
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.