2018 A7
1st generation
Excellent
No single problem stands out in its complaints.
- Per 10k cars
- 7.0
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 3
Audi A7 Reliability Rankings: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Audi A7 year to buy is the 2018, at 81 out of 100.
The 2019 rates Avoid, and the 2013 and 2014 need a careful look. Owners of the 2013 and 2014 most often report the turbocharger, mostly stalling. On the 2019, the main complaint is the alternator or charging system, mostly losing drive.
No A7 from 2019 on rates Good or better yet. Be careful with the 2019. The 2020 to 2024 have too little data to score. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
For an older A7, made before 2019, the 2012 and 2015 to 2018 rate Good or Excellent. The 2013 and 2014 are the ones to check closely.
71
Good
Model score, all years
15
Model years tracked
212
Owner complaints
30
Recalls, all years
Excellent1 year
Avoid1 year
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score. Not enough data to score: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Excellent 80+Good 70–79Caution 60–69Avoid under 60 Provisional, with 80% range 70 = average for a car of the same age
Best Years to Buy an Audi A7
The 2018 is the only A7 year rated Excellent, with a score of 81.
81
Also rated Good: 2012, 2015–2017.
Audi A7 Years to Avoid
The 2019 is the only A7 year rated Avoid, with a score of 57. The others are the lowest-scoring years rated Caution.
2013 A7
1st generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Turbocharger: stalling37%
- Turbo oil strainer failure11%
- Steering: sticking or stiffness11%
- Engine failure6%
- Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)6%
- Per 10k cars
- 42.7
- Complaints
- 35
- Recalls
- 7
Audi extended the warranty on some 2013 A7s for problems with the engine and driver assistance systems.
Full 2013 report →2014 A7
1st generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Turbocharger: parts breaking or coming apart30%
- Turbo oil strainer failure17%
- Adaptive cruise control: warning lights10%
- Automatic emergency braking: warning lights10%
- Fuel system: stalling10%
- Stall (cause not stated)10%
- Per 10k cars
- 32.0
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 5
Audi extended the warranty on some 2014 A7s for problems with the emissions system, engine and driver assistance systems.
Full 2014 report →
2019 A7
2nd generation
Avoid
Most reported problems
- Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive26%
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)12%
- Instrument cluster: works on and off9%
- Start-stop system: hesitation9%
- Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead7%
- Several warning lights at once7%
- Per 10k cars
- 74.9
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 6
Audi extended the warranty on some 2019 A7s for problems with the drive axles and driver assistance systems.
Full 2019 report →The Newest A7 Years: 2025–2026
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
2025 A7
Too new0 complaints and 1 recall so far.
Same generation as the 2019, which scored 57 (Avoid).
What we know so far →2026 A7
Too new0 complaints and 1 recall so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
Same generation as the 2019, which scored 57 (Avoid).
What we know so far →Audi A7 Reliability by Year
All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Audi programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2nd generation | Too new | – | – | 0 | – | 1 | Report |
| 2025 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | Report |
| 2024 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | Report |
| 2023 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | Report |
| 2022 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | Report |
| 2021 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 15 | 33.5 | 13 | Report |
| 2020 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 5 | 27.9 | 8 | Report |
| 2019 | 2nd generation(first year) | Avoid | 57 | 3.1× | 43 | 74.9 | 6 | Report |
| 2018 | 1st generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.42× | 3 | 7.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2017 | 1st generation | Good | 76 | 0.57× | 7 | 11.4 | 6 | Report |
| 2016 | 1st generation | Good | 72 | 0.96× | 36 | 27.1 | 5 | Report |
| 2015 | 1st generation | Good | 73 | 0.78× | 8 | 19.2 | 5 | Report |
| 2014 | 1st generation | Caution | 69 | 1.1× | 30 | 32.0 | 5 | Report |
| 2013 | 1st generation | Caution | 66 | 1.4× | 35 | 42.7 | 7 | Report |
| 2012 | 1st generation | Good | 73 | 0.75× | 30 | 23.8 | 5 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Audi made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Audi's own model history.
How We Score Each Model Year
1
Count What Owners Report
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
2
Adjust for How Many Were Made
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Audi made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
3
Turn It Into a Score
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.
What to Do Next
Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare A7 Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.