2020 Audi A7 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
scored
Not enough data to score. Too few were made for a reliable rate.
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Per 10,000 cars
- 27.9
- 1,792 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- –
- Serious outcomes
- 4
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 8
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating
Should You Buy the 2020 Audi A7?
We do not score the 2020 Audi A7. Too few were made for a reliable rate, so we show the facts only.
The 2019 A7, from the same generation, scored 57 and rated Avoid. That is a useful guide, not a guarantee.
The most reported problem is the alternator or charging system, mostly failure or loss of drive (3 of 5 complaints). 4 of the 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 8 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the drive axles, emissions system and driver assistance systems.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-23-02 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive3 complaints
What Owners Report
We read all 5 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Audi A7, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.
Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive
3 complaints (60%)
Failure or loss of drive and reduced power or limp mode. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Reported Once (2)
Show the 2 problems reported once
- Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
- Wireless phone charging pad: overheating
How the 2020 Audi A7 Compares With Other Years
The other A7 years of the 2nd generation, 2019 to 2026, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new | – | – | – | 1 | – |
| 2025 | Not scored | – | – | 0.0 | 1 | – |
| 2024 | Not scored | – | – | 0.0 | 1 | – |
| 2023 | Not scored | – | – | 0.0 | 1 | – |
| 2022 | Not scored | – | – | 0.0 | 7 | – |
| 2021 | Not scored | – | – | 33.5 | 13 | Cooling system: a bad smell |
| 2020 This year | Not scored | – | – | 27.9 | 8 | Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive |
| 2019 | Avoid | 57 | 3.1× | 74.9 | 6 | Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive |
| 2018 | Excellent | 81 | 0.42× | 7.0 | 3 | – |
2020 Audi A7 Recalls
Eight recalls cover the 2020 Audi A7. The most recent was issued in December 2025: “Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 25V900000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 19, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Incorrect Brake Fluid Cap
Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V601000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 25, 2023. By the second quarter of 2025, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V861000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 21, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2024, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Gauge May Display Inaccurate Fuel Reading
An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V155000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 14, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2024, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V034000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 26, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V295000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Show 2 more recalls
Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Incorrectly
An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 21V159000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 10, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improper Deployment of Passenger Air Bag
In the event of a crash, the passenger air bag may not properly deploy and inflate, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 20V274000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 13, 2020. By the first quarter of 2022, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2020 Audi A7 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2020 Audi A7, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the drive axles, emissions system and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-02
CV joint failure
- The problem:
- A CV joint can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not say which joint or describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the CV joint and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2018 Q5 and Q7, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron, and 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q8. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 5 years or 60,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-06
EVAP purge valve or hose failure
- The problem:
- The EVAP purge valve or its hose can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the EVAP purge valve and hose and replaces them for free if they failed from a defect.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2019 to 2024 S6, S7 and RS5 with the 2.9 or 3.0 TFSI V6. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 15 years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
- The problem:
- The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
- Coverage:
- Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2020 A7 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door AWD and 4-door AWD with rear side airbags
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2020 A7, from its eight 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.
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 25V900000
- Incorrect Brake Fluid Cap NHTSA 23V601000
- Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power NHTSA 22V861000
- Fuel Gauge May Display Inaccurate Fuel Reading NHTSA 22V155000
- Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA 22V034000
- Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-23-02: CV joint failure
- AWA-23-06: EVAP purge valve or hose failure
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Alternator or charging system
- 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
