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2016 Audi RS 7
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
6 owner complaints · 3 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 6 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Audi RS 7, plotted where owners report it happening.
Engine
33%2 complaints
“IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET, BUT MY CONCERN IS GROWING AS AUDI HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. PER AUDI TSB 2044640 AND BENTLEY TSB 20520851 VOLKSWAGON GROUP IS AWARE OF T…”
Visibility & wipers
17%1 complaints
“The front driver and passenger windows started delaminating. Rear side glass is fine. Audi of Van Nuys took pictures. Audi paid for the glass but charged me $1100 for …”
Electrical system
17%1 complaints
“AS I WOULD COME DRIVE ON THE CITY ROADS AND COME TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP OR MAKE A SIGNAL TURN THE AUTO STOP WOULD COME ON BEFORE MAKING A COMPLETE STOP AND SHUTS THE C…”
Airbags
17%1 complaints
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI RS7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V370000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT …”
Recalls (3)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 22V178000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
Air Bags · 18V370000
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.
Equipment · 18V096000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Audi S7 and 2016-2018 RS7 vehicles. The tire information label on these vehicles incorrectly lists the combined maximum weight as 1146 lbs/520 kg, when the correct combined maximum weight is actually 992 lbs/450 kg. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: If the operator were to load the vehicle based on information on the tire information label, they could overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire information label, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44N9.
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Audi RS 7 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every RS 7 model year scores →
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What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.