2016 Audi Rs7 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 RS7.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V370000 (manufacturer code 74D5).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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."
What could happen: 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.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 RS7.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V096000 (manufacturer code 44N9).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Summary: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
What could happen: 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.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 RS7.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 22V178000 (manufacturer code 21H7).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Electrical system (1), Airbags (1), Unknown Or Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
10/27/2022 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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 labor.
09/19/2021 · Engine
turbo failure
11/16/2020 · Electrical system
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 CAR OFF WHILE STILL IN MOTION. CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LOCK AND I WOULD HAVE TO STOP THE CAR PUT IT IN PARK AND PUSH THE START/STOP BUTTON TO ACTIVATE THE VEHICLE AGAIN.
06/07/2019 · Engine
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 TURBOS FAILING ON THEIR 4.0T ENGINES. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE OIL SCREEN RUNNING TO THE TURBOCHARGER'S (CLOGGING), AS WELL AS THE OIL SEPARATOR FAILING/CRACKING. I'M CONCERNED FOR…
08/29/2018 · Airbags
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 AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (AUDI MEMPHIS, 1825 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, (888) 482-5202) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE MANUF…
04/04/2017 · Unknown Or Other
CPSC: 2016 AUDI RS7 QUATTRO - ISSUE WITH THE SEATBELTS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS. THEY WOULD NOT PLUG INTO AND STAY FULLY CLICKED IN - THEY WOULD GO IN BUT NOT LOCK - HAD TO PUSH REALLY HARD HAD TO PUSH REALLY HARD AND THEY FINALLY LATCHED, BUT THEN COULDN'T GET IT TO RELEASE. THIS OCCURRED ON ALL OF THE SEATBELTS. UPDATED 04/14/2017*JS