RoadVitals

2021 Audi RS7

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Apr 10, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
12
Latest Dec 19, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Audi RS7, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,192 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical240.0%
  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

12 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Dec 19, 2025
356,894 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90TVView on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Mar 31, 2025
44,387 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90VCView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Aug 25, 2023
7,499 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.
The risk: Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 47T9View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 10, 2026

This website shows the wrong information. Recall was successfully repaired but it shows here as unrepaired.

NHTSA ID
11730497
Incident
Mar 31, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 2, 2025

While driving, car suddenly started overheating. Warning message asked me to pull over and let the car run idle. However, I was on a free way that was under construction and all shoulders were closed. So no way for me to stop for at least 4 miles. I was afraid that the engine would blow while driving the whole time. Took it to the dealer and they told me that the water pump is faulty. After looking at some Audi forums, it seems like this is a common issue with these vehicles. I’m surprised there has not been a recall since I am not the first person that this has happened to.

NHTSA ID
11691071
Incident
Sep 30, 2025
Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2024

The car continues to smell like coolant and burns excessive oil. It has been taken in for service. Repairs have been attempted but problem still exists. On one occasion, service records indicate a test drive when the mileage remained the same. The oil consumption test I do not believe was performed correctly as I did not get the specific data metrics or points regarding starting point of measurement and end point. They also completed the test at only 1200 miles after requesting for them not to. I am concerned they are trying to hide a design flaw since they redesigned the piston rings when cars were burning excessive oil, bulletin # MC-10245613-0001. They continue to deny oil consumption issues even when I continue to top off the oil 2-3 times between 10,000 mile services. All I am told is "it's a high performance car. It's normal." This appeared in the first 10k miles. At 19,637 miles, I had my 20k service performed. It was brought back in at 22,897 when the oil light came on.

NHTSA ID
11582098
Incident
Apr 10, 2024
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2023

The car stopped in the middle of the intersection due to a 48V issue that is back ordered worldwide. It has been in the shop five times in reference to this stopping multiple times in the road.

NHTSA ID
11544671
Incident
Jul 27, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082976_2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.

TSB_2074436_3

This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.

TSB_2069331_8

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.

TSB_2067132_4

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.

TSB_2064681_6

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when there is an issue with wireless charging/wireless charging is not working.

SM 34-2026

ENGINE

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi RS7 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025010—
2024010—
2023010—
2022040—
2021Viewing4120—
2020000—
2019000—
2018020—
2017030—
2016632—
2015222—
2014522—
2013002—
2012000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.