2020 Audi S7 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Audi S7, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical228.6%
- Driver assistance114.3%
- Engine114.3%
- Fuel system114.3%
- Powertrain (other)114.3%
- Steering114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TODAY, I was driving my vehicle when I got multiple warnings including a “electrical failure, ABS failure, start stop failure.” I was on a stretch of road where I could not safely remove myself from traffic and was forced to proceed. Within 5 minutes of receiving the error messages my car shutdown and I was unable to control the car. Horrifying experience. By the grace of god I was able to get the vehicle to the side of road where I had to wait for extended period of time to get a tow vehicle that could accommodate my vehicle and have the vehicle towed to my local dealership. I have just learned that what I experienced is a “known problem,” and that there are a massive amount of Audi’s that are impacted by this “alternator issue.” What I also learned due to this widespread problem, parts availability are extremely limited and the waiting period for my car just to get the parts could be in excess of 6-8 weeks. I also learned that the part replacing the failed alternator is the EXACT same alternator in my vehicle presently and there has been no FIX provided so the chances are what I experienced today can most likely occur again once the replaced alternator fails. I never ever what to go through what I went through today ever again.
On 10/9/2023, the starter generator failed causing the vehicle to stop and shut down while driving and completely break down. I was not able to move the vehicle or shift it into park. Stall occurred on a freeway entrance (acceleration lane) in the traffic lane without warning. Approximately 20 minutes before this complete failure of the vehicle, the dashboard warning system provided the following warnings in yellow (meaning the car was drivable): (1) electrical system malfunction! Please contact Service; (2) rear spoiler malfunction; (3) traction control malfunction; and (3) Parking aid malfunction. The vehicle also indicated that the collision avoidance system was not operating and the air conditioning system shut down approximately five minutes before the vehicle completely broke down in the traffic lane. I have received the "rear spoiler malfunction" alert 5+ times in the last year; I asked the dealer to check it; and they said there was no record in the onboard computer of the problem.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TODAY, I was driving my vehicle when I got multiple warnings including a “electrical failure, ABS failure, start stop failure.” I was on a stretch of road where I could not safely remove myself from traffic and was forced to proceed. Within 5 minutes of receiving the error messages my car shutdown and I was unable to control the car. Horrifying experience. By the grace of god I was able to get the vehicle to the side of road where I had to wait for extended period of time to get a tow vehicle that could accommodate my vehicle and have the vehicle towed to my local dealership. I have just learned that what I experienced is a “known problem,” and that there are a massive amount of Audi’s that are impacted by this “alternator issue.” What I also learned due to this widespread problem, parts availability are extremely limited and the waiting period for my car just to get the parts could be in excess of 6-8 weeks. I also learned that the part replacing the failed alternator is the EXACT same alternator in my vehicle presently and there has been no FIX provided so the chances are what I experienced today can most likely occur again once the replaced alternator fails. I never ever what to go through what I went through today ever again.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
On 10/9/2023, the starter generator failed causing the vehicle to stop and shut down while driving and completely break down. I was not able to move the vehicle or shift it into park. Stall occurred on a freeway entrance (acceleration lane) in the traffic lane without warning. Approximately 20 minutes before this complete failure of the vehicle, the dashboard warning system provided the following warnings in yellow (meaning the car was drivable): (1) electrical system malfunction! Please contact Service; (2) rear spoiler malfunction; (3) traction control malfunction; and (3) Parking aid malfunction. The vehicle also indicated that the collision avoidance system was not operating and the air conditioning system shut down approximately five minutes before the vehicle completely broke down in the traffic lane. I have received the "rear spoiler malfunction" alert 5+ times in the last year; I asked the dealer to check it; and they said there was no record in the onboard computer of the problem.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have been trying to get this recall remedied since 4/1/22 to no avail. I have been stranded on the side of a busy highway due to the fuel indicator reading 1/3 full but the fuel tank was actually empty. This put me in a significant safety situation where the car slows to unsafe speeds and stops due to lack of fuel. I have contacted Audi Corp for months without success.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
On 10/9/2023, the starter generator failed causing the vehicle to stop and shut down while driving and completely break down. I was not able to move the vehicle or shift it into park. Stall occurred on a freeway entrance (acceleration lane) in the traffic lane without warning. Approximately 20 minutes before this complete failure of the vehicle, the dashboard warning system provided the following warnings in yellow (meaning the car was drivable): (1) electrical system malfunction! Please contact Service; (2) rear spoiler malfunction; (3) traction control malfunction; and (3) Parking aid malfunction. The vehicle also indicated that the collision avoidance system was not operating and the air conditioning system shut down approximately five minutes before the vehicle completely broke down in the traffic lane. I have received the "rear spoiler malfunction" alert 5+ times in the last year; I asked the dealer to check it; and they said there was no record in the onboard computer of the problem.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TODAY, I was driving my vehicle when I got multiple warnings including a “electrical failure, ABS failure, start stop failure.” I was on a stretch of road where I could not safely remove myself from traffic and was forced to proceed. Within 5 minutes of receiving the error messages my car shutdown and I was unable to control the car. Horrifying experience. By the grace of god I was able to get the vehicle to the side of road where I had to wait for extended period of time to get a tow vehicle that could accommodate my vehicle and have the vehicle towed to my local dealership. I have just learned that what I experienced is a “known problem,” and that there are a massive amount of Audi’s that are impacted by this “alternator issue.” What I also learned due to this widespread problem, parts availability are extremely limited and the waiting period for my car just to get the parts could be in excess of 6-8 weeks. I also learned that the part replacing the failed alternator is the EXACT same alternator in my vehicle presently and there has been no FIX provided so the chances are what I experienced today can most likely occur again once the replaced alternator fails. I never ever what to go through what I went through today ever again.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .