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Audi · Midsize car

2016 Audi RS 7

Gas
Midsize Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
81 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA6
Crash ratingNHTSA overall
Fuel economybest combined, EPA18 mpg
201820172016

The 2016 Audi RS 7 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car. The most efficient version, the RS 7, is EPA-rated at 18 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 6 complaints, most often about the engine.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RS 7GasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo142518$4,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36345.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Audi RS 7 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
high

Engine And Engine Cooling

21H7
26,093 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskWorn 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V178000reported Mar 23, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
high

Air Bags

74D5
139,249 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskIf the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V370000reported Jun 4, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
minor

Equipment

44N9
3,543 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskIf 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.FixAudi 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V096000reported Feb 7, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Filter/Screen — Engine Stall - Turbo Failure closed

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger failure was a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply li

Opened Apr 4, 2022 · closed May 26, 2023 · action EA22001

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Filter/Screen — Engine Stall - Turbo Failure closed

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints further allege the turbocharger failure is a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer

Opened Mar 29, 2021 · closed May 27, 2022 · action PE21009

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
6complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1

Most-cited components

Engine2
Unspecified1
Air Bags1
Electrical System1
Visibility/Wiper1

What owners describe

“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.”Oct 27, 2022 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other RS 7 model years

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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