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Audi2011–2018 Critical issues documented

Audi A7: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Audi A7 (2011–2018) in New Zealand? We've documented 6 known faults for this model spanning engine, transmission, suspension, and cooling. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

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  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

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6

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$1,200–$4,500

Typical repair

5

Systems covered

Which Audi A7 are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Audi A7

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Audi A7Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the A7 came with 4, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Audi A7

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Audi A7 before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    If you can, see the car after it has sat overnight and before the seller has started it.

    See why

    Adaptive air suspension strut leaks and compressor failure (C7)

    A7s fitted with the optional adaptive air suspension use combined air-spring struts that perish with age, most often at the rubber bellows and the top O-ring seal. A leaking strut makes one corner sag after the car has been parked, and the compressor then runs constantly to keep up until it overheats and fails too, turning a single-strut job into a bigger bill. Heat and age are the enemy, so older cars and those that have sat for long periods are most at risk. There is no recall or extended cover; aftermarket struts from reputable brands are the usual independent repair.

    What you would notice

    • One corner sitting lower than the others after being parked overnight
    • Suspension warning light or vehicle too low message
    • Compressor buzzing or running for a long time after start-up
    • Harsh, crashing ride or bouncing over bumps
    • Hissing noise near a wheel after switching off

    Typically $1,200–$5,500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    With the engine cold, open the bonnet and check the coolant expansion tank is at the MAX line and the coolant is clean pink/purple, not brown.

    See why

    3.0 TFSI supercharged water pump and thermostat housing coolant leaks

    The supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 uses plastic water pump and thermostat housings that commonly crack or weep from around 100,000 to 145,000 km, with early (2011-2012) engines worst. The thermostat sits under the supercharger, so the job means removing the blower, which is why it costs more than the parts suggest. Left alone, a slow leak becomes overheating, and running a hot aluminium V6 low on coolant risks head gasket and cylinder head damage. There is no recall or extended warranty for this; it is a normal wear repair on this engine.

    What you would notice

    • Coolant level dropping between services
    • Sweet coolant smell from the engine bay or vents after a drive
    • Pink or purple crusty residue around the front of the engine or under the car
    • Temperature gauge climbing or slow to warm up
    • Radiator fans running hard after switch-off
    • Coolant level warning on the dash

    Typically $1,200–$2,800 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    First check which gearbox it has: the service book, build sticker or advert will say S tronic (7-speed) or tiptronic (8-speed).

    See why

    7-speed S tronic (DL501 / 0B5) mechatronic failure and clutch judder

    Early A7 3.0 TFSI quattro models and the S7 used Audi's 7-speed S tronic wet dual-clutch gearbox (DL501, code 0B5), while many later cars use the 8-speed ZF torque-converter auto, which does not share this fault. The DL501 is prone to mechatronic control unit circuit board failures, clutch position sensor faults and clutch pack wear, which show as judder pulling away, harsh or missed shifts, a flashing gear display and limp mode. It needs an oil and filter change roughly every 60,000 km; cars that missed it are the ones that fail. There is no recall covering the DL501 in the A7, so repairs are at the owner's cost.

    What you would notice

    • Shudder or judder when pulling away, especially up a slope
    • Jerky or delayed shifts between 1st, 2nd and reverse
    • Clunk when stopping or shifting from R to D
    • Gear indicator flashing or gearbox warning on the dash
    • Car goes into limp mode and holds one gear
    • Crunch or reluctance selecting 5th gear

    Typically $2,500–$8,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    With the engine cold, check the coolant tank is at MAX and look for a tidemark showing it has been dropping.

    See why

    3.0 TDI EGR cooler internal leak and unexplained coolant loss

    The second-generation 3.0 TDI V6 in the C7 A6 and A7 has a water-cooled EGR cooler in the engine valley that can crack internally, letting coolant seep into the intake and burn off. Owners report coolant levels dropping with no visible leak, white sweet-smelling exhaust smoke at low speed, and coolant pooling in the V of the engine; plastic coolant flanges around the cooler can also break. Ignored, it can overheat the engine or, in bad cases, hydrolock it. The cooler is buried under the intake, so replacement is labour heavy. There is no NZ or AU recall for this fault.

    What you would notice

    • Coolant level dropping with no drips under the car
    • White, sweet-smelling exhaust smoke, worse at low speeds
    • Coolant warning light
    • Rough running or misfire on a cold start
    • Coolant residue in the V of the engine under the cover

    Typically $2,000–$4,500 to put right.

  • Common issue

    Start the car and watch the screen rise: it should move smoothly and quietly to full height.

    See why

    MMI retractable screen stuck, not rising or blank (C7)

    The C7 A6 and A7 use a motorised MMI screen that rises out of the dash. The lift mechanism uses plastic gears that strip, so the screen stops rising, gets stuck part-way or jams; separately the display itself can go blank or freeze. Without the screen you lose navigation, the reversing camera and most settings. Repair kits with brass gears or a used screen assembly are the cheap independent fixes; a new Audi unit is expensive.

    What you would notice

    • Screen does not rise at start-up or stops part-way
    • Grinding or clicking from the top of the dash as the screen moves
    • Blank or frozen display
    • Reversing camera image missing
    • Screen stuck up and will not retract

    Typically $250–$2,200 to put right.

See all 6 documented issuesEverything researched for the Audi A7, including 1 rated critical.
Depends on which engine this Audi A7 has — 6Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling4

01S7 4.0 TFSI turbo oil strainer blockage and turbocharger failure (recall 21H7)

petrol2013–2017Engine
OccasionalEngine $600–$18,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The S7's 4.0 TFSI twin-turbo V8 was built with a very fine 30 micron oil strainer in each turbo oil feed, which can clog with oil and carbon deposits and starve the turbo bearings of oil. The result is a failed turbo and loss of power, and the hot-V layout makes it worse on cars with long oil change intervals. Audi recalled 2013-2017 S7s (Audi code 21H7, NHTSA 22V178000) to fit a 90 micron strainer and change the oil, and Audi Australia ran the matching recall REC-005488 for 2012-2017 A6, A7 and A8 4.0T models. Cars built after March 2017 have the larger strainer from the factory. Check the recall was done; turbos that already failed are a large bill.

Symptoms to notice

  • Sudden loss of power or limp mode
  • Blue or grey smoke from the exhaust
  • Whistling or siren-like noise from the engine under boost
  • Engine warning light with boost pressure fault
  • Oil consumption rising between services

What to check

  1. Ask for proof that recall 21H7 (AU REC-005488) has been completed: an Audi dealer invoice or recall sticker, or ask any Audi dealer to check the VIN for open recalls.
  2. Start the engine and listen for any siren-like whine as the revs rise; on the test drive, accelerate firmly from low speed and check it pulls strongly and evenly with no hesitation or smoke in the mirror.
  3. After the drive, look at the tailpipes for fresh oily soot.
  4. Check the service history for oil changes at least every 15,000 km on this engine.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: scan for boost and turbo fault codes and have a technician check turbo shaft play and oil leakage at the intake pipes.

Where to look: Twin turbos sit inside the V between the cylinder banks, under the engine cover

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the turbo oil strainer recall (21H7) been done, and do you have the paperwork?”
  • “Have the turbos ever been replaced?”
  • “How often has the oil been changed?”

027-speed S tronic (DL501 / 0B5) mechatronic failure and clutch judder

First check which gearbox it has: the service book, build sticker or advert will say S tronic (7-speed) or tiptronic (8-speed).2011–2018Transmission
OccasionalTransmission $2,500–$8,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Early A7 3.0 TFSI quattro models and the S7 used Audi's 7-speed S tronic wet dual-clutch gearbox (DL501, code 0B5), while many later cars use the 8-speed ZF torque-converter auto, which does not share this fault. The DL501 is prone to mechatronic control unit circuit board failures, clutch position sensor faults and clutch pack wear, which show as judder pulling away, harsh or missed shifts, a flashing gear display and limp mode. It needs an oil and filter change roughly every 60,000 km; cars that missed it are the ones that fail. There is no recall covering the DL501 in the A7, so repairs are at the owner's cost.

Symptoms to notice

  • Shudder or judder when pulling away, especially up a slope
  • Jerky or delayed shifts between 1st, 2nd and reverse
  • Clunk when stopping or shifting from R to D
  • Gear indicator flashing or gearbox warning on the dash
  • Car goes into limp mode and holds one gear
  • Crunch or reluctance selecting 5th gear

What to check

First check which gearbox it has: the service book, build sticker or advert will say S tronic (7-speed) or tiptronic (8-speed). On an S tronic car, start cold and select R then D a few times: the change should engage quickly with no clunk. Pull away gently from a standstill on a slope several times; any shudder or slipping feel is a warning. In traffic, the car should creep smoothly and shift down cleanly when you slow to a stop. Watch the dash for a flashing gear number or gearbox warning. Ask for proof of S tronic oil and filter changes (about every 60,000 km). If a workshop inspection is possible: have the gearbox scanned for stored codes such as P17D8, P176A to P176D or P17D6/P17D7, and have the clutch adaptation values read to see how much clutch wear remains.

Where to look: Gearbox behind the engine; the mechatronic unit sits inside the gearbox

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body, Clutch.

Ask the seller

  • “Is this the 7-speed S tronic or the 8-speed tiptronic?”
  • “When was the gearbox oil and filter last changed?”
  • “Has the mechatronic unit or clutch pack ever been replaced?”
  • “Has the gearbox warning light ever come on?”

033.0 TDI EGR cooler internal leak and unexplained coolant loss

With the engine cold, check the coolant tank is at MAX and look for a tidemark showing it has been dropping.diesel2011–2018Cooling
OccasionalCooling $2,000–$4,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The second-generation 3.0 TDI V6 in the C7 A6 and A7 has a water-cooled EGR cooler in the engine valley that can crack internally, letting coolant seep into the intake and burn off. Owners report coolant levels dropping with no visible leak, white sweet-smelling exhaust smoke at low speed, and coolant pooling in the V of the engine; plastic coolant flanges around the cooler can also break. Ignored, it can overheat the engine or, in bad cases, hydrolock it. The cooler is buried under the intake, so replacement is labour heavy. There is no NZ or AU recall for this fault.

Symptoms to notice

  • Coolant level dropping with no drips under the car
  • White, sweet-smelling exhaust smoke, worse at low speeds
  • Coolant warning light
  • Rough running or misfire on a cold start
  • Coolant residue in the V of the engine under the cover

What to check

With the engine cold, check the coolant tank is at MAX and look for a tidemark showing it has been dropping. Start the car from cold and watch the exhaust: a little steam that clears quickly is normal, but white smoke that persists and smells sweet is not. On the test drive, idle in traffic and check the mirror for white smoke; check the temperature stays mid-gauge. Ask how often coolant is topped up. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the cooling system pressure tested with the engine cover off to look for coolant in the engine valley, and a combustion gas (block) test done to separate an EGR cooler leak from a head gasket.

Where to look: Top of the engine in the V between the cylinder banks, under the intake manifold and engine cover

Parts involved: EGR valve.

Ask the seller

  • “How often do you top up the coolant?”
  • “Has the EGR cooler or EGR valve ever been replaced?”
  • “Have you noticed white smoke from the exhaust?”

043.0 TFSI supercharged water pump and thermostat housing coolant leaks

With the engine cold, open the bonnet and check the coolant expansion tank is at the MAX line and the coolant is clean pink/purple, not brown.petrol2011–2018CoolingRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical1

01MMI retractable screen stuck, not rising or blank (C7)

Start the car and watch the screen rise: it should move smoothly and quietly to full height.2011–2018Electrical
CommonElectrical $250–$2,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The C7 A6 and A7 use a motorised MMI screen that rises out of the dash. The lift mechanism uses plastic gears that strip, so the screen stops rising, gets stuck part-way or jams; separately the display itself can go blank or freeze. Without the screen you lose navigation, the reversing camera and most settings. Repair kits with brass gears or a used screen assembly are the cheap independent fixes; a new Audi unit is expensive.

Symptoms to notice

  • Screen does not rise at start-up or stops part-way
  • Grinding or clicking from the top of the dash as the screen moves
  • Blank or frozen display
  • Reversing camera image missing
  • Screen stuck up and will not retract

What to check

  1. Start the car and watch the screen rise: it should move smoothly and quietly to full height.
  2. Turn the car off and on, and use the button to lower and raise it several times, listening for grinding or clicking.
  3. Put it in reverse and check the camera image appears.
  4. Tap through the MMI menus, radio, Bluetooth and navigation, and check nothing freezes or reboots.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the MMI modules scanned for stored fault codes and software version.

Where to look: Top centre of the dashboard, the pop-up MMI display and its lift motor

Ask the seller

  • “Has the MMI screen ever stuck or been replaced?”
  • “Does the reversing camera always come on?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Adaptive air suspension strut leaks and compressor failure (C7)

If you can, see the car after it has sat overnight and before the seller has started it.2011–2018SuspensionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Audi A7 faults in detail

Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

3.0 TFSI supercharged water pump and thermostat housing coolant leaksMajor · CoolingAdaptive air suspension strut leaks and compressor failure (C7)Major · Suspension

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Audi A7’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Audi models

Audi A445 documented faultsAudi A343 documented faultsAudi A634 documented faultsAudi e-tron5 documented faultsAudi A525 documented faultsAudi Q520 documented faults

Audi A7 buyer questions

Is the Audi A7 reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 6 documented faults for the Audi A7, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and suspension. A Audi A7 with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Audi A7?

We've catalogued 6 known faults for the Audi A7, covering engine, transmission, and suspension. All 6 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Audi A7?

Most single repairs on the Audi A7 fall between $1,200–$4,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 6 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Audi A7?

Yes. A Audi A7 inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.