Generation-specific owner insights from 130+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2021–today A7?14
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2021–2026
11
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2021-2026 A7 describe it as a comfortable, smooth-riding, and visually striking car that is a pleasure to drive, with the 3.0L engine widely regarded as well-sorted and reliable when maintenance is kept up.
8 problems reported (1 recurrent, 7 isolated) · medium confidence
Usually clearing on its own and linked to dirt.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal: the 3.0L engine in this generation is repeatedly described as well-sorted and reliable, and the Prestige trim is favored over the S7 by some owners for value and features. One owner specifically praised the 2021 A7e Prestige as trouble-free.
Owners compare it most often with the BMW M340i, BMW i4 M50, Mercedes E 53 AMG, Mercedes E450 and Mercedes C-Class.
Is a 2021–2026 A7 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the 2021-2026 A7 describe it as a comfortable, smooth-riding, and visually striking car that is a pleasure to drive, with the 3.0L engine widely regarded as well-sorted and reliable when maintenance is kept up. The dominant criticism is cost: maintenance and repairs are described as expensive, and several owners strongly recommend extended warranties for peace of mind. A recurring practical frustration is the 48V alternator issue, which owners connect to build delays and order holds on new cars. One owner of a 2021 A7e Prestige called it "rock solid" with no issues and a top-five car out of more than fifty owned, while another owner reported three dealer visits in 17,000 miles, all covered under warranty. Later model years appear to benefit from the 48V issue being addressed before build, though owners still flag it as a concern.
Owners position the A7 as the comfort-and-luxury choice rather than the performance choice, repeatedly favoring it over the S5 and S6 for ride quality, interior space, and road presence while conceding the S models are faster. Against the Mercedes E 53 AMG, owners say the A7 is smoother, quieter, and better equipped for daily driving, with the AMG offering more performance but less drivability. Against the BMW M340i, owners acknowledge the BMW wins on driving dynamics and speed but say the A7 gives up far less in luxury and tech. Against the Tesla Model 3, owners frame the A7 as old-school luxury versus a tech-forward EV, noting the Tesla depreciates less. Against the Honda Accord, owners say the A7 drives better but costs far more to maintain. Several owners describe the A7 as more car and a class above the C-Class and 3 Series in size and presence.
Insufficient owner data available. Partial signal: owners recommend the 3.0L over smaller engines for this car's weight, advise oil changes every 4,000 miles (or every 6,000 km) for engine health, and suggest buying an extended warranty covering everything except wear items. One owner advised checking whether the alternator has been replaced before purchase.
Owners say this generation suits buyers who prioritize comfort, style, and a smooth daily drive over outright performance, and who are prepared for higher maintenance costs. Buyers should verify service history, oil change frequency, and whether the 48V alternator has been addressed, and should strongly consider an extended warranty. Owners advise checking brake and tire measurements and pulling the manufacturer service requirements to see what is due immediately. One owner noted that a car sitting on the market for a long time is worth haggling over and pairing with an extended warranty. Owners also note the PHEV only makes sense for those with mostly short trips plus occasional long drives, and that used PHEVs risk battery wear if previous owners did not plug them in.
Owners frequently mention the A7's rarity on the road as part of its appeal, with one noting it is rarer to see than an R8 in their area. Several owners praise the virtual cockpit as clear, fast, and less in-your-face than Mercedes or BMW equivalents, though one found the glass display harder to use while driving. Some owners wish the car had physical HVAC controls. The PHEV variant was described as rare and difficult to find, with one owner stating they never saw evidence of a 2022 A7e being sold in the US. Owners also noted the A7 was cancelled for 2026 amid declining sedan sales. Analysis based on approximately 130 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14 | 11 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2021 · seat belts:rear/other:retractorcampaign 21V606000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2021 · tirescampaign 22V034000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
2021 · air bagscampaign 21V159000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
2021 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
2021 · electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge:fuel level float/sensor/sending unitcampaign 22V155000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
2021 · back over prevention:display functioncampaign 22V742000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2021 · electrical systemcampaign 22V861000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
2021 · service brakes, hydraulic:fluidcampaign 23V601000
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.
2021 · electrical system:propulsion system:charging:cable/cord:onboardcampaign 23V842000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
2021 · electrical system: instrument cluster/panelcampaign 25V201000
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.
2021 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
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."
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.