2020 Audi A7: common problems and reliability
· C8An average A7 year.
6 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 8 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 A7?The 2020 Audi A7 has 6 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system. Owners most often flag alternator failure: reported as a common fault on earlier model years, expensive to replace, and sometimes covered under warranty.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Audi A7 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other A7 years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the A7?
Across the 9 A7 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2017) to 43 (2019). With 6 complaints, the 2020 A7 sits below the model's median of 14.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 A7
tires
Campaign 22V034000Volkswagen 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.
air bags
Campaign 21V159000Volkswagen 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.
suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
Campaign 21V295000Volkswagen 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 20V274000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi A6, A6 Allroad and A7 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.
Show 4 more recalls
electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge:fuel level float/sensor/sending unit
Campaign 22V155000Volkswagen 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.
electrical system
Campaign 22V861000Volkswagen 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Campaign 23V601000Volkswagen 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V900000Volkswagen 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."
What owners report on the C8 A7
Owners of the C8 A7 largely describe it as a beautiful, comfortable, and enjoyable car to own and drive, with many calling it the best car they have owned and praising its interior, ride quality, and road presence.
- RecurrentAlternator failure
Reported as a common fault on earlier model years, expensive to replace, and sometimes covered under warranty.
- RecurrentRear spoiler sticking in the up or down position
Reported to clear on its own, often linked to dirt, and worsened by manual operation.
- RecurrentVolume knob malfunction requiring removal and contact cleaner
Described as an extremely common problem, with one owner reporting a dealer repair cost of around 1,300.
- RecurrentCooling system leaks, including water pump and hose connector O-ring failures
Reported with crusty residue evidence, dealer disputes over whether a leak exists, and advice to use dealer parts.
- RecurrentBrake and tire running costs
Owners repeatedly note expensive tires, discs, and dealer brake jobs.
Owner insights for the C8 A7. Read the full C8 owner report.
Typical used price
Used A7 listings typically run $13,998–$27,393 across 2012 to 2024 model years.
Other A7 model years
Compare every A7 year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the A7 against its rivals
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