BestCarRank
Audi

2013 Audi S7

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Audi S7 has 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 19. The most common issue is engine problems (84% of all complaints), specifically: failure of both turbos while driving through a rural section of town. very rough idle and subsequent stall of engine while in traffic. unable to re-start or drive without keeping the gas pedal depressed making it very difficult to regulate speed and negotiate traffic. later found out the turbo fai. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

19

Total Complaints

3

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 4 of 4)

ENGINE

16 complaints
84%
  • FAILURE OF BOTH TURBOS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RURAL SECTION OF TOWN. VERY ROUGH IDLE AND SUBSEQUENT STALL OF ENGINE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO RE-START OR DRIVE WITHOUT KEEPING THE GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REGULATE SPEED AND NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC. LATER FOUND OUT THE TURBO FAI
  • BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 77,000 MILES ON IT AND WHEN I REACHED 81,000 MILES MY TURBO CHARGER FAILED. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE, SO COMMON IN FACT, THAT THERE'S BELIEF THERE MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR. BELOW IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE. WHILE GOING COMING BACK FROM THE
  • BLOWN TURBOS RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I HAD TO PAY LABOR OF $10,500 AND WARRANTY PAID FOR NEW ENGINE. HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. VEHICLE IN GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

FAILURE OF BOTH TURBOS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RURAL SECTION OF TOWN. VERY ROUGH IDLE AND SUBSEQUENT STALL OF ENGINE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO RE-START OR DRIVE WITHOUT KEEPING THE GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REGULATE SPEED AND NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC. LATER FOUND OUT THE TURBO FAI

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Audi S7

Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 72K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
0
30-60K
2
60-100K
12
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
1

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 72K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
12
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION04/06/2018

Volkswagen 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.

Risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Volkswagen 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Audi S7

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,401
Per month
$200
Per mile
20.0¢
MPG
20
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,824/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Audi S7

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,971
Full coverage / month
$164
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi S7 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2013 S7, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 19 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: FAILURE OF BOTH TURBOS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RURAL SECTION OF TOWN. VERY ROUGH IDLE AND SUBSEQUENT STALL OF ENGINE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO RE-START OR DRIVE WITHOUT KEEPING THE GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REGULATE SPEED AND NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC. LATER FOUND OUT THE TURBO FAI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: I HEARD A POP SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOSS A LOT OF POWER. I CALLED THE AUDI DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT IN. I LEFT IT WITH THEN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WENT TO PICK IT UP AND THE PROBLEM STILL EX

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SUSPENSION: J197 module is always falling the car is 26,000 and the suspension goes bad need readapt few times They need to check that module

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2013 Audi S7. The contact purchased the vehicle from a private seller on [XXX]. The contact stated that the seller's advertisement and the odometer indicated that the mileage was 115,000. The Carfax report indicated that the odometer mileage was 220,000. The vehicl

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
19
Recalls
3
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
19

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Audi S7