The Audi RS 7 spans 2014–2026 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2021, 2026, 2025 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2014, 2015, 2016. It delivers up to 19 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi RS 7 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2014 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi RS 7 VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi RS 7 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this RS 7.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your RS 7, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi RS 7 have?
The Audi RS 7 has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Audi RS 7 recalls 1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
2025 Audi RS 7 recalls 1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
2024 Audi RS 7 recalls 1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
2023 Audi RS 7 recalls 1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
2022 Audi RS 7 recalls 1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
2021 Audi RS 7 recalls 2
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Best and worst years for the Audi RS 7
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 11 tracked years, the worst years are 2021, 2026, 2025 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2014, 2015, 2016.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 RS 7 | — | Best | |
| 2015 RS 7 | — | Best | |
| 2016 RS 7 | — | Best | |
| 2017 RS 7 | — | Average | |
| 2018 RS 7 | — | Average | |
| 2021 RS 7 | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2022 RS 7 | — | Average | |
| 2023 RS 7 | — | Average | |
| 2024 RS 7 | — | Average | |
| 2025 RS 7 | — | Avoid | |
| 2026 RS 7 | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Audi RS 7 problems?
The most-reported Audi RS 7 problems are Engine (1 reports), Power Train (1 reports) and Electrical System (2 reports) — out of 4 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi RS 7 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Audi RS 7. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi RS 7 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi RS 7 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the RS 7 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 95 cu ft of passenger volume and 25 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi RS 7 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi RS 7 get?
The Audi RS 7 returns up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,050/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2018 Audi RS 7 (4L 8-cyl) gets 17 mpg combined and costs about $4,550/yr to fuel, emitting 512 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 3/10, smog 3/10) — about $11,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 RS 7 | 14 | 24 | $4,550 | 512 | 3/10 | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 2017 RS 7 | 15 | 25 | $4,300 | 497 | 6/10 | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 2016 RS 7 | 14 | 25 | $4,300 | 503 | 6/10 | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 2015 RS 7 | 14 | 25 | $4,300 | 503 | 6/10 | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 2014 RS 7 | 15 | 27 | $4,050 | 472 | 6/10 | 4L 8-cyl |
The 2026 Audi RS 7 (4L 8-cyl Hybrid) gets 16 mpg combined and costs about $4,800/yr to fuel, emitting 545 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 3/10) — about $13,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RS 7 | 14 | 21 | $4,800 | 545 | — | 4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2025 RS 7 | 14 | 21 | $4,550 | 538 | 2/10 | 4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2024 RS 7 | 14 | 22 | $4,550 | 533 | 3/10 | 4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2023 RS 7 | 14 | 21 | $4,550 | 532 | 3/10 | 4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2022 RS 7 | 15 | 22 | $4,550 | 507 | 3/10 | 4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2021 RS 7 | 15 | 22 | $4,550 | 507 | 3/10 | 4L 8-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the RS 7 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this RS 7's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi RS 7 have? Power & range
The Audi RS 7 is offered with 2 powertrains — 4L 8-cyl, 4L 8-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | AWD | Premium |
| Hybrid | 4.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Audi RS 7 cost to own?
A used Audi RS 7 sells for a median of about $49,950 for a 2016 — most listed between $39,999 and $49,950, from 12 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 RS 7 | $39,999–$49,950 | 9 | |
| 2015 RS 7 | $39,900–$41,950 | 3 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a RS 7 is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Audi RS 7 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this RS 7 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $20,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the RS 7 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Audi RS 7 to insure?
A Audi RS 7 costs about $3,693 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 157% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (257, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the RS 7's HLDI loss index. See Audi insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Audi RS 7 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the RS 7 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Audi RS 7 last?
A well-maintained Audi RS 7 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Audi RS 7’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this RS 7’s VIN free →All Audi RS 7 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi RS 7 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RS 7 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2025 RS 7 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2024 RS 7 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2023 RS 7 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2022 RS 7 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2021 RS 7 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2018 RS 7 | 0 | — | |
| 2017 RS 7 | 0 | — | |
| 2016 RS 7 | 0 | — | |
| 2015 RS 7 | 0 | — | |
| 2014 RS 7 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the RS 7?
By owner-complaint volume, 2021, 2026, 2025 drew the most reports. 2014, 2015, 2016 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the RS 7 have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Audi recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the RS 7 get?
Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a RS 7 last?
A well-maintained RS 7 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the RS 7 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the RS 7 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi RS 7 warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi RS 7 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your RS 7's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the RS 7 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.