TODAY, I was driving my vehicle when I got multiple warnings including a “electrical failure, ABS failure, start stop failure.” I was on a stretch of road where I could not safely remove myself from traffic and was forced to proceed. Within 5 minutes of receiving the error messages my car shutdown and I was unable to control the car. Horrifying experience. By the grace of god I was able to get the vehicle to the side of road where I had to wait for extended period of time to get a tow vehicle that could accommodate my vehicle and have the vehicle towed to my local dealership. I have just learned that what I experienced is a “known problem,” and that there are a massive amount of Audi’s that are impacted by this “alternator issue.” What I also learned due to this widespread problem, parts availability are extremely limited and the waiting period for my car just to get the parts could be in excess of 6-8 weeks. I also learned that the part replacing the failed alternator is the EXACT same alternator in my vehicle presently and there has been no FIX provided so the chances are what I experienced today can most likely occur again once the replaced alternator fails. I never ever what to go through what I went through today ever again.
The worst 2020 Audi S7 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical2
- Acceleration1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Steering1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical2
- Acceleration1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls 6
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is 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.
- Remedy
- 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 on December 23, 2025.
Recall number 25V900000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
Recall number 22V861000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument panel: fuel gauge: fuel level float/sensor/sending unit
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DN.
Recall number 22V155000 · Recall details
Tires
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Recall number 22V034000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Recall number 21V295000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.
Recall number 21V159000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Audi S7 1,042
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).
- This bulletin provides information when the air spring symbol is illuminated; DTC U112100 or C1260F0.
- This bulletin provides information regarding the current top concerns being addressed by the Audi Digital...
- This bulletin proides service information when there is a prompt to take over the steering wheel (hands...
- This bulletin provides information when the starter battery is discharged or malfunctioning.
- This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi pressense warning, warning jolt, and/or brake...
- This bulletin provides information when therea re functional issues with the connectivity box (low).
- This bulletin provides information to aid in diagnosing the vehicle locking system.
- This bulletin provides information when the engine is not runing smoothly; all gas engines.
- This bulletin provides information on VIN plates, Safety Certification labels, and ordering procedures.
What 2020 Audi S7 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On 10/9/2023, the starter generator failed causing the vehicle to stop and shut down while driving and completely break down. I was not able to move the vehicle or shift it into park. Stall occurred on a freeway entrance (acceleration lane) in the traffic lane without warning. Approximately 20 minutes before this complete failure of the vehicle, the dashboard warning system provided the following warnings in yellow (meaning the car was drivable): (1) electrical system malfunction! Please contact Service; (2) rear spoiler malfunction; (3) traction control malfunction; and (3) Parking aid malfunction. The vehicle also indicated that the collision avoidance system was not operating and the air conditioning system shut down approximately five minutes before the vehicle completely broke down in the traffic lane. I have received the "rear spoiler malfunction" alert 5+ times in the last year; I asked the dealer to check it; and they said there was no record in the onboard computer of the problem.
I have been trying to get this recall remedied since 4/1/22 to no avail. I have been stranded on the side of a busy highway due to the fuel indicator reading 1/3 full but the fuel tank was actually empty. This put me in a significant safety situation where the car slows to unsafe speeds and stops due to lack of fuel. I have contacted Audi Corp for months without success.
Compare the 2020 Audi S7
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Questions about the 2020 Audi S7
Is the 2020 Audi S7 reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2020 Audi S7, fewer than a typical S7 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi S7?
Electrical system, with 2 complaints. Next is acceleration (1).
How many recalls does the 2020 Audi S7 have?
6 recalls, covering back over prevention, electrical system and tires.
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