2021 Audi A7 problems
The 2021 Audi A7 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2021 cars, such as rear axle arm nuts and realignment of toe and camber.
2021 Audi A7 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 5 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. One of this car's engines has no documented faults in the versions it uses, but there aren't enough sources to call it reliable either, so it doesn't count towards the engine score. How it is calculated
- Engine5.23 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights8.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2020 Audi A7
- Score: 6.6 → 6.8
- No longer affected by: faulty instrument panel that may obstruct the passenger airbag (rest of the car), airbag impact sensors incorrectly fitted in the front doors (rest of the car) and moisture in the belt-driven starter-generator of the mild hybrid system (rest of the car)
3.0 TDI V6 engine in the 2021 Audi A7
Names: 45 TDI · 50 TDI · 55 TDI
- Buy
3.0 TDI EA897 evo2 (DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEWA, DEWB; 2017-2021)
231–349 hp · DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DDVE, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEND, DEWA, DEWB
A 2024 guide to the A6 C8 reports no current complaints about camshafts or the oil pump in the EA897 family, although there is little history and it keeps the general warning that a chain failure costs several thousand euros.[2]
- Buy
3.0 TDI EA897 evo3 (DMGA, DMGH, DPXA, DPXB, DMGK, DMKC, DMKD; from 2020)
231–344 hp · DMGA, DMGH, DMGK, DPXA, DPXB, DPYC, DPYD, DMKC, DMKD
There are no documented faults of its own in the sources consulted and the A6 C8 guide reports only positive opinions; these are young engines with little history.[1][2]
Faults that affect 2021 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFailing water pump and cooling system leaksOn the 3.0 TDI the water pump can fail and, from 2010, overheat to the point of damaging the engine (the A6 C6 guide cites a service action). Owners also cite coolant leaks from hoses, the regulating valve and the cooler.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearOn the 3.0 TDI V6 the timing chain is at the gearbox end and its tensioner can lose tension: it rattles on a cold start and, if the chain stretches, the timing goes out and the engine is at risk. Replacing it means opening the engine and costs several thousand euros.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector wear (needle seat) and injection faultsGerman guides point to wear of the needle seat of the 3.0 TDI injectors: they stop closing properly, diesel drips into the cylinder and dilutes the oil. Smoke from the exhaust can be the warning, and reports on the 313 hp twin-turbo repeat injection faults.
Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 engine in the 2021 Audi A7
Names: A7 Sportback 55 TFSI quattro
- Buy
3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)
330–354 hp · CZSE, DR, CWGD
We have not found any documented faults of its own in open sources; the German A6 C8 guide says this V6 has not given problems so far, although with few years of use and no high-mileage data.[2]
There are no documented Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 faults that affect 2021 cars.
The Audi A7 C8 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2021 Audi A7
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionRear axle arm nuts and realignment of toe and camberAudi recalled A7s built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the nuts on the eccentric bolt of a rear axle arm could break through stress corrosion. A second campaign corrected geometry misalignments that arose after the first.
- Low severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorFaults with the electric tailgate and the sunroof motorA German guide based on reader experiences lists as problems of the A7 C8 the electric tailgate, the sunroof motors and a 12 V battery too weak for the auxiliary heating, with no figures or campaigns.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Audi A7 reliable?
The 2021 Audi A7 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2021 cars, such as rear axle arm nuts and realignment of toe and camber.
Is the 2021 Audi A7 better than the 2020?
Our score goes from 6.6 in 2020 to 6.8 in 2021. No longer affected by: faulty instrument panel that may obstruct the passenger airbag (rest of the car), airbag impact sensors incorrectly fitted in the front doors (rest of the car) and moisture in the belt-driven starter-generator of the mild hybrid system (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Audi A7?
According to our score, the best is 2026 (9.4/10). The year with the worst score is 2019 (6.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2021 Audi A7 have?
The most important ones documented for 2021 cars are: failing water pump and cooling system leaks (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), rear axle arm nuts and realignment of toe and camber (suspension, medium severity) and faults with the electric tailgate and the sunroof motor (bodywork and interior, low severity).
Own a 2021 Audi A7? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- VW EA897Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A6 C8 (4K): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 September 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A7Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
- List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026