Head-to-head reliability
AUDI S7 vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI S7 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI S7 vs Toyota Camry: The Audi S7 has 28 complaints over 10 years (2.8/year) and 30 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The S7's issues often involve turbos and transmission, while the Camry's include brake and power train problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI S7 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI S7
The Audi S7 is a high-performance luxury car that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 10 years, it has 28 complaints (2.8 per year) and 30 recalls, with engine and electrical issues being the most common. Owners report serious problems like turbo failures and transmission jerking, which can lead to expensive repairs. This suggests that living with an S7 requires a budget for potential major fixes.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan known for reliability, but data shows 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6 per year) and 31 recalls. The high complaint volume includes 171 crash-related incidents and 158 injuries, with power train, engine, and brake issues frequently reported. While many complaints may be for minor issues, the sheer number indicates that not all Camrys are trouble-free. Buyers should still check for common problems like transmission hesitation and brake noise.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI S7 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI S7
- 01ENGINE15
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
- 03POWER TRAIN6
- 04STEERING4
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2
Owners report turbocharger failures, often after highway driving, causing engine shuddering, hesitation, and even engine death. This can strand drivers and lead to costly repairs.
Multiple warnings such as 'electrical failure, ABS failure, start stop failure' appear suddenly, sometimes while driving. This can be distracting and may indicate underlying issues with the car's electronics.
The 7-speed DSG transmission can cause jerking when accelerating from a stop and may fail completely, leaving the car dead. Turbocharger failure is also reported under power train, leading to engine shutdown.
Some owners link steering problems to turbo failures, with symptoms like shuddering and hesitation. This suggests that steering complaints may be secondary to engine issues, but still affect control.
“The car drove normally at highway speed for approximately 4 hours. Upon leaving the highway and attempting to accelerate onto a secondary road into oncoming traffic, the engine shuttered. The car drove erratically for about a mile with hesitation and shutteri…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? blown turbos with new oil strainer from dealer. They said that they replaced it but who knows if they did. My audi had all those symptoms that pull up for this…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, with the check engine light on.
Delayed throttle response is a common complaint, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also report clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which dealers say is common but still concerning.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously, often with warnings. This can overwhelm the driver and reduce safety features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI S7 — 30 recalls
The defect: 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 Occ…
The 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.
The 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.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
The risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattr…
The risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The fix: 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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
AUDI S7 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi S7 has far fewer complaints per year (2.8 vs. 205.6 for the Camry), but its issues tend to be severe and expensive, like turbo and transmission failures. The Camry's higher complaint count includes many minor or repetitive issues, but also some serious ones like brake and power train problems. In practice, the S7 may need fewer visits to the shop, but when it does, the bills can be much higher.
Key differences
- The Audi S7 has 28 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056, but the S7's complaints often involve major components like turbos and transmission.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, compared to 0 crash-related and 1 injury for the S7, though this may reflect the much larger number of Camrys on the road.
- Audi S7 owners frequently report turbocharger failures and DSG transmission jerking, while Camry owners report key stuck in Park, throttle delay, and electronic parking brake issues.
- Both have recalls, but the S7 has 30 recalls (e.g., air bags, engine cooling) and the Camry has 31 (e.g., wheels, seats, air bags), indicating ongoing safety fixes for both.
- Check for turbocharger health: listen for whining, check for oil leaks, and ask for service records showing turbo replacement or oil strainer service.
- Test drive the DSG transmission: look for jerking or hesitation when accelerating from a stop, and ensure it shifts smoothly through all gears.
- Test the ignition key: ensure it can be removed easily when in Park, and check for any sticking or electrical issues.
- Inspect the electronic parking brake: engage and disengage it multiple times to ensure it releases properly and listen for unusual noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for recalls and accident damage.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic specializing in the brand, focusing on known problem areas.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and turbo servicing on the Audi S7.
- Test drive extensively, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate conditions where issues occur.
- Verify that all recall repairs have been completed by checking with a dealer using the VIN.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI S7 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 3 | 157 |
| 2020 | 3 | 274 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 2017 | 6 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI S7 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI S7 vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI S7 total complaints
- 28
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- AUDI S7 total recalls
- 30
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI S7 avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI S7
- AUDI S7 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN