MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

MODEL

Audi RS 7

NHTSA safety across every Audi RS 7 model year we cover.

Across the 5 model years of the Audi RS 7 we cover (2020 to 2024), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 5 recalls have been issued across those years.

THE MOTORCALIBER REVIEW
MotorCaliber editorial Reviewed against NHTSA data 2026-07-02

The Audi RS 7 is a high-performance four-door fastback coupe that sits at the top of Audi's A7 lineup, blending executive luxury with serious sports-car pace. Aimed at affluent enthusiasts who refuse to compromise between practicality and performance, the RS 7 competes in the ultra-premium performance sedan and grand-touring segment against a small, exclusive group of rivals.

The Audi RS 7, covering model years 2020 through 2024, presents a genuinely complicated safety picture for the data-conscious shopper. The most significant gap in our assessment is one that Audi has not filled: NHTSA has not crash-tested the RS 7 in any of the years we cover, meaning there are no federal star ratings or Safety Index scores to anchor a structural safety judgment. For a vehicle in this price tier, that absence is worth noting plainly. On the recall front, five recalls were issued across the covered model years. That figure is not alarming for a low-volume, technically complex performance vehicle, but shoppers should verify whether any open recalls apply to a specific vehicle they are considering, using NHTSA's free VIN lookup tool. Owner complaints are strikingly low at just four total across the entire covered span, with zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among those filings. Keep in mind these are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed incidents. The RS 7's low complaint volume likely reflects both its limited sales numbers and its owner demographic. Bottom line: the RS 7 carries a real safety data gap where crash-test results should be. Buyers should not assume a premium price tag equals a proven safety record.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the RS 7 for its exceptional blend of everyday usability and near-supercar performance, highlighting its refined interior, sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, and dramatic styling. Most consider it one of the most complete performance grand-touring machines available, though its considerable price and complex technology are consistently noted as factors that demand careful consideration.

WHAT TO KNOW
  • The RS 7 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA for any model year from 2020 to 2024, so there are no federal star ratings available. Shoppers cannot rely on government crash-test data to assess structural protection for this vehicle.
  • Five recalls were issued across the 2020-2024 model years. Before purchasing any specific RS 7, run the VIN through NHTSA's free recall database to confirm whether any recall work remains incomplete on that vehicle.
  • Owner complaints are extremely low at just four across the entire covered period, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported in those filings. While this sounds reassuring, the RS 7's low production volume means the complaint pool is inherently small and may not be statistically representative.
  • The absence of crash-test data is not unique to the RS 7 among ultra-low-volume performance vehicles, but it does mean safety-focused shoppers have less objective information to work with here than they would with higher-volume mainstream models. Euro NCAP results, if available for the equivalent European market model, may offer some supplementary context.

Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Audi RS 7 with 2 recalls.

BY YEARRS 7 by model year