The 2014 S7's 4.0T twin-turbo V8 is a spectacular engine when healthy, but catastrophic failures from carbon buildup on intake valves and turbo oil consumption issues plague higher-mileage examples. Transmission and cooling system problems add to ownership anxiety.
Symptoms: rough idle and misfires, loss of power under load, check engine light with multiple misfire codes, complete engine failure requiring rebuild in severe cases
Fix: Direct-injection engines without port injection get severe carbon buildup on intake valves. Preventive walnut blasting every 30-40k miles takes 4-6 hours. If ignored, carbon chunks break loose and score cylinder walls, requiring complete engine rebuild with new pistons, rings, bearings, and sometimes crankshaft work. We've seen complete short block replacements at 70-80k miles on neglected examples. Engine-out rebuild is 40-60 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 preventive cleaning, $15,000-25,000 for rebuild/short block
Turbocharger Oil Consumption and Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1000 miles or more), blue smoke on startup or acceleration, loss of boost pressure, turbo whine or grinding noise, oil in intake tract
Fix: Turbo seals fail from heat cycling and oil coking. Engine burns oil through turbos into combustion chambers. Often both turbos need replacement simultaneously. Each turbo is 8-10 hours labor, but you're doing both plus cleaning intake system. Some engines have enough wear that new turbos just mask deeper piston ring issues.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000 for both turbos with OEM parts
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: harsh shifting or slipping, transmission fault warnings, transmission fluid in coolant (milky reservoir), coolant in transmission (burnt fluid smell), catastrophic transmission failure if cross-contamination ignored
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, mixing coolant and ATF. Requires new oil cooler, complete transmission fluid flush (often multiple flushes), and transmission inspection. If caught early, 6-8 hours. If contamination damages clutches, you're looking at transmission rebuild or replacement adding 15-20 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,500 if caught early, $6,000-9,000 with transmission damage
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking on acceleration or deceleration, excessive vibration at idle in gear, transmission shifting harshly, visible sagging or torn rubber on mount inspection
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails from engine torque. Requires lifting powertrain slightly. 2-3 hours labor with proper lift access. Replace both motor mounts while you're in there as they're usually close behind.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000 for trans mount, $1,200-1,800 for all mounts
Fuel System Vapor Issues and Fuel Filter Clogging
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: difficult cold starts, long crank before starting, rough running after fillup, fuel smell in cabin or near tank, check engine light for evap system
Fix: High-pressure fuel system develops vapor lock issues. Fuel filter is integrated into fuel pump assembly in-tank, not serviceable separately on some builds. Pump replacement is 3-4 hours. NHTSA recall addressed some fuel line issues but not all. Evap purge valves also fail frequently.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 for pump assembly, $200-400 for purge valve
Air Suspension Compressor and Strut Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: suspension sag on one corner or entire vehicle, compressor running constantly (can hear under rear seat), suspension fault warnings, harsh ride quality, vehicle won't raise from access mode
Fix: Air struts leak at seals, compressor overworks and burns out. Each strut is 2-3 hours, compressor is 3-4 hours. You'll also need to address air lines if they're brittle. Many owners convert to coil springs ($2k-3k for kit + labor) to avoid repeat failures.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800 per strut, $1,500-2,200 compressor
Coolant Thermostat and Water Pump Failures
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: overheating under load, temperature gauge fluctuations, coolant leaks from front of engine, check engine light for thermostat range/performance, reduced heater output
Fix: Electronic thermostat sticks, water pump bearings fail or impellers crack. Both require front-end teardown on this V8. Water pump is 6-8 hours, thermostat is 4-5 hours. Do both together plus coolant hoses if you're already in there. This is a timing-side job requiring special tools.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800 for both components
Owner tips
Walnut blast intake valves every 30-40k miles religiously — this prevents 90% of catastrophic failures
Check oil level every fillup; if consuming more than 1qt per 2k miles, budget for turbos or deeper work
Inspect transmission fluid and coolant for cross-contamination at every service
Use only VW/Audi 502.00 spec oil, change every 5k miles maximum regardless of monitor
Budget $3,000-5,000 annually for maintenance and repairs after 70k miles
Only buy if you have $5k-10k emergency fund and detailed service records showing carbon cleaning and preventive work — spectacular to drive but financially devastating when neglected.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system; located under rear cargo floor
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2013-2018 Audi S7 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Memory positions lost on replacement; reprogramming via user interface
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · 22V178000
2022-03-23 · PE21009
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 18V370000
2018-06-04
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 Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 18V096000
2018-02-07
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Audi S7 and 2016-2018 RS7 vehicles. The tire information label on these vehicles incorrectly lists the combined maximum weight as 1146 lbs/520 kg, when the correct combined maximum weight is actually 992 lbs/450 kg. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If the operator were to load the vehicle based on information on the tire information label, they could overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire information label, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44N9.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 13V450000
2013-09-23
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi S6 and S7 vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines. Due to manufacturing tolerance issues, a fuel line may leak fuel.
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The safety recall is planned to begin in late October 2013. Owners may contact Audi of America at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this campaign is 20U6/L8.
Performance
Horsepower
420hp
Torque
406lb-ft
0–60 mph
4.5sec
Quarter mile
13.0sec
Top speed
155mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
17mpg
Highway
27mpg
Combined
20mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Curb weight
4,387lb
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Wiper blades
C7 generation sportback/liftback body style, no rear wiper
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2014 Audi S7 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years.