Research · Compact Cars

2007 Audi RS 4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2007 Audi RS 4. Most complaints involve suspension (2) and air bags (1). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2018
Owner complaints
4
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 22, 2018NHTSA 18V427000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 11, 2017NHTSA 17V032000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2009 – Aug 2016
  1. Suspension2
  2. Air bags1
  3. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RS 4 model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

2 reports
“SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILURE LEADING TO LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBER. PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED BY AUDI AS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOCKS REPLACED UNDER THEIR CAMPAIGN, "43A9 DYNAMIC RIDE CONTROL SUSPENSION SERVICE". AFTER NEW SHOCKS THE CAR DOES NOT TRACK CENTER, PULLING TO RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ERRATIC SWAYING/SHIMMYING OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. STEERING AND SUSPENSION FEELS LOOSE AND NERVOUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS; CAUSING FREQUENT LANE EXCURSIONS. AUDI DENIES ANY DEFECT IN "IMPROVED SHOCKS" OR IN REPLACEMENT PROCESS (IE NO SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT INCLUDED). AUDI PROPOSES THAT THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR AN ALIGNMENT JOB OUT-OF-POCKET. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2010SuspensionODI 10349127

Air bags

1 report
“I'M BEING TOLD BY AUDI THAT THERE WILL NEVER BE A FIX FOR THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE LIMITED EDITION OF THIS VEHICLE. WE OWE $32,000 ON THIS STILL, SO THIS ISN'T FAIR! WE NEED COMPENSATION AND CAN'T USE THIS TO DRIVE AS A FAMILY VEHICLE, OR A WORK VEHICLE! THE TAKATA AIRBAGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND EVEN IF THEY WERE, AUDI SAID THEY AREN'T REPLACING THEM AT OUR DEALER. AUDI CORPORATE DOESN'T RETURN OUR PHONE CALLS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2016Air bagsODI 10894418

Electrical system

1 report
“IT STARTED ABOUT EIGHT THOUSAND MILES WHERE I NOTICED A LITTLE HESITATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ONE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER FELT HESITATION AGAIN AND LOSS OF POWER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TWO IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER FELT HESITATION AGAIN BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER ABOUT SEVEN TIMES OR MORE TO TELL THEM WHAT I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH THE CAR,BUT THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THE CAR IS FINE. I REPLACED ALL IGNITION COILS AND IT RAN A LITTLE BETTER FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I DO HAVE THE OLD IGNITION COILS. I THEN RECEIVED A VOLUNTARY RECALL LETTER SAYING THAT MY CAR COULD HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS. MEAN WHILE MY CAR HAS GOTTEN WORSE. ACCELERATING THE CAR IS REALLY BAD. THERE IS NO POWER,THERE IS A LOT OF KNOCKING AND PINGING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE. SHIFTING IS HARSH AND NOT SMOOTH BECAUSE CANNOT ACCELERATE. WHEN I LET GO OF THE GAS,LIKE WHEN I SHIFT GEARS, THE CAR LOSES ITS SPEED VERY QUICKLY. IT FEELS LIKE I'M PUSHING THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. PEOPLE DRIVING BEHIND ME STAY REALLY FAR BACK BECAUSE OF HOW FAST MY CAR DECELERATES. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2010Electrical systemODI 10345000
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RS4
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
132015$5,000592
  • RS4
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    13 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Audi RS 4 as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 RS 4 questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Audi RS 4 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 13, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Audi RS 4 problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (2), air bags (1), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Audi RS 4 get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Audi RS 4 at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026