2016 Audi A6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
25,603 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 51 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 17.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 17 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Engine: 17; Air Bags: 8; Electrical System: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Power Train: 5; Service Brakes: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 10; 2019: 7; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 5; 2023: 9; 2024: 5; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10860975 · 2016-04-22 (April 22, 2016)
GOT A WARNING LIGHT THAT ADAPTIVE CRUISE AND BRAKING WERE NOT AVAILABLE. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THERE WAS A SEAM IN THE BODY THAT WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. I HAVE 6500 MILES ON MY CAR. THEY SAID THAT WATER WAS LEAKING IN ON ELECTRICAL MODULES. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10972115 · 2017-04-12 (April 12, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND PULSATED. THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10972115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515926 · 2023-04-07 (April 7, 2023)
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated that while refueling, the gas nozzle would frequently stop, causing gasoline to leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that the fuel tank sensor needed to be moved to another location on the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair; however, the contact declined to seek a second opinion. The contact was assured by the dealer that the vehicle was safe to be driven. A few days after leaving the dealer, the vehicle stalled while drivin…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11515926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11586615 · 2024-05-02 (May 2, 2024)
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of motive power and stalled. During the failure, the message Electric Power Control "EPC" was displayed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electric wiring harness located in the engine compartment had failed due to moisture intrusion and the harness along with an internal computer needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11586615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11124339 · 2018-09-04 (September 4, 2018)
WHEN OPERATING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES UNEXPECTED LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARDS DEPENDING ON IF THE TRANSMISSION IS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. I HAVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS IN MANEUVERS SUCH AS PARKING OR BACKING INTO OR OUT OF A GARAGE PARKING PLACE. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE AND TYPICALLY WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE AND YOU ARE SLOWLY EASING INTO OR OUT OF A PLACE LIKE A PARKING SPOT OR GARAGE. THIS CONCERNS ME FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE SINCE A PRIME TIME WHEN THIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11124339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184924 · 2019-03-07 (March 7, 2019)
STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT EXITED ONTO A MULTI-LANE ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC SPEED IS 50 MPH BUT CARS OFTEN DRIVE MUCH FASTER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE BUT STAYED IN FIRST GEAR AND WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO HIGHER GEARS. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO NOT MERGE AT PROPER SPEED WHILE VEHICLES WERE FAST APPROACHING. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT RELEASING AND APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO FIND AN AREA TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND AFTER 15-30 SECONDS, THE CAR BEHAVED CORRECTLY. A SIMILAR SITUATIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463291 · 2022-05-03 (May 3, 2022)
1. Vehicle airbag indicator has illumated. I haven't received a recall letter from manufacturer. Have concerns about driving with airbag light on. 2. There is a recall for electrical wiring. 3. Fuel system/ fuel rail is being recalled.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11463291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072020 · 2018-02-09 (February 9, 2018)
MY WIFE WAS SLOWING THIS CAR DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY, AFTER SHE MADE THE TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE 'STOP/START DEACTIVATED MANUALLY RESTART YOUR CAR" LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WELL WAS LOCKED, THE CAR DEAD ON THE STREET, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND RADIO WERE WORKING NORMALLY, HER SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED, ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED. THANKFULLY THE OTHER DRIVERS DID NOT HIT OUR CAR, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER 2 MINUTES AND WE DROVE HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE STOP/START FUNCTION OFTEN HESITATED W…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496814 · 2022-12-09 (December 9, 2022)
The electronic steering control module failed while the vehicle was stopped. A light came on the dash which stated something like ~"Do Not Drive Major Steering Malfunction" and the steering became almost impossible to turn. The vehicle was towed to an Audi Dealer and repaired at my significant cost. I am suspicious that there is a known defect which has not been acknowledged by Audi. I also own a 2014 Audi Q5 which I received a letter to extend the warranty for this specific issue (see uploaded information). The cover letter states this applies…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11707949 · 2025-12-30 (December 30, 2025)
I own a 2016 Audi A6 3.0T. After filling the fuel tank completely, the vehicle only traveled approximately 190–200 miles before the fuel gauge indicated empty. This represents a sudden and significant loss of fuel range compared to normal operation. There are no warning lights, check engine lights, fuel smells, visible leaks, rough idle, or abnormal noises. The vehicle operates normally otherwise. The issue appears to involve excessive fuel consumption or incorrect fuel management without any driver warning. This condition poses a potential s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11707949 at NHTSA ↗