2016 Audi A4: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 11 complaints (63.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
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 | 7 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Engine: 7; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Suspension: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (3). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11312164 · 2020-02-28 (February 28, 2020)
WATER PUMP FAILURE - LEAKING AFTER 47,000 MILES. COOLANT LEVEL DOWN TO MINIMUM LEVEL IN ENGINE
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11312164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11337731 · 2020-07-06 (July 6, 2020)
ONLY 500 MILES FOLLOWING AN AUDI OIL CHANGE, THE OIL SENSOR LIGHT WENT OFF NOTIFYING US TO ADD ONE QUART OF OIL. WE ADDED ONE QUART OF OIL AND CONTINUED DRIVING AND THEN THE LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN. WE CALLED AUDI SERVICE AND THEY TOLD US TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND ADD ANOTHER QUART OF OIL. WE DID AND REPEATED ONE MORE TIME AFTER ANOTHER HOUR (75 MILES). AFTER FILLING THE THIRD TIME AND DRIVING, WHITE SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP 233 MILES FROM WHERE WE WERE. THEY SAID THAT THE O…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11337731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363354 · 2020-10-08 (October 8, 2020)
GEAR SHIFTER PIN BROKE VIN # DOESN'T MATCH MY NAME NOR DMV
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11405958 · 2021-04-01 (April 1, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE DETECTED A BURNING ODOR. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND EPC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION TO REFUEL THEN BACK TO HIS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WHEN HE NOTICED THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE WENT OUT ON IT'S OWN. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED HIS INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (E…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423011 · 2021-06-30 (June 30, 2021)
Rubber boot around the electronic steering rack wore out after only 30k miles. This has caused no warning lights, and very dangerous behaviour from the steering mechanisms. To include the steering wheel locking up mid turn, and the steering wheel "stuttering" due to the electronic motor failing.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448765 · 2022-01-25 (January 25, 2022)
According to TSB 401548, car dealership/manufacture will not provide extended warranty to repair premature wheel bearing due to vehicle VIN not in their system as an affected vehicle. The 2016 A4 has premature wheel bearing as described in the TSB 401548. Covered vehicles are 2016 Audi A4. Faulty wheel bearing may result in loss of control of vehicle and will not pass Pennsylvania State Inspection. This is a safety defect and a wheel bearing should not fail with only 63,000 miles on the vehicle. Please assist. Thank you.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454933 · 2022-03-02 (March 2, 2022)
Brucken motors, I purchased an Audi a4 that was advertised on your Facebook as safe, reliable, and dependent. I came to you with a down payment in hand, stating that I needed a car that drove without issues. I can afford minor repairs, but I wanted something with a clean HISTORY and service RECORD. Zachary Laney, the salesman, claimed that there was nothing wrong with this car. I asked about the headlight and was told, "Oh no, it's just a bulb! I will buy it so you can replace it." Asked about any issues and was told the car was absolutely cl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457543 · 2022-03-20 (March 20, 2022)
The car is completely not safe it seems to have a mind of its own and that’s saying that I’ve maintained everything up to par and it’s still a safety hazard
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457543 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.