2016 Audi A6: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10845864 · 2016-03-09 (March 9, 2016)
VEHICLE STUMBLES AND CUTS OFF AT A FEW MOMENTS OF IDLING. IT HAS ALSO LOST POWER AND THE GAINED IT BACK MOMENTS LATER AT RAPID PACE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10845864 at NHTSA ↗
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 10946420 · 2017-01-19 (January 19, 2017)
AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER FAILED AT 5000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10946420 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 11013357 · 2017-08-07 (August 7, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A6. WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER (PAUL MILLER AUDI IN PARSIPPANY, NJ) WHO CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE, CHRIS DEXTER WITH AUDI OF MENDHAM IN MENDHAM, NJ, FROM WHERE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WAS PURCHASED, WAS CONTACTED AND PROMISED TO CALL BACK, BUT DID NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT NO ONE ANSWERED T…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11013357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11019265 · 2017-08-24 (August 24, 2017)
AUDI AMERICA AND ITS DEALERS HAVE FAIL TO ENSURE MY SAFETY AND FIXING MY CAR ISSUES. AUDI AMERICA SOLD ME A LEMON VEHICLE. EVER SINCE I PURCHASE VEHICLE IT HAS HAD ISSUES INCLUDING STABILITY, WHEEL WROBBLY, AND LOST OF HORSE POWER FEELING LIKE THE CAR IS SHUTTING OFF ON FREE WAY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11019265 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 11090249 · 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)
I THINK THE AUDI RECALL NEEDS TO INCLUDE MORE YEARS. IT ENDS AT 2015 A6. I HAVE A 2016 A6 THAT NEEDED TOWED IN MARCH. I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED SMOKING, THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS GONE, AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED IN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS THE SAME AS THE RECALL FOR THE COOLANT SYSTEM THAT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED. THEY REPLACED THE COOLANT SYSTEM IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD ABOUT 26K MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,287 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090249 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V370000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2018-06-04 (June 4, 2018)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V862000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2018-12-05 (December 5, 2018)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi A6 Sedans and 2015 Audi A7 vehicles. The auxiliary heater electrical connector on these vehicles may have been incorrectly inserted into the auxiliary heater, possibly resulting in increased electrical resistance.
Consequence: The extra resistance can cause the connector to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the auxiliary heater connector, replacing the auxiliary heater and connector, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 82C1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V035000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2019-01-16 (January 16, 2019)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
NHTSA campaign record ↗