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ProblemsByVin Index / 2016-AUDI-A4 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2016 Audi A4 owner complaints

25 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 6 complaints shown

7 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
11/25/2016 ODI #10927898.0

When attempting to accelerate to enter traffic from a complete stop, & inputting a significant trottle demand, usually engine does not accelerate for several seconds (sometimes it accelerates normally. This is not turbo lag). After nearly causing an accident a couple of times, I cannot rely on required acceleration, and consider this condition very dangerous, and am reluctant to drive the car. It is 8 months old and has amassed less than 5000 miles. This has happened many times, regardless of the car being in normal or sport modes, the last being 11.22.16

10/19/2023 ODI #11550868.0

Car has 69,700 miles. All Audi suggested maintenance has been done. Synthetic oil changed every 5,000 miles (more frequently than Audi 10,000 mile recommendation). At 60,000 mile oil change, engine used 1 qt of oil. At 65,000 miles engine used 2 qts oil. At 69,500 mile oil change engine used 3.5 qts of oil. Audi is not sure this is excessive oil use. Must perform oil consumption test at our expense. Really?!?! Audi solution is for us to pay $8,500 for new pistons and rings. From what I see online, this is a common problem, a manufacturer defect that Audi is unwilling to stand behind. Please share my complaint with Audi USA. Registered a complaint with them also.

07/13/2018 ODI #11111182.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Audi a4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v229000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact did not call a dealer to see if the parts were available; however, the contact mentioned that the recall letter stated that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

07/06/2020 42,000 mi ODI #11337731.0

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 oil gauge was faulty which sent false readings to the computer. They said that this then caused oil to go directly into the catalytic converter thus causing the smoke and fire hazard. Car only has 42,000 miles on it when this happened.

07/02/2018 ODI #11105180.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Audi a4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v229000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (Audi chantilly, 14839 stonecroft center ct, chantilly, va 20151, (703) 956-2100) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

04/01/2021 98,000 mi Fire ODI #11405958.0

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 (engine and engine cooling) and the failure was related to the recall. The insurance company also informed the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA and to have the vehicle towed to an Audi dealer for diagnosis. The dealer and manufacturer were not ma

other 5 complaints shown

10/08/2020 43,000 mi ODI #11363354.0

Gear shifter pin broke VIN # doesn't match my name nor dmv

07/27/2019 57,000 mi ODI #11235269.0

Initially my fuel pump began leaking fuel. Two weeks after replacement, the new Audi factory fuel pump began leaking again and had to be replaced. After the fuel pump was replaced the second time, a large amount of fuel began leaking around the fuel injectors. This was an extreme safety hazard because of the large amount of fuel leaking and falling onto the alternator and other parts.

07/07/2018 19,400 mi ODI #11110017.0

When stepping on the gas on my Audi it takes a while to go it feels like it has no power it also has been shaking really bad especially when going up hill. It has a noise coming from the engine that sounds like when your riding a bike all these problems are while it's in motion in both city streets and highways. The faster I go in the vehicle the more it shakes and the more I hear the noise as well. There is no light indicating that my car has a problem but there definitely is something wrong with my Audi and I don't know what?

06/28/2019 55,000 mi ODI #11228302.0

Fuel pump began leaking at 55,000 mile mark

06/21/2018 ODI #11103075.0

Safety recall 19n4 this recall states that the car can go on fire but they aren't replacing the part till november or december. They suggest parking outside and away from property which isn't an option for me. I suppose to wait 6 month when the car can go on fire? At present I live in a building and park in a garage with many other vehicles - street parking is difficult and Audi will not repair the vehicle sooner or end my lease. *js

steering 3 complaints shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
06/30/2021 ODI #11423011.0

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.

04/19/2018 71,000 mi ODI #11088990.0

The electrical power steering became defective while driving down the road at 75 MPH. The steering wheel locked up and pulled to the right, nearly causing a high speed collision with a semi. The error message "steering is defective, do not drive vehicle" displayed and has not gone away.

03/20/2022 ODI #11457549.0

Ok before my previous incident it must’ve been 2 weeks ago that my car just sped up and broke on it’s on on a 65 mile road it’s to the point that I’m very hesitant to drive the car but it’s my only means of commute it’s just a total safety problem and I don’t feel safe one bit

electrical 2 complaints shown

4 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
09/07/2018 ODI #11128009.0

Air system is putting out excessive debris and particles . Computer mmi does not work. Can not log into to Audi portal propertly and sync. My software. Never received my recall on the electrical system wiring. Had it at the dealer for services multiple times and problem not resolved. Keeps reoccurring

07/09/2018 36,000 mi Fire ODI #11110339.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Audi a4. Upon activating the air conditioner, an abnormal burning odor emerged from the vents. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was not available.

airbags 1 complaint shown

11/06/2017 ODI #11043912.0

Takata recall still no remedy available for vehicle

lighting 1 complaint shown

08/12/2016 35,000 mi ODI #10895451.0

Lights just "dip" and turn off while driving.... Have to manually turn lights off and turn back on while driving. Have replace balasts and bulbs as dealer recommended. Still dips, and turns off.. "very serious" problem.

suspension 1 complaint shown

07/06/2026 ODI #11748467.0

Rear Suspension cross- member. Extensive corrosion hidden behind stone guard trapping dirt and moisture. I would not have known the rust was there if the stone guard had not come apart from the cross member I cannot trust the safety of this vehicle until it is repaired Audi requires a dealer inspection at the cost of the consumer. Audi Suspension cross member components are the same for many models. The Allroad should be included in the class action lawsuit.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

05/16/2022 88,000 mi ODI #11464872.0

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking. The EPC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with cylinder #4 failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

Showing 300 of 25 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Audi/A4#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-07-26. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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