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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-AUDI-A6 NHTSA data synced 17 hours ago
2016 · Audi

Audi A6 problems

51 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

2016 Audi A6
Photo: Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Audi A6
0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 A6?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2016 Audi A6? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 26,698 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2016 Audi A6

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
11 reports · fails ~26,698 mi · avg $3,100
severe
airbags
7 reports · fails ~22,667 mi · avg $1,100
moderate
electrical
5 reports · fails ~23,765 mi · avg $850
severe
powertrain
5 reports · fails ~73,500 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
brakes
4 reports · fails ~25,167 mi · avg $450
moderate
fuel system
3 reports · fails ~59,120 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2016 A6's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2016 A6?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 A6 · steering
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…
12/09/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11496814.0
2016 A6 · brakes
The vehicle vibrates heavily when the brakes are applied at highway speeds. No accident has occurred but is of great concern
12/08/2019 · at 33,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #11287720.0 · see brakes pattern →
2016 A6 · steering
While driving the car, the steering column failed, making the car unable to steer. Mileage 81,312. The error message was Steering Malfunction, do not drive. and you could not turn the wheel. The independent service center confirmed and replaced the steering column. They…
11/27/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11557040.0
2016 A6 · body
Problem#1 fuel door clip suddenly stopped closing, therefore I couldn't fully close it. Problem #2 trunk latch stuck, therefore I have to get into the trunk using the rear seats, then releasing the latch from inside. All this happened within 1 year of financing the vehicle.
11/18/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11375203.0
View all 51 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2016 Audi A6? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 18V862000 December 5, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

The extra resistance can cause the connector to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Audi A6 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Audi A6 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2016 Audi A6?

On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Audi A6 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2016 Audi A6?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 11 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,698 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2016 Audi A6 a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 51 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 26,698 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Audi A6?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 11 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,698 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 26,698 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Audi A6 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Audi A6?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 51 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 17 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Audi/A6. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Audi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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