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The 2016 Audi A6 has 51 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 Audi A6 has 51 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 11 complaints, typically surfacing around 26,698 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 A6 | 52 | 6 |
| 2014 A6 | 41 | 4 |
| 2015 A6 | 22 | 4 |
| 2016 A6 (this page) | 51 | 3 |
| 2017 A6 | 20 | 3 |
| 2018 A6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 A6 | 114 | 7 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
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.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Audi A6 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
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.
⚠ 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.
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 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 →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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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…
The vehicle vibrates heavily when the brakes are applied at highway speeds. No accident has occurred but is of great concern
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…
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.
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
The extra resistance can cause the connector to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 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.
The 2016 Audi A6 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
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.
It scores 7.6 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.