In february 2019 I received a recall letter, NHTSA 19v035, from Audi telling me my car may have a defect in the fuel rails which could leak fuel causing a fire! I immediately contacted my dealer Audi of wallingford ct and put my name on a waiting list for repair. I have now been waiting seven months and despite several calls to the service dept, it has not been fixed. They tell me they are not…
2016 Audi A6 engine problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Audi A6, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Audi A6 we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
Engine accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The water pump on my 2016 Audi A6 has failed multiple times prematurely. The first water pump failed at 36,965 miles in May 2019. That repair was covered under an extended warranty I purchased. The second water pump failed around 83,000 miles in September 2025, and Audi is now quoting me $2,350 out of pocket to replace it. I am now facing a third water pump replacement, which is far earlier than…
When operating at low speeds the vehicle will sometimes unexpected lurch forward or backwards depending on if the transmission is in forward or reverse. I have automatic transmission. This often happens in maneuvers such as parking or backing into or out of a garage parking place. It happens when the transmission is in forward or reverse and typically when the driver's foot is on the brake…
The engine caught fire without being used for 24 hours before
During annual oil change inspection the mechanic found that the coolant was leaking and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The car has under 48000 miles.
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Audi A6?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Audi A6?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 26,698 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Audi/A6.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.