CSR

Audi · NHTSA safety record

2016 Audi A6

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

51

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Audi A6 have filed 51 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2016 and March 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 17 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 25,603 miles, the median across the 24 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

19V035000 · January 16, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 74,881 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

18V862000 · December 5, 2018

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

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 845 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

18V370000 · June 4, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 139,249 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 51.

ENGINE 17 33%
AIR BAGS 8 16%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 16%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 12%
POWER TRAIN 5 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2 4%
STEERING 2 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 10.

2016 2018 2026
2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEATS

1 injured · 40,000 miles

MY SMALLISH SIZED PURSE SLIPPED OFF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WEDGED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE FLOOR BOARD BELOW THE DOOR, LANDING ON THE ELECTRONIC SEAT CONTROLS THAT RECLINE THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT RECLINED THE BACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BRIDGE AND COULDN'T PULL OVER OR STOP, SMASHING MY GRANDSON'S LEGS, WHO WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE WAS SCREAMING AND THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ME TO REACH THE CONTROLS TO STOP THE EMPTY SEAT FROM RECLINING, SQUISHING HIM INTO HIS CAR SEAT ! LUCKILY, IT DIDN'T BREAK BOTH OF HIS LEGS, BUT IT COULD EASILY HAVE DONE THAT IF HE'D BEEN A LITTLE BIGGER. AS IT WAS HE WAS TERRIFIED AND SO TRAUMATIZED, I'M NOT SURE I'LL EVER GET HIM BACK IN THIS

NHTSA complaint 11118561, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

The engine caught fire without being used for 24 hours before

NHTSA complaint 11430632. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

Engine area of car caught fire with ignition off

NHTSA complaint 11625896. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER

towed · 15,000 miles

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 THE PHONE. THE JACK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. UPDATED 10/18/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA complaint 11013357. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I own a 2016 Audi A6 3.0T. After filling the fuel tank completely, the vehicle only traveled approximately 190–200 miles before the fuel gauge indicated empty. This represents a sudden and significant loss of fuel range compared to normal operation. There are no warning lights, check engine lights, fuel smells, visible leaks, rough idle, or abnormal noises. The vehicle operates normally otherwise. The issue appears to involve excessive fuel consumption or incorrect fuel management without any driver warning. This condition poses a potential safety risk because the vehicle may unexpectedly run out of fuel while driving, which could result in loss of power in traffic or on highways,

NHTSA complaint 11707949, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 expected for this type of component. These repeated failures create a significant safety concern, as sudden coolant loss can cause the engine to overheat, potentially leading to engine failure or loss of power while driving. Each problem has been diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Audi service

NHTSA complaint 11686225, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
This vehicle had a claim for water pump replacement and the 3.0 model has a recall for the turbo charger. This vehicle is experiencing the same issues and went from 70 mph to 0 and stalled on the freeway. Thankfully the semi and other vehicles were able to avoid me or my family would be reaching out instead of me. Currently the vehicle is parked in my garage because it is unsafe to drive. Can you please advise Audi to take responsibility and offer the same recalls on the 2.0 vehicles for the water pump and turbo charger because they have the same internal parts as the 3.0 vehicles that failed and these parts were covered.

NHTSA complaint 11650550. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

towed · 49,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of motive power and stalled. During the failure, the message Electric Power Control "EPC" was displayed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electric wiring harness located in the engine compartment had failed due to moisture intrusion and the harness along with an internal computer needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000.

NHTSA complaint 11586615. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I took the vehicle into a repair shop because the check engine light is on. I was advised that the water pump is leaking and it needs to be replaced along with the thermostat. The turbo charger assembly also needs to be replaced. Both of these items appear to be deficient and were listed under recent recalls on similar Audi vehicles and this VIN was not included in either recall. However, it appears to be a similar concern and should be resolved by the Manufacturer.

NHTSA complaint 11583388. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Audi A6

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2021 15 11
2020 24 9
2019 114 7
2018 11 2
2017 20 3
2015 22 4
2014 41 4
2013 52 6
2012 59 8
2011 21 3
2010 17 3

Other 2016 Audi models

Every Audi on this site — 147 vehicles, 216 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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