AI Damage2016 Audi A6: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Audi A6 filed 51 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 809 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 51
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 809
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 16% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 17 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 210.
- Air bags: 8 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 51 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 52 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 210 |
| Air bags | 8 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 28 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 40 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 58 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 43 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 34 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 247 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 33 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Both recalls are vin specific and what I find to be devastating is that both recall risk pertains to possible fire! I have the exact issues with my vehicle I even have the epc light coming on and the code is “fuel rail system” I also have an ongoing issue with my coolant system.
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.
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 center.
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.
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.
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.
As a result, the automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and cruise control stopped working. In June of 2023 I took the vehicle in to the above named dealer and they indicated that the front facing camera would need to be replaced but they could not do so because the part in on…
The camera associated with the adaptive cruise control and collision warning systems thought there was an object in the road multiple times while on active cruise control. This resulted in the brakes being engaged - could have been rear ended very easily causing an accident.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 871 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 41% most complained about).
On average one model year of the A6 has 19 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 51, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer
- This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the…
This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped
- This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning
- This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels
- This bulletin provides information about leather care and seat repair
- This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns
- This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor
- This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless…
NHTSA lists 809 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Flooded 2016 Audi A6 Rebuild Project. Salvage IAA car repair.amount per author: 18,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Audi A6 2016, бензин 3.0, Quattro - 19300$
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 51. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (22%), smoke, burning smell, fire (12%), overheating, coolant loss (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Audi A6?
NHTSA lists 809 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Audi A6 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.