2016 Audi A6 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (9) · Power Train (5) · Fuel/Propulsion System (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A6 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
24 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail 2019-01-16 · campaign 19V035000 · 74,881 vehicles
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:wiring 2018-12-05 · campaign 18V862000 · 845 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2018-06-04 · campaign 18V370000 · 139,249 vehicles
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,018)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,018 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-29 · Unknown Or Other“there is a recall out for “2016 audi a6 vehicles” the recalls are “fuel system rail” as well as “coolant pump”. 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…”
2025-12-30 · 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 abnorm…”
2025-09-10 · 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 w…”
2025-03-25 · Power Train“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…”
2024-11-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“engine area of car caught fire with ignition off…”
2024-05-02 · Electrical System · 49,000 mi“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 en…”
2024-04-16 · Power Train“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 w…”
2024-03-28 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“i am the original owner of my vehicle and have had my vehicle maintenance done at niello audi in sacramento, ca. in may 2023, the forward facing camera on my 2016 audi a6 stopped working. the dashboard error message was "acc and audi braking guard unavailable". as a result, the automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping…”
2024-01-12 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“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. the camera system has now stopped working all together resulting in the s…”
2023-11-27 · 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 stated they are doing 1-2 a week and audi knows it's an issue as they ar…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.