YearToAvoid

2016 Audi A4 allroad Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

45/100

#7 most-complained of 12 A4 allroad years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2016 Audi A4 allroad has 15 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 45, and ranks 7th worst of 12 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other years. It has 3 recalls covering the engine coolant pump and electrical auxiliary heater.

Complaints
15
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2016 Audi A4 allroad problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other5 (33%)
  2. Engine4 (27%)
  3. Electrical System3 (20%)
  4. Fuel System2 (13%)
  5. Structure & Body2 (13%)
  6. Airbags1 (7%)
  7. Brakes1 (7%)
  8. HVAC1 (7%)
  9. Steering1 (7%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Air conditioner vents emitted a burning odor at 36,000 miles with no warning lights on and no dealer diagnosis performed.
  • Headlights dipped or turned off unexpectedly while driving at 35,000 miles, persisting even after bulbs and ballasts were replaced.
  • Engine failed to accelerate for several seconds when pressing the throttle from a stop, described as distinct from turbo lag and considered dangerous.
  • Electric power steering became defective at 71,000 miles while driving 75 mph, locking the wheel and pulling the car to the right with a steering warning displayed.
  • Owners with recall 18V229000 reported the replacement coolant pump parts were unavailable, exceeding a reasonable repair wait time.
  • Fuel pump leaked twice after replacement, with fuel later leaking near the injectors onto the alternator, described as an extreme safety hazard at 57,000 miles.
2016 Audi A4 allroad complaints: complaints filed per month6Aug 2016Nov 2017Jun 2018Sep 2018Jul 2019Jul 2026
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2018 (6).

2016 Audi A4 allroad recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V229000Apr 11, 2018Engine342,867 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

    Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

  2. NHTSA 17V622000Oct 5, 2017Electrical System216,913 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.

    Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.

  3. NHTSA 17V002000Jan 3, 2017Engine342,867 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

    Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

2016 compared with other A4 allroad years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid91464—
2015Avoid82254—
2016Good45153—
2017Caution6431525
2018Caution5593—

All Audi A4 allroad years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Audi A4 allroad reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 model has a Complaint Index of 45 and ranks 7th worst out of 12 model years, which earns it a "Good" verdict relative to other A4 allroad years.
What problems does the 2016 Audi A4 allroad have?
NHTSA lists 15 complaints for 2016, with Engine as the top problem area (4 complaints, 27% share), followed by Electrical System (3 complaints, 20% share) and Fuel System (2 complaints, 13% share).
Does the 2016 Audi A4 allroad have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 model: an engine coolant pump recall (18V229000), an electrical auxiliary heater connector corrosion recall (17V622000), and a software update recall for the coolant pump power supply (17V002000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2016 model compare to other A4 allroad years?
The 2013 model has the highest Complaint Index at 100 and is rated Avoid, while 2016 sits much lower at a Complaint Index of 45, making it one of the better years based on NHTSA data.
At what mileage do 2016 A4 allroad problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 45,500 for 2016 overall, with Engine complaints reported at a median of 88,000 miles and Electrical System complaints at a median of 35,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.