YearToAvoid

2016 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

21/100

#12 most-complained of 15 A4 years

The 2016 Audi A4 ranks 12th out of 15 model years, with a complaint index of 21 and a Best verdict relative to other A4 years. It has 11 complaints, no recalls, and a top problem area of Engine (7 complaints, 64% share).

Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
22 city / 31 hwy

Top 2016 Audi A4 problems

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

  1. Engine7 (64%)
  2. Electrical System3 (27%)
  3. Steering3 (27%)
  4. Brakes1 (9%)
  5. Fuel System1 (9%)
  6. Other1 (9%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)

What owners report

  • Owners report a burning odor followed by fire coming from under the hood after the dashboard warning lights and EPC light illuminated.
  • Some owners describe water pump failures with coolant leaking down at 47,000 miles median mileage.
  • Excessive oil consumption is reported, with owners adding quarts of oil between oil changes and Audi service unable to explain the usage.
  • Steering complaints describe the rubber boot around the electronic steering rack wearing out, causing the steering wheel to lock up or stutter mid-turn.
  • Some owners report a steering malfunction warning in cold weather that stopped the vehicle and disabled steering control.
  • A wheel bearing issue is referenced by owners citing a manufacturer technical bulletin, though dealers reportedly denied coverage for their specific VINs.
2016 Audi A4 complaints: complaints filed per month9Feb 2020Oct 2020Jun 2021Mar 2022Oct 2023
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Oct 2023; peak Mar 2022 (9).

2016 Audi A4 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2016 Audi A4 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other A4 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Good3632026
2015Good4319026
2016Best2111026
2017Avoid8655127.5
2018Avoid7944127

All Audi A4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2016 A4 has a complaint index of 21 and ranks 12th out of 15 A4 model years, giving it a Best verdict relative to other years of this model.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A4?
Engine issues make up 64% of complaints (7 of 11), including oil consumption and water pump failures at a median mileage of 47,000 miles. Electrical system and steering issues each account for 27% of complaints.
Does the 2016 Audi A4 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 Audi A4.
How does the 2016 Audi A4 compare to other years?
The 2016 A4 has a lower complaint index (21) than years like 2020 (100), 2010 (93), and 2017 (86), which are rated Avoid, making 2016 one of the better years for this model.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Audi A4?
The 2016 A4 gets 26 mpg combined (22 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 according to the EPA.

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.