2016 Audi A4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2016 Audi A4 has 11 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls, giving it a complaint index of 16 — the second-best among 20 model years and a Best verdict relative to other A4 years. Engine issues, mostly oil consumption and water pump leaks, are the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 16/100
- #17 of 20 A4 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Audi A4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (64%)
- Electrical System3 (27%)
- Steering3 (27%)
- Brakes1 (9%)
- Fuel System1 (9%)
- Other1 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the engine burning through oil between oil changes, sometimes needing a quart added within a few hundred miles of service.
- Water pump failures caused coolant leaks, with one case reported at 47,000 miles.
- One owner reported a burning odor followed by a fire coming from under the hood while the vehicle was parked, with engine warning lights on beforehand.
- The rubber boot around the electronic steering rack wore out, leading to the steering wheel locking up mid-turn or stuttering.
- Some owners described the steering wheel losing function briefly, with a dash warning for a steering malfunction, particularly in cold weather.
- One owner reported a wheel bearing failing prematurely, citing a technical bulletin covering 2016 A4 vehicles.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Audi A4 reliable?
- Compared to other A4 model years, the 2016 A4 ranks well. It has 11 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 16, rank 17 out of 20 years from worst, and carries a Best verdict.
- Does the 2016 Audi A4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 Audi A4.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Audi A4?
- Engine problems are the top category, making up 64% of complaints, including oil consumption and water pump leaks, with a median failure mileage of 47,000 miles.
- How does the 2016 A4 compare to other years?
- The 2016 A4's complaint index of 16 is much lower than earlier years like 2006 (100) and 2020 (95), which are rated Avoid, making 2016 one of the stronger years for this model.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Audi A4?
- The 2016 Audi A4 gets an EPA-rated 26 mpg combined (22 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050.