YearToAvoid

2016 Audi A6 Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 39% of all 2016 Audi A6 complaints (20 of 51), with a median failure mileage of 26,287 miles. Owners most often describe stalling, coolant loss, and water pump failures. NHTSA lists no engine-specific recall tied directly to these complaints in this dataset.

Engine complaints
20
39% of 51
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
26,287 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or shuts off unexpectedly while driving, sometimes at low speed or right after a turn, with the stop/start warning light activating and the steering locking up.
  • Vehicle loses coolant and overheats, triggering a 'stop immediately' message, with some owners reporting smoke and needing a tow.
  • Water pump, water pump seal, or thermostat fails, leading to coolant leaks and the need for coolant system component replacement.
  • At low speeds the vehicle unexpectedly lurches forward or backward during parking maneuvers regardless of gear selected.
  • Owners mention a related fuel rail recall (NHTSA 19v035) for possible fuel leaks and fire risk, separate from the coolant-related complaints.
  • Check engine light stays on continuously, later traced to overheating and a failed thermostat by an independent mechanic.

When 2016 Audi A6 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 9, 2016, latest Sep 10, 2025.

2016 Audi A6 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2016Apr 2018Sep 2019Oct 2021Apr 2023Apr 2024Sep 2025
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Sep 2025; peak Apr 2023 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Audi A6

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by A6 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20103 (18%)
  2. 20112 (10%)
  3. 201216 (27%)
  4. 201316 (31%)
  5. 20146 (15%)
  6. 201510 (45%)
  7. 201620 (39%)
  8. 20175 (25%)
  9. 20187 (64%)
  10. 201932 (28%)
  11. 20201 (4%)
  12. 20214 (24%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20230 (0%)
  15. 20240 (0%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2016 Audi A6?
Engine issues account for 20 of 51 total complaints for the 2016 Audi A6, or 39% of all complaints filed for this model year.
At what mileage do 2016 Audi A6 engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 26,287 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Audi A6 engine?
This dataset lists no related recalls tied to the engine complaints for the 2016 Audi A6, though some owners reference a separate fuel rail recall (NHTSA 19v035).
Did the 2016 Audi A6 engine problems cause any fires or crashes?
NHTSA data shows 2 fire reports and 0 crashes among the engine-related complaints for this model year.
How does the 2016 Audi A6 compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2016 model's 39% share of engine complaints is higher than most other years in the dataset, though the 2018 model year shows a higher share at 64%.

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.