2016 Audi A4
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Audi A4 has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: water pump failure - leaking after 47,000 miles. coolant level down to minimum level in engine. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
18
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
7 complaints- • WATER PUMP FAILURE - LEAKING AFTER 47,000 MILES. COOLANT LEVEL DOWN TO MINIMUM LEVEL IN ENGINE
- • ONLY 500 MILES FOLLOWING AN AUDI OIL CHANGE, THE OIL SENSOR LIGHT WENT OFF NOTIFYING US TO ADD ONE QUART OF OIL. WE ADDED ONE QUART OF OIL AND CONTINUED DRIVING AND THEN THE LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN. WE CALLED AUDI SERVICE AND THEY TOLD US TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND ADD ANOTHER QUART OF OIL. WE D
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE DETECTED A BURNING ODOR. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND EPC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION TO REFUEL THEN BACK TO HIS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WHEN HE NOTICED THERE WAS FIRE C
“WATER PUMP FAILURE - LEAKING AFTER 47,000 MILES. COOLANT LEVEL DOWN TO MINIMUM LEVEL IN ENGINE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
STEERING
3 complaints- • Rubber boot around the electronic steering rack wore out after only 30k miles. This has caused no warning lights, and very dangerous behaviour from the steering mechanisms. To include the steering wheel locking up mid turn, and the steering wheel "stuttering" due to the electronic motor failing.
- • Ok before my previous incident it must’ve been 2 weeks ago that my car just sped up and broke on it’s on on a 65 mile road it’s to the point that I’m very hesitant to drive the car but it’s my only means of commute it’s just a total safety problem and I don’t feel safe one bit
- • We live in Montana where it gets very cold on a regular basis while driving our Audi the steering wheel ceased to function and would not allow us to control the vehicle this occurred three times. A warning on the dash came up that said steering malfunction stopped vehicle but it was very scary and i
“Rubber boot around the electronic steering rack wore out after only 30k miles. This has caused no warning lights, and very dangerous behaviour from the steering mechanisms. To include the steering wheel locking up mid turn, and the steering wheel "stuttering" due to the electronic motor failing.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
3 complaints- • Brucken motors, I purchased an Audi a4 that was advertised on your Facebook as safe, reliable, and dependent. I came to you with a down payment in hand, stating that I needed a car that drove without issues. I can afford minor repairs, but I wanted something with a clean HISTORY and service RECORD
- • The car is completely not safe it seems to have a mind of its own and that’s saying that I’ve maintained everything up to par and it’s still a safety hazard
- • Ok before my previous incident it must’ve been 2 weeks ago that my car just sped up and broke on it’s on on a 65 mile road it’s to the point that I’m very hesitant to drive the car but it’s my only means of commute it’s just a total safety problem and I don’t feel safe one bit
“Brucken motors, I purchased an Audi a4 that was advertised on your Facebook as safe, reliable, and dependent. I came to you with a down payment in hand, stating that I needed a car that drove without issues. I can afford minor repairs, but I wanted something with a clean HISTORY and service RECORD”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
1 complaints- • GEAR SHIFTER PIN BROKE VIN # DOESN'T MATCH MY NAME NOR DMV
“GEAR SHIFTER PIN BROKE VIN # DOESN'T MATCH MY NAME NOR DMV”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
1 complaints- • According to TSB 401548, car dealership/manufacture will not provide extended warranty to repair premature wheel bearing due to vehicle VIN not in their system as an affected vehicle. The 2016 A4 has premature wheel bearing as described in the TSB 401548. Covered vehicles are 2016 Audi A4. Faulty
“According to TSB 401548, car dealership/manufacture will not provide extended warranty to repair premature wheel bearing due to vehicle VIN not in their system as an affected vehicle. The 2016 A4 has premature wheel bearing as described in the TSB 401548. Covered vehicles are 2016 Audi A4. Faulty”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: WATER PUMP FAILURE - LEAKING AFTER 47,000 MILES. COOLANT LEVEL DOWN TO MINIMUM LEVEL IN ENGINE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: Rubber boot around the electronic steering rack wore out after only 30k miles. This has caused no warning lights, and very dangerous behaviour from the steering mechanisms. To include the steering wheel locking up mid turn, and the steering wheel "stuttering" due to the electronic motor failing.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: Brucken motors, I purchased an Audi a4 that was advertised on your Facebook as safe, reliable, and dependent. I came to you with a down payment in hand, stating that I needed a car that drove without issues. I can afford minor repairs, but I wanted something with a clean HISTORY and service RECORD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: GEAR SHIFTER PIN BROKE VIN # DOESN'T MATCH MY NAME NOR DMV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Audi A4 — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Audi A4