RoadVitals

2016 Audi A4

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Oct 19, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Audi A4, most frequently naming the engine, steering and electrical categories. 449 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine741.2%
  • Steering317.6%
  • Electrical317.6%
  • Suspension15.9%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Brakes15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2023

Car has 69,700 miles. All Audi suggested maintenance has been done. Synthetic oil changed every 5,000 miles (more frequently than Audi 10,000 mile recommendation). At 60,000 mile oil change, engine used 1 qt of oil. At 65,000 miles engine used 2 qts oil. At 69,500 mile oil change engine used 3.5 qts of oil. Audi is not sure this is excessive oil use. Must perform oil consumption test at our expense. Really?!?! Audi solution is for us to pay $8,500 for new pistons and rings. From what I see online, this is a common problem, a manufacturer defect that Audi is unwilling to stand behind. Please share my complaint with Audi USA. Registered a complaint with them also.

NHTSA ID
11550868
Incident
Sep 28, 2023
Steering
Filed Feb 12, 2023

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 intimidating to know that your steering wheel could quit at any time we got stranded and took it to a dealer and they said that the steering rack computer had failed and could not get the part for at least a month since they had so many of these vehicles having the exact same issue in the United States the dealership stated that the other three dealers locally to them all were waiting on the same exact part for the same problem they charge us $6,000 to repair it I would think that if so many of the same vehicles are having the same problems that there's no parts available in the country that it should be a recall and the manufacturer should be responsible for the issue what can we do?

NHTSA ID
11506847
Incident
Dec 23, 2022
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Mar 20, 2022

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

NHTSA ID
11457549
Incident
Feb 27, 2022
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 20, 2022

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

NHTSA ID
11457543
Incident
Mar 19, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2022

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. Zachary Laney, the salesman, claimed that there was nothing wrong with this car. I asked about the headlight and was told, "Oh no, it's just a bulb! I will buy it so you can replace it." Asked about any issues and was told the car was absolutely clean. Sure enough, less than a week after I bought it, it started acting up. I took it to the mechanic to remedy the issue, paid out of pocket even though I was sold a warranty (mistake number two on your part) that I was told would cover most issues. My mechanic is experienced and has taken care of many cars, and sure enough, the issue was not fixed. It was only covered up with makeup per say. I gave it another chance and the vehicle broke down again. This vehicle, which mind you, I put a 4000 dollar down payment on, pay a 17!!!! percent interest rate even though I was told 7 and lied to on paper, is costing me over 470 a month for just the payment. Let alone the repairs. I haven't driven the car a month. Literally. I've paid on it for four months, and it's been in the shop. I let you guys know this and was ignored constantly. I was told that the check engine codes were cleared at one point which means that you KNEW this vehicle was bad. ONTOP of it all, this car was STOLEN and had title ISSUES. THERE WAS ALSO MINOR DAMAGE and a LONG service history

NHTSA ID
11454933
Incident
Oct 30, 2020
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 25, 2022

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 wheel bearing may result in loss of control of vehicle and will not pass Pennsylvania State Inspection. This is a safety defect and a wheel bearing should not fail with only 63,000 miles on the vehicle. Please assist. Thank you.

NHTSA ID
11448765
Incident
Dec 20, 2021
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2021

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 ID
11423011
Incident
Jun 28, 2021
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2021
Fire reported

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 COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE WENT OUT ON IT'S OWN. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED HIS INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUDI DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11405958
Incident
Mar 25, 2021
Mileage
98,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2073747_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.

SM 01-2026

ENGINE

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2034863_5

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides infomraiotn when there is a gearbox malfunction message in the instrument clostuer; DTC P0706; vehicles with 0AW gearbox.

TSB_2074640_3

ENGINE

This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025000
2024200
2023100043.4
2022630
2021114065.1
20201273048.0
2019101059.4
2018441049.2
2017541040.6
2016Viewing110035.5
2015190046.4
2014310032.2
2013240044.8
2012190039.7
2011110027.6
2010640031.8
20091202047.1
20081754050.8
20071963046.5
20062953047.0
20052194049.4
20041893150.9
20032104049.2
20021812050.4
20011313157.3
2000965358.5
19991907559.8
19982586559.0
1997988462.0
1996896356.1
1995120

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.