2016 Audi A6 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 33%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,644miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Audi A6, 33% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,644 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I think the Audi recall needs to include more years. It ends at 2015 A6. I have a 2016 A6 that needed towed in march. I was driving and the car started smoking, the engine coolant was gone, and the car had to be towed in. The problem seems the same as the recall for the coolant system that was just announced. They replaced the coolant system in march of this year. My vehicle only had about 26k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11090249, filed 2018-04, 26,287 miles“Ok purchased the car october 2019, immediately noticed a burning smell, in the car. Took out to Audi multiple times ask if there was a leak, before the warranty ran out. They said no, now a year later my check engine light has come on. One diagnostic done at jiffy lube read a code that says it is the computer auxiliary output. Took the car to Audi to do a second diagnostic, they said its the thermostat, and coolant pump. My car is not ever heating and the heat and air work fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11395680, filed 2021-02, 38,000 miles“Vehicle has shut off while driving. Vehicle has shut off while at a stop light; would not immediately restart. Fiddled with the gears, put in park. Got vehicle to start after about 30-60 seconds. 30-60 seconds is a significant amount of time at a stop light that has just turned green. This has happened 3 times. Enter vehicle; start; put in reverse or drive to exit my driveway; car has shut off while attempting to exit driveway, 4 times; warning/prompting me to put it in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #11180999, filed 2019-02, 33,000 miles“My wife was slowing this car down to make a right turn on a busy expressway, after she made the turn, the engine suddenly shut off and the 'stop/start deactivated manually restart your car light came on. The steering well was locked, the car dead on the street, the interior lights and radio were working normally, her seat belt was buckled, all doors were closed. Thankfully the other drivers did not hit our car, she was able to restart the car after 2 minutes and we drove home without further incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11072020, filed 2018-02, 23,000 miles“When operating at low speeds the vehicle will sometimes unexpected lurch forward or backwards depending on if the transmission is in forward or reverse. I have automatic transmission. This often happens in maneuvers such as parking or backing into or out of a garage parking place. It happens when the transmission is in forward or reverse and typically when the driver's foot is on the brake and you are slowly easing into or out of a place like a parking spot or garage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11124339, filed 2018-09, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036867Aug 21, 2026This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- 11034657Jun 26, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
- 11034728Jun 10, 2026This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
- 11029368Feb 20, 2026This bulletin provides information on the use of the Audi frequencly analysis app, and where the application can be downloaded.
- 11029367Feb 20, 2026This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
- 11028398Jan 14, 2026This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
- 11027356Dec 11, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
- 11016532Mar 12, 2025This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 11012476Dec 5, 2024This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
- 11009928Oct 8, 2024This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2021 | 3 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 32 | 28% |
| 2018 | 7 | 64% |
| 2017 | 4 | 20% |
| 2016 | 17 | 33% |
| 2015 | 6 | 27% |
| 2014 | 5 | 12% |
| 2013 | 15 | 29% |
| 2012 | 13 | 22% |
| 2011 | 2 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 6% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 6% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2016 Audi A6
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology