Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2016 Audi A4 with NHTSA between 2020 and 2023.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 24 of 28 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 7
Against the median year of the Audi A4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 29
5.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2016 Audi A4
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
738.9%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 47,000 mi
Steering
316.7%
Electrical System
316.7%
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
Median failure at 43,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
15.6%
Suspension
15.6%
Brakes
15.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2020peak 9Oct 2023
Recalls on the 2016 Audi A4
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201817447,704 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TFSI engine, the electric coolant pump could experience a short circuit and/or overheat. A short circuit or overheating of the pump could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will unplug the electric coolant pump and update the coolant pump software to mitigate the risk of fire as an interim measure. When parts become available, dealers will replace the electric coolant pump, and install an updated coolant pump software.
Recall 201748337,066 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the contacts within the electrical connector of the auxiliary heater could corrode. This could cause the auxiliary heater to fail and/or cause the wires to overheat and melt. If the wires were to melt, it could lead to an open circuit and/or overheating, which could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and update vehicle software as necessary.
Recall 201700247,704 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TFSI engine, the coolant pump could become blocked by debris from the cooling system. This could lead to the pump overheating and could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update vehicle software which deactivates the power supply to the coolant pump if the pump becomes blocked with debris. The driver will be notified of the blocked coolant pump through the illumination of the Electronic Power Control (EPC) lamp.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 98,000 milesElizabethtown, KYFire
ENGINE
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 complaint #11405958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Villa Hills, KY
ENGINE
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 complaint #11550868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Great Falls, MT
STEERING
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 complaint #11506847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythe, CA
STEERING
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 complaint #11457549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythe, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11457543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythe, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11457549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythe, CA
ENGINE
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 complaint #11457543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythe, CA
ENGINE
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 complaint #11457549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythe, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11457543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11454933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, IN
ENGINE
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 complaint #11454933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, IN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #11454933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York Haven, PA
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11448765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York Haven, PA
SUSPENSION
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 complaint #11448765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11423011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesElizabethtown, KYFire
ENGINE
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 complaint #11405958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesCartersville, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GEAR SHIFTER PIN BROKE VIN # DOESN'T MATCH MY NAME NOR DMV
NHTSA complaint #11363354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesOverland Park, KS
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 DID AND REPEATED ONE MORE TIME AFTER ANOTHER HOUR (75 MILES). AFTER FILLING THE THIRD TIME AND DRIVING, WHITE SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP 233 MILES FROM WHERE WE WERE. THEY SAID THAT THE OIL GAUGE WAS FAULTY WHICH SENT FALSE READINGS TO THE COMPUTER. THEY SAID THAT THIS THEN CAUSED OIL TO GO DIRECTLY INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THUS CAUSING THE SMOKE AND FIRE HAZARD. CAR ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #11337731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesCincinnati, OH
ENGINE
WATER PUMP FAILURE - LEAKING AFTER 47,000 MILES. COOLANT LEVEL DOWN TO MINIMUM LEVEL IN ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11312164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.