There is a recall out for “2016 Audi A6 vehicles” the recalls are “fuel system rail” as well as “coolant pump”. Both recalls are vin specific and what I find to be devastating is that both recall risk pertains to possible fire! I have the exact issues with my vehicle I even have the epc light coming on and the code is “fuel rail system” I also have an ongoing issue with my coolant system. I have documentation that I’ve paid out of pocket to take care of these issues, however being that there is no current open recalls under my vin number I do not believe mechanics know exactly what to do to fix the issues. The vehicle is misfiring, shutting off and the EPC code is stating “fuel system rail” along with the coolant leaking. I have a [XXX] daughter and to be such an expensive vehicle, I thought I would feel safe and valued. I’ve worked as a service BDC manager for years and at other dealerships when a situation like this would occur, we still wanted them to bring the vehicle into the dealership and if it was in fact relatable to the recall we would take care of it, regardless to it being “vin specific”. There is a such thing as “silent recall”. I really hope that you all can take this as an emergency case and help with such terrible situation. Thank you so much. I can be reached at [XXX] my name is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2016 Audi A6 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine19
- Fuel system9
- Airbags8
- Electrical8
- Transmission5
- Brakes4
- Acceleration3
- Driver assistance3
- Body2
- Steering2
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Audi A6
Recalls 3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
Recall number 19V035000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi A6 Sedans and 2015 Audi A7 vehicles. The auxiliary heater electrical connector on these vehicles may have been incorrectly inserted into the auxiliary heater, possibly resulting in increased electrical resistance.
- Risk
- The extra resistance can cause the connector to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the auxiliary heater connector, replacing the auxiliary heater and connector, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 82C1.
Recall number 18V862000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
- Risk
- If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
Recall number 18V370000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Audi A6 1,025
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Diagnosed and confirmed malfunction of the vehicle’s AEB system that resulted from failure or malfunction...
- This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).
- This bulletin proides service information when there is a prompt to take over the steering wheel (hands...
- This bulletin provides information when the starter battery is discharged or malfunctioning.
- This bulletin provides information to aid in diagnosing the vehicle locking system.
- This bulletin provides information when the engine is not runing smoothly; all gas engines.
- This bulletin provides information on VIN plates, Safety Certification labels, and ordering procedures.
- This bulletin provides infomraiton when the exterior lights have moisture accumulation.
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has...
2016 Audi A6 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl Diesel | AWD | 25 | 38 | 30 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 28 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22 | 32 | 25 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | AWD | 20 | 29 | 24 |
What 2016 Audi A6 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I own a 2016 Audi A6 3.0T. After filling the fuel tank completely, the vehicle only traveled approximately 190–200 miles before the fuel gauge indicated empty. This represents a sudden and significant loss of fuel range compared to normal operation. There are no warning lights, check engine lights, fuel smells, visible leaks, rough idle, or abnormal noises. The vehicle operates normally otherwise. The issue appears to involve excessive fuel consumption or incorrect fuel management without any driver warning. This condition poses a potential safety risk because the vehicle may unexpectedly run out of fuel while driving, which could result in loss of power in traffic or on highways, increasing the risk of an accident. The issue has been observed repeatedly after refueling. At the time of this report, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer or independent repair facility, but diagnostic evaluation is planned. Based on owner research and symptoms, the issue may be related to a fuel system, engine management, or emissions-related component malfunction that does not trigger a warning indicator. No prior warning messages or lamps were displayed before or during the occurrence.
The water pump on my 2016 Audi A6 has failed multiple times prematurely. The first water pump failed at 36,965 miles in May 2019. That repair was covered under an extended warranty I purchased. The second water pump failed around 83,000 miles in September 2025, and Audi is now quoting me $2,350 out of pocket to replace it. I am now facing a third water pump replacement, which is far earlier than expected for this type of component. These repeated failures create a significant safety concern, as sudden coolant loss can cause the engine to overheat, potentially leading to engine failure or loss of power while driving. Each problem has been diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Audi service center. The vehicle was inspected by Audi technicians, and repairs were recommended both times. The repeated failure of this critical component strongly suggests a systemic defect with the water pump design on this model. Despite a recent Audi water pump settlement, my vehicle was excluded, even though it has now experienced two failures and is requiring a third replacement.
This vehicle had a claim for water pump replacement and the 3.0 model has a recall for the turbo charger. This vehicle is experiencing the same issues and went from 70 mph to 0 and stalled on the freeway. Thankfully the semi and other vehicles were able to avoid me or my family would be reaching out instead of me. Currently the vehicle is parked in my garage because it is unsafe to drive. Can you please advise Audi to take responsibility and offer the same recalls on the 2.0 vehicles for the water pump and turbo charger because they have the same internal parts as the 3.0 vehicles that failed and these parts were covered.
Engine area of car caught fire with ignition off
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of motive power and stalled. During the failure, the message Electric Power Control "EPC" was displayed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electric wiring harness located in the engine compartment had failed due to moisture intrusion and the harness along with an internal computer needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000.
I took the vehicle into a repair shop because the check engine light is on. I was advised that the water pump is leaking and it needs to be replaced along with the thermostat. The turbo charger assembly also needs to be replaced. Both of these items appear to be deficient and were listed under recent recalls on similar Audi vehicles and this VIN was not included in either recall. However, it appears to be a similar concern and should be resolved by the Manufacturer.
I am the original owner of my vehicle and have had my vehicle maintenance done at Niello Audi in Sacramento, CA. In May 2023, the forward facing camera on my 2016 Audi A6 stopped working. The dashboard error message was "ACC and Audi braking guard Unavailable". As a result, the automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and cruise control stopped working. In June of 2023 I took the vehicle in to the above named dealer and they indicated that the front facing camera would need to be replaced but they could not do so because the part in on back order. The part number is 4H0907217FX. Ever since June 2023, the dealer has indicated that the part is still on back order and unavailable. Today March 28, 2024, I contacted AUDI USA and was informed that Audi stopped making that part and it is no longer available. I have been waiting almost a year for Audi to correct this to no avail. The part in question is tied to several safety systems (emergency braking, collision warnings, etc.) and I feel that my vehicle is unsafe to drive. Obviously, this concerning safety issue affects all Audi owners in the United States and I think Audi should immediately be required to fix this safety issue.
The camera associated with the adaptive cruise control and collision warning systems thought there was an object in the road multiple times while on active cruise control. This resulted in the brakes being engaged - could have been rear ended very easily causing an accident. The camera system has now stopped working all together resulting in the safety systems being disabled entirely as well as the cruise control. After researching the issue and talking to the dealership I have found the camera to be a very common part failure with all Audi's. I can't even get the part there is such a large demand for repairs.
While driving the car, the steering column failed, making the car unable to steer. Mileage 81,312. The error message was Steering Malfunction, do not drive. and you could not turn the wheel. The independent service center confirmed and replaced the steering column. They stated they are doing 1-2 a week and Audi knows it's an issue as they are stocking the column. The repair cost me $5,000.00. There was no warning until it didn't work.
Compare the 2016 Audi A6
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Questions about the 2016 Audi A6
Is the 2016 Audi A6 reliable?
Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 2016 Audi A6, 1.2 times a typical A6 model year.
What is the 2016 Audi A6 year score?
The 2016 Audi A6 scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A6: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Audi A6?
Engine and cooling, with 19 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles. Next is fuel system (9).
How many recalls does the 2016 Audi A6 have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, electrical system and air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Audi A6 get?
Official estimates for the 2016 Audi A6 range from 24 to 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl diesel, AWD) gets 25 city and 38 highway.
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