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2016 Audi A6

GasDiesel
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
62 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA51
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA30 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Audi A6 is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel midsize car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the A6 quattro, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 51 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
A6GasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243428$2,750
A6 quattroGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223225$3,100
A6 quattroGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl202924$3,250
A6 quattroDieselAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo253830$3,000

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36113, 36133, 35996, 36055.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Audi A6 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

24DP
74,881 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.FixAudi 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V035000reported Jan 16, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
!critical

Electrical System

82C1
845 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskThe extra resistance can cause the connector to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V862000reported Dec 5, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

74D5
139,249 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskIf the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V370000reported Jun 4, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
51complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 10 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Engine17
Air Bags10
Electrical System8
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Power Train5
Forward Collision Avoidance5

What owners describe

“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 wi…”May 2, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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…”Apr 16, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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 coll…”Mar 28, 2024 · Forward Collision Avoidance · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other A6 model years

A

2026 Audi A6

1 recalls · 8 complaints

B

2025 Audi A6

2 recalls · 6 complaints

A

2024 Audi A6

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2023 Audi A6

1 recalls · 3 complaints

D

2022 Audi A6

5 recalls · 4 complaints

F

2021 Audi A6

12 recalls · 25 complaints

F

2020 Audi A6

9 recalls · 33 complaints

F

2019 Audi A6

7 recalls · 114 complaints

C

2018 Audi A6

2 recalls · 11 complaints

D

2017 Audi A6

3 recalls · 20 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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