2016 Audi A4 Reliability
The 2016 Audi A4 has 26 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and unknown or other. Compared with nearby A4 model years (2014–2018), it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the A4's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
26
NHTSA owner complaints
0
Recall campaigns
0
Complaints citing a crash
2
Complaints citing a fire
2016 Audi A4 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 model year, filed between 2016 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 31% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 19% |
| Steering | 4 | 15% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 3 | 12% |
| Body structure | 2 | 8% |
| Suspension | 2 | 8% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 8% |
2016 Audi A4 recalls
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2016 Audi A4 in NHTSA's recall database.
How the 2016 compares with nearby A4 years
Verdicts compare these A4 model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 76 | 0 | Engine | Solid |
| 2015 | 44 | 0 | Engine | Better year |
| 2016 (this page) | 26 | 0 | Engine | Better year |
| 2017 | 84 | 1 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2018 | 52 | 4 | Unknown or other | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2016 Audi A4
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2016 Audi A4 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2016 Audi A4 reliability FAQ
Is the 2016 Audi A4 reliable?
The 2016 Audi A4 has 26 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and unknown or other. Compared with nearby A4 model years (2014–2018), it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the A4's typical year.
What are the most common 2016 Audi A4 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Audi A4 are engine (8), unknown or other (5), electrical system (5), steering (4). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2016 Audi A4 have recalls?
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2016 Audi A4 in NHTSA's recall database.
How does the 2016 Audi A4 compare with the 2015 and 2017 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2015 has 44 complaints and 0 recalls (better year); the 2017 has 84 complaints and 1 recall (solid). The 2016 has 26 complaints and 0 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2016 Audi A4?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Audi A4 research
Other Audi A4 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2016 A4, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.