Research · Compact Cars

2016 Audi A4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2016 Audi A4. Most complaints involve engine (8) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 24–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
26
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Audi A4 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2016 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine8
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Steering4
  4. Fuel/propulsion system3
  5. Structure2
  6. Suspension2
  7. Exterior lighting2
  8. Engine and engine cooling2
  9. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199692
199799
1998258
1999190
200096
2001130
2002189
2003215
2004189
2005219
2006298
2008191
2009144
201064
201142
201245
2013111
201476
201544
201626
201783
20198
2020158
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

8 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2023EngineODI 11550868

Electrical system

5 reports1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2022Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11457549

Steering

4 reports
“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?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2023SteeringODI 11506847
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S8) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A4
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243127$2,950341
A4 quattro
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223226$3,050343
A4 quattro
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
213024$3,300364
  • A4
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $3,050/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 30 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi A4 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Audi A4 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 10086Vehicle 10085
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 A4 questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Audi A4 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 Audi A4 problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (8), electrical system (5), steering (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Audi A4 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Audi A4 at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Audi A4?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Audi A4 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026