1996 Audi A6

Routine

Owners filed 51 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Audi A6 years to avoid. Which Audi A6 years to avoid →

Most common 1996 Audi A6 problems

35 of the 51 complaints (69%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch23
000
Electrical System4
000
Electrical System › Ignition3
000
Air Bags · airbags3
100
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers2
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages1
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Structure › Body › Door · body and frame1
010
Structure › Body › Bumpers · body and frame1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal97V175000
Filed Oct 8, 199739,300 vehiclesVolkswagen of America,inc

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Risk. ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch96V017000
Filed Jan 29, 199624,000 vehiclesVolkswagen of America,inc

Defect. DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.

Risk. SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 2018ME

TAKATA RECALL NOTICE TO SAY AIRBAG UNSAFE

Electrical System
Filed Aug 5, 2016125,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAME INOPERABLE IN VARIOUS POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V017000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 17, 2016125,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 17, 2014114,000 milesOH

ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 11TH 2014, MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL WHEN HER VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. SHE BELIEVES SHE WAS GOING BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND TOPPED OUT AT 70 BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO SLOW DOWN. SHE STATED TO ME AFTER THE INCIDENT THAT SHE HAD TO PRESS BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK HER CAR TO FRIEND'S HOUSE, DROPPED HER OFF AT SCHOOL AND TOOK HER VEHICLE TO SUNNY SIDE AUDI IN MIDDLEBURG OHIO. THEY FOUND THE SPEED CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $800 AND $1000 TO REPAIR. I PAID THEM $138.00 TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE $138 ISN'T GOING TO BREAK ME BUT THEN AGAIN BREAKING ME IS WHY I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. I HAVE GIVEN THIS INCIDENT A LOT OF THOUGHT; WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, HOW LUCKY WE ARE THAT MY DAUGHTER DIDN'T PANIC AND THEN I REALIZED THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN LIKELY MANY MORE 1996 AUDI A6'S OUT THERE AND WHO KNOWS OTHER AUDI'S IN GENERAL WITH THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL SET UP THAT IS INSTALLED IN OUR CAR THAT HAVE OR WILL MALFUNCTION. I AM HOPING THAT SOMEONE WILL LOOK INTO THIS INCIDENT. YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO INSPECT OUR VEHICLE. I WAS SURPRISED BY THE RESPONSE OF THE SUNNY SIDE AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY OFFERED US NO SUPPORT OR AVENUE F

Electrical System
Filed Jun 19, 201240,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE ON POSITION ON ITS OWN. THE KEY REMAINED IN THE STARTING POSITION, CAUSING SEVERAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY BACK MANUALLY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE FROM THE STARTING POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE SAME INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 1, 2009149,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STARTER WOULD DISENGAGE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT RELEASE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,063.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 29, 2008155,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. HE ASKED FOR THE REPAIR RECORDS, BUT THEY WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V017000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS DO NOT ILLUMINATE, AND THERE IS A LOUD CRACKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155,000. UPDATED 02/10/09 *BF WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION DIDN'T SPRING BACK. THE STARTER MADE A CRACKING NOISE WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE CLIMATE CONTROL AND AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 02/11/09. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 23, 2008125,000 milesMA

IGNITION SWITCH GETS STUCK IN ON POSITION CAUSING LIGHTS, RADIO, WIPERS NOT TO FUNCTION. STARTER ALSO REMAINS ON CAUSING BURN OUT. *TR

Equipment
Filed Aug 13, 2008100,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND TURN SIGNALS. BASED ON THE VIN, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 096V17000 IN 1996. THEY ARE OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ONLY ONCE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 15, 2007112,000 milesMA

1996 AUDI A6 IGNITION GETS STUCK AND STARTER STAYS ON. LIGHTS, AIR, WIPERS, ETC, WILL NOT WORK. THIS PROBLEM WAS A MAJOR RECALL ON OTHER AUDIS OF THE SAME YEAR BUT MY VIN # DOES NOT SHOW UP FOR SOME REASON. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Mar 12, 2007MI

I WAS DRIVING AN 1996 AUDI A6 ON HIGHWAY 95 IN FLORIDA AT ABOUT 7PM ON THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2007. TRAVELING ABOUT 73 MPH. THE LEFT FRONT TIRES TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE ITSELF. THIS CAUSED ME TO DANGEROUSLY SWERVE IN TRAFFIC. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAW A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, THE BUMPER AND SIDE PANELING. I CALLED THE POLICE BUT THEY WERE NOT COOPERATIVE AND DID NOT WRITE AN ACCIDENT REPORT SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY OWN CAR BY MY OWN CAR. BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING ABOUT $150 ALSO THERE IS AN ESTIMATED $4000 WORTH OF DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 20, 2006WA

1996 A4 HEADLAMPS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. ***NAR*** *TS RECALL 06V403 REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH SEEMS TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE HEADLAMP AND WIPER FAILURES. THE 1996 A4 HAS BEEN RECALL BUT NOT THE A6. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 12, 2006142,000 milesWA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE TURN SIGNAL, HEADLIGHT, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER FAIL TO OPERATE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED, THE COMPONENTS WERE FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. A NHTSA RECALL, #96V017000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE YEARS AGO CONCERNING, THE IGNITION SWITCH HOWEVER; THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 27, 2006107,445 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT RETURN AUTOMATICALLY TO THE RUN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY TWIST THE IGNITION CYLINDER BACK INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA RECALL # 96V017000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN A DIFFERENT STATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

Electrical System
Filed May 26, 200573 milesME

MY 1996 AUDI A6 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY COME ON. REPEATED VISITS TO AUDI DEALER. SPENT SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF $ WITH NO SUCESS. I NOW VISIT THEM EVERY WEEK TO HAVE IT TURNED OFF TO COME ON AGAIN AND AGAIN. I WILL BE THINKING OF RIDING OF THR CAR AND GOING BACK TO HONDA'S. THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED ME.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 21, 2004SC

MY 1996 AUDI A6 HAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AS DESCIRBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIN ID NUMBER : 96V017000, WHICH APPLIES TO MY CAR'S MODEL YEAR. HOWEVER MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER SEEMS TO FALL RIGHT OUTSIDE THE RANGE DESCRIBED BY AUDI AS THE AFFECTED RANGE, AUDI USA REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM UNDER THEIR RECALL PROGRAM. THE PROBLEM IS CLEARLY THE ONE TARGETED BY THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND SO I SUSPECT THAT AUDI USA DELIBIRATELY UNDERSTATED THE RANGE OF CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM SO AS TO SAVE THEMSELVES THE COST OF ADDRESSING IT PROPERLY AND HONESTLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 16, 2004CO

IGNITION SWITCH IS CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS/INTERIOR LIGHTS/HEAT, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. DEALER WILL REPAIR AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Sep 9, 2004NY

"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT REMAINS ON DESPITE REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALER. FIRST IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FAILED "VACCUM LINE," BUT THREE MONTHS LATER THE SAME "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME BACK. CORRECTIVE MEASURES HAVE SINCE INCLUDED THE CHANGE OF: OXYGEN SENSORS, FUEL LINES, AND A NEW BATTERY. THE LIGHT IS STILL PERMANENTLY ON, ALTHOUGH NO NOTICABLE DRIVABILITY IS AFFECTED.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Sep 8, 2004103,758 milesPA

CLIMATE CONTROL AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK UPON START-UP UNLESS THE IGNITION KEY IS "JIGGLED" INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS AND UNFORTUNATELY, MY VIN # IS JUST OUT OF THE ORIGIANL RECALL RANGE OF RECALL #96V0117000. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 23, 2004WA

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN DETERMINED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 96V017000 FOR IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER INFORMED MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 5, 2004NY

CONSUMER VEHICLE'S EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 96V017000. DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, AND COULD CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.*AK THE STARTER REMAINED ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. *NM

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Aug 5, 2004127,000 milesVA

BATTERY EXPLOSION OCCURRED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO BATTERY EXPLOSION, VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT RETURN COMPLETELY FROM START POSITION TO RUN POSITION WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE DRIVER TO MANUALLY RETURN THE KEY TO THE RUN POSITION. WHEN THE KEY WAS BETWEEN START AND RUN POSITION, TURN SIGNALS AND AIR CONDITIONING WOULD NOT OPERATE. WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE ON AUGUST 4, 2004, BATTERY EXPLODED. BATTERY IN THIS VEHICLE IS POSITIONED UNDERNEATH REAR SEAT PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED FOR ROOT CAUSE OF BATTERY EXPLOSION AT LOCAL NON-AUDI SERVICE CENTER.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 26, 2004NY

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 96V017000. DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, AND COULD CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION. *AK STARTER STAYED ENGAGED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ALREADY RUNNING. *LA

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 10, 200491,000 milesUT

IGNITION SWITCH IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AND CONSEQUENCE DESCRIBED IN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V01700. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 19, 2004IL

CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED IGNITION SWITCH. (NAR) *LAB LIGHTS, HEAD LAMPS, HEATER & AC FUNCTIONS, WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD FAIL UNPREDICTABLY. *CB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 23, 2004100,600 milesTX

IGNITION SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. WATER PUMP STOPPED WORKING. (WAS REPLACED 40,000 MILES AGO). *LA

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 15, 200442,500 milesIL

VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALSO, STALLED WHEN JIGGLING THE KEYS.*AK THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE THE RANGE, THEREFORE THE CONSUMER PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. RECALL#96V017000. *JB *NM

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Dec 19, 200350,000 milesMI

AFTER DRIVING AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE SIGNAL LIGHTS/ HEAD LIGHTS AND AIR CONDITIONER DIDN'T WORK. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 12, 200397,000 milesAZ

THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH GOES PAST THE ACCESSORIES AND CAUSES SOME ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Oct 15, 200359,800 milesMA

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY RAIN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE CAME LOOSE. *LA

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 2, 200360,000 milesNJ

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH IGNITION SWITCH AS STATED IN RECALL 96 V 017 000. BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 17, 2003CT

NHTSA#96-V-017-000: DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 22, 2002NJ

CONSUMER STATED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL#96V01700 IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. TS

Air Bags
Filed Oct 23, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIR BAG COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Sep 23, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY CAUSING TURN SIGNALS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT TO WORK.*JB

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Sep 19, 2002CT

IGNITION SWITCH WOULD FAIL TO GO INTO ORIGINAL POSITION. ALL THE ACCESORIES WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE. STARTER WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THIS FAILURE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Sep 13, 2002CA

MFR# KB & NHTSA# 96 V 017 000/IGNITION SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MALFUNCTION OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS THE HEAD LIGHT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 27, 2002IL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96/V/017/000. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK JLG

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 11, 2002PA

ORGINIAL OWNER HAD RECALL DONE FOR IGNITION SWITCH. PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK WITHOUT WARNING, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SOMETIMES STICK AND KEEP THE STARTER ENGAGED. OTHER TIMES, THE A/C, RADIO AND LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY SET THE KEY IN A POSITION THAT WOULD TURN THE ITEMS ON. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DRIVING OVER A BUMP WOULD TURN ALL ELECTIRCAL ITEMS OFF. *TT

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 25, 2002OH

THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT TURN BACK TO "MOTOR" POSITION AFTER ENGAGING THE STARTER. THE INTERNAL SPRING (FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH), IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. ANYTIME I START THE CAR I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO ROTATE THE KEY IN THE MOTOR POSITION; IF I DO NOT DO THIS, THE STARTER REMAINS ENGAGED AFTER THE ENGINE IS ON.I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER (AUDI/PORSCHE IN MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS OH 44130) TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AS A RECALL, BUT I AS TOLD THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR CARS OLDER THAN 1996. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Dec 29, 2001PA

VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER UNDER NORMAL DRIVING ON LEVEL ROAD. ABOUT THE 8TH TIME IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. INITIALLY CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSORS WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO RUN "LEAN". UNKNOWN CAUSE OF CURRENT PROBLEM. BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF POWER IS LOST WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER TRAFFIC OR HIGHWAY OR LOSS OF POWER DURING TRAVEL ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE DOES NOT STALL, RPMS DROP WHEN ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED AND RETURNS TO "IDLE" RPMS WHEN RELEASING ACCELERATOR. CONSTANT "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT".

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Oct 3, 2001CO

SOME ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS: HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND CLIMATE CONTROL, DO NOT FUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Aug 17, 2001NY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Jun 20, 2001OR

THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AND DRIVEN WITH THE HORN, DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS, WINDSHIED WIPERS, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS NOT WORKING. AUDI (BOTH THE DEALER AND NATIONAL) DOES NOT THINK IT IS A PROBLEM TO HAVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT INOPERABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT DID NOT FEEL THEY NEEDED TO INFORM CUSTOMERS. THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE IGNITION SYSTEM FIXED.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 4, 2001TX

96 V 017 000/IGNITION SWITCH: INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH STARTING, AND INSTRUMENT FAILURE DURING OPERATING OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE SWITCHES BUT WAS NOT ON RECALL. *YH

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Oct 11, 2000NY

COMPLETE POWER RACK & PINION STEERING REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, APPROXIMATELY $1,000. CAR HAD RECIEVED ALL REQUIRED CHECKUPS SINCE NEW BY VARIOUS AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALERSHIPS AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IF SYSTEM NOT REPLACED MAY HAVE LED TO MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM. NO LOSS OF LIFE OR DAMAGE SUSTAINED. SYSTEM FLUID LEAKAGE RESULTED IN ABNORMAAL NOISE AND THEN BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT. IGNITION SWITCH STUCK ON ENGINE START POSITION

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Nov 12, 1999NJ

VEHICLE DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE O-RING IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAKED OUT ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS JUST UNDERNEATH, THE FLUID BEGAN TO SMOKE AS IT HIT THE HOT METAL, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *ET

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Jun 14, 1999NJ

THE VEHICLE HIT A STONE BARRIER AT 5MPH AND THE BUMPER FELL OFF. *AK

Structure › Body › DoorFire
Filed Apr 29, 1999FL

VEHICLE PARKED. NEIGHBOR NOTICED VEHICLE IN FLAMES, EARLY IN MORNING & NOTIFIED FIRE DEPARTMENT. WAS INFORMED FIRE STARTED DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE DOOR PANEL ON DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Oct 15, 1997NY

REAR SEAT RESTS ARE TOO HIGH CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY RESULTING IN COLLISION.

Complaints 1-50 of 51, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267000Routine
20256200Routine
20243100Routine
20232100Routine
20222500Routine
2021181100Routine
202027900Routine
2019114710Routine
201811210Routine
201720300Routine
201651320Routine
201522400Routine
201441400Routine
201352620Routine
201260800Routine
201121300Routine
201017310Routine
200921400Routine
200871410Routine
200753400Routine
200667410Routine
200591320Routine
200435420Routine
200366750Routine
200288431Fatalities reported
2001113770Routine
2000148480Routine
19992179232Fatalities reported
19981301070Routine
199720240Routine
1996 — this page51210Routine
199516200Routine
19942100Routine

Compare every A6 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 8, 1997. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.