NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Audi A6 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Audi A6 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 51 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Audi A6, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1996 Audi A6 owner complaints

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Audi A6, describing incidents dated June 11, 1998 to December 31, 2017.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 38 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 5 complaints
  • Equipment 4 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 4 complaints
  • Air Bags 3 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints

Of the 51 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11060713 · Filed

    TAKATA RECALL NOTICE TO SAY AIRBAG UNSAFE

  • ODI #10893605 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #10874904 · Filed

    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.

Read all 51 complaints

VW/AIR BAG GROUND CONTACT WIRE

NHTSA #97V175000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 8, 1997 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 39,300 vehicles

Owners notified October 13, 1997 · Vehicles built July 1, 1994 – September 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Electrical System — Ignition — Switch

NHTSA #96V017000 · NHTSA notice

Reported January 29, 1996 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 24,000 vehicles

Owners notified April 23, 1996 · Vehicles built January 1, 1994 – December 1, 1995 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Notes

SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION; SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Other Audi A6 model years

Check your 1996 Audi A6 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A6 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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