1996 Audi A6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
103,758 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 46 complaints (54.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 23.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.2% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 25 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 25; Electrical System: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Air Bags: 3; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 5; 2002: 8; 2003: 5; 2004: 12; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10024197 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047862 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH GOES PAST THE ACCESSORIES AND CAUSES SOME ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042729 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 42,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089507 · 2004-08-23 (August 23, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10874904 · 2016-06-17 (June 17, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10572985 · 2014-03-17 (March 17, 2014)
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 SC…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10572985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734015 · 2000-10-11 (October 11, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734015 at NHTSA ↗