Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
225–50K
350–75K
275–100K
12100–150K
1150K+
21 reports with mileage · 30 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
51 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
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…
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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".
NHTSA ODI #756174
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility
SOME ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS: HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND CLIMATE CONTROL, DO NOT FUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
NHTSA ODI #752882
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2001
Air BagsCrash
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #750664
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Electrical SystemVisibility
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. …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #747155
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
Electrical System
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
NHTSA ODI #887509
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2000
Electrical SystemSteering
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 R…
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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
NHTSA ODI #734015
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1999
Power Train
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
NHTSA ODI #783824
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 1999
Structure
THE VEHICLE HIT A STONE BARRIER AT 5MPH AND THE BUMPER FELL OFF. *AK
NHTSA ODI #839536
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1999
StructureFire
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
NHTSA ODI #837246
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1997
Seats
REAR SEAT RESTS ARE TOO HIGH CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY RESULTING IN COLLISION.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Audi A6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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