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1996 Audi A6 problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Audi A6 is electrical system, typically around 103,758 miles. It has 1.2 times the complaints of a typical A6 model year.

Typical year1.2x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
51
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
39
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 1996 Audi A6 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    38
  • Visibility
    5
  • Lights
    4
  • Airbags
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Audi A6

Wipers 11Headlights 9

Recalls 2

Air bags: frontalReported October 8, 1997 · 39,300 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 97V175000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported January 29, 1996 · 24,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 96V017000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Audi A6

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Audi A6 39

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 39 bulletins for the 1996 Audi A6

1996 Audi A6 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.8L 6‑cylFWD172319
2.8L 6‑cyl4WD172219

What 1996 Audi A6 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 5, 2018 · Airbags · ME

Takata recall notice to say airbag unsafe

Filed Aug 5, 2016 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · IL

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 96v017000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. Updated 10/18/16*lj

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Acceleration · 114,000 miles · OH

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 for assistance for repair and treated this incident like any other vehicle repair. We were lucky it wasn't worse and we are grateful but I would like to be reimbursed and have the vehicle properly repaired.

Filed Jun 19, 2012 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Apr 1, 2009 · Electrical · 149,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Electrical · 155,000 miles · IN

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 23, 2008 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · MA

Ignition switch gets stuck in on position causing lights, radio, wipers not to function. Starter also remains on causing burn out.

Filed Aug 13, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 100,000 miles · MA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Oct 15, 2007 · Electrical · 112,000 miles · MA

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.

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Questions about the 1996 Audi A6

Is the 1996 Audi A6 reliable?

Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 1996 Audi A6, 1.2 times a typical A6 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Audi A6?

Electrical system, with 38 complaints, typically around 103,758 miles. Next is visibility (5).

How many recalls does the 1996 Audi A6 have?

2 recalls, covering air bags and electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Audi A6 get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Audi A6 range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 23 highway.

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