Model year record

1996 Audi A6

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 71 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V175000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
39,300
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-08
Owners notified
1997-10-13

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V017000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
24,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-29
Owners notified
1996-04-23

Defect description

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

Safety risk

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch25107,445 mi
Electrical system5100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition560,000 mi
Air bags3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner350,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Exterior lighting2100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2114,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1127,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1100,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment1100,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: water heater1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch150,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch150,000 mi
Power train1125,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility1100,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages159,800 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1995 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.