Model year record

1997 Audi A6

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 26 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 97V115000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
12
Reported to NHTSA
1997-07-22
Owners notified
1997-07-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch8116,000 mi
Electrical system390,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition1105,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: engine190,000 mi
Equipment1100,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel/propulsion system1197,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1
Seats1
Vehicle speed control185,200 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior167,000 mi

The 1996 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a fifth 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.