1996 Audi A6 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe ignition switch faults, where the key sticks or does not return to the run position and lights, wipers, turn signals or climate controls stop working. Many complaints say the vehicle's VIN fell outside the ignition recall range, so the dealer declined the repair, and some say the symptoms returned after an earlier recall repair. Where mileage is listed, most values fall between about 40,000 and 155,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition recall not applied due to VIN range

   • 24 complaints (47%)
   • median 105,601 mi at 11.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe ignition switch symptoms that they believe match recall 96V017000, but say their vehicle identification number (VIN) fell outside the recall range, so the dealer declined the repair. Some complaints say the recall repair was done years earlier and the same symptoms returned, and others say the dealer could not show repair records. According to complaints, the manufacturer said the vehicle had already been repaired or that the VIN was not included in the campaign. Some owners say they paid for repairs themselves. Where mileage is listed, reports run from about 42,500 to 155,000 miles, and some complaints describe a recall repair done years earlier.

   Recall 96V017000

   What to check: Check the VIN against the ignition recall 96V017000 before buying. If the VIN is outside the range, ask the seller for documentation of any ignition switch replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1996 Audi A6 has a faulty ignition switch as descirbed in NHTSA campain id number : 96v017000, which applies to my car's model year. However my vehicle's VIN number seems to fall right outside the range described by Audi as the affected range, Audi USA refuses to take care of the problem under their recall program. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10104204, filed 2004-12

   “The ignition switch does not turn back to motor position after engaging the starter. The internal spring (from the ignition switch), is not operating properly. Anytime I start the car I have to be careful to rotate the key in the motor position; if I do not do this, the starter remains engaged after the engine is on.I have contacted the dealer (Audi/porsche in middleburg heights oh 44130) to replace the switch as a recall, but I as told the recall is only for cars older than 1996.”

   NHTSA complaint #761189, filed 2002-04
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Lights, wipers and climate controls cut out

   • 28 complaints (55%)
   • median 107,879 mi at 10.4 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 1996–2016

   Owners describe headlights, turn signals, wipers, horn, climate control, radio and interior lights failing intermittently or not working after the engine is started. Some say the items came back after the vehicle was turned off and restarted, and others say driving over a bump switched them all off. Some complaints say the car could still be driven with the wipers and lights out of service. Some complaints tie these failures to the ignition switch. Where mileage is listed, these failures run from about 40,000 to 142,000 miles, and some describe them at startup or when the key is turned.

   Recall 96V017000

   What to check: During a test drive, turn the key through each position and check that the headlights, turn signals, wipers, climate controls and interior lights respond. Ask whether the ignition switch was replaced and whether the work was documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10205648, filed 2007-10, 112,000 miles

   “Battery explosion occurred. Two weeks prior to battery explosion, vehicle ignition switch would not return completely from start position to run position when the engine is started. It was necessary for the driver to manually return the key to the run position. When the key was between start and run position, turn signals and air conditioning would not operate. When turning the ignition switch to start the vehicle on august 4, 2004, battery exploded. Battery in this vehicle is positioned underneath rear seat passenger side. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10086231, filed 2004-08, 127,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch sticks or will not return to run

   • 16 complaints (31%)
   • median 109,722 mi at 10.0 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe an ignition switch that does not return to the run position after the engine starts, sticks in the on or start position, or keeps the starter engaged. Some say the key stayed stuck after the car was turned off, and in some cases they had to turn the key back by hand. Some complaints describe the starter grinding or burning out, and the instrument panel indicators not lighting. According to complaints, the dealer replaced the ignition switch in some cases, and some owners were told the repair falls outside the recall. Where mileage is listed, reports run from about 40,000 to 149,000 miles, and some describe the problem as sudden with no warning beforehand.

   Recall 96V017000

   What to check: Turn the key through every position and confirm it returns to run, and that the starter disengages once the engine is running. Ask whether the ignition switch has been replaced and check the VIN against the recall range for 96V017000.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After driving and when vehicle was turned off key stuck in the ignition. When this happened, the signal lights/ head lights and air conditioner didn't work.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051822, filed 2003-12, 50,000 miles

   “Orginial owner had recall done for ignition switch. Problem reoccurred. Without warning, the ignition switch would sometimes stick and keep the starter engaged. Other times, the A/C, radio and lights would not go on although the vehicle was running. Consumer had to manually set the key in a position that would turn the items on. On several occasions driving over a bump would turn all electircal items off.”

   NHTSA complaint #8011489, filed 2002-06
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Stalling or no-start tied to ignition switch

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 8.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2012

   Owners describe the engine stalling or failing to start because of the ignition switch, sometimes when the key is jiggled. A complaint describes headlights switching on and off by themselves before the vehicle stalled. Another describes intermittent starting problems along with instrument failures. Some complaints say the problem was identified but the vehicle was not covered by the recall, so the owner paid for repairs. Where mileage is listed, these stalls and no-starts run from about 42,500 to 149,000 miles, and a complaint notes the problem happened more than once.

   Recall 96V017000

   What to check: During a test drive, start the engine from cold and watch for stalling or dash warnings, and ask whether the ignition switch was replaced. Check the VIN against the ignition recall range, since some complaints describe repairs refused for this reason.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle stalls due to a faulty ignition switch. Sometimes vehicle will not start. Also, stalled when jiggling the keys. 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10042729, filed 2004-01, 42,500 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10089507, filed 2004-08

Buying note. The complaints center on ignition switch faults and on whether a given car falls inside the ignition recall range. Before buying, check the VIN against that recall and ask for documentation showing the ignition switch was replaced.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 42 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.