1996 Audi A6 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 75%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,179miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Audi A6, 75% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,179 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1996 Audi A6 check engine light continually come on. Repeated visits to Audi dealer. Spent several hundreds of $ with no sucess. I now visit them every week to have it turned off to come on again and again. I will be thinking of riding of thr car and going back to honda's. They have never failed me.”
NHTSA complaint #10122194, filed 2005-05, 73 miles“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“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“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 milesRelated recalls
- 96V017000Jan 29, 1996Defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured and can cause some electrical accessories to malfunction.Covers: Audi A6 1994–1996, 100 1994–1996, 90 1994–1996 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10164518Aug 28, 2019This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 71% |
| 2025 | 2 | 33% |
| 2021 | 11 | 61% |
| 2020 | 18 | 69% |
| 2019 | 84 | 74% |
| 2018 | 1 | 9% |
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2016 | 8 | 16% |
| 2015 | 3 | 14% |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 13% |
| 2012 | 13 | 22% |
| 2011 | 3 | 14% |
| 2010 | 2 | 12% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% |
| 2007 | 6 | 11% |
| 2006 | 13 | 19% |
| 2005 | 16 | 18% |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% |
| 2003 | 14 | 21% |
| 2002 | 15 | 17% |
| 2001 | 14 | 12% |
| 2000 | 36 | 24% |
| 1999 | 37 | 17% |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% |
| 1997 | 14 | 70% |
| 1996 | 38 | 75% |
| 1995 | 10 | 63% |
Other parts of the 1996 Audi A6
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology