1997 Audi A6 Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Audi A6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1997 Audi A6. The part named most often is electrical system, with 14 complaints (70% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and engine cooling (1). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Equipment complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system14 70%
- Equipment2 10%
- Engine cooling1 5.0%
- Exterior lighting1 5.0%
- Fuel system1 5.0%
- Seats1 5.0%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.0%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I'm having a problem with the ignition switch on my car - a 97/Audi/Audi A6 white rco129. The key turns too far and you have to shift it back to get the gauges/electrical accessories (wipers, air conditioner, headlights, etc.) to function properly again. Could this be related to the 1994-1996 A6 recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10349494, filed 2010-08, 100,000 milesEquipment: “Numerous electrical failures and malfunctions including replacement of ignition switch, 2 batteries, 2 alternators, A/C fan relays and fans, numerous wiring reroutes ; problems still exist. Car looses electrical power while driving without warning. Cannot be restarted.”
NHTSA complaint #718426, filed 2000-02Engine cooling: “I drive a 1997, A6 Audi quattro station wagon. Over the past 2 winters, I have had 2 very similar incidents. On extremely cold mornings while driving into work the car accelerated on its own. Each time I had to pull off the road, throw the car into neutral and shut to car off.”
NHTSA complaint #10067819, filed 2004-04, 90,000 milesExterior lighting: “Low beam design causes the headlights to be very dim which may cause visual difficulty, and may result in a crash. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #854571, filed 1999-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 105,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Audi A6. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 · sedan | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Audi A6 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| A6 Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro 4WD/AWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro Wagon 4WD/AWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 97V175000Oct 8, 1997Air bags › FrontalCovers: Audi A6 1995–1997, 90 1995–1997, A4 1995–1997 +2 more
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…
- 97V115000Jul 22, 1997Seat belts › Rear/otherCovers: Audi A6 1997, A4 1997
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may not lock properly when engaged, or not remain locked after being engaged.
Recall details for the 1997 Audi A6 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10164518Aug 28, 2019Equipment, Electrical system. This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
- 10163501Jul 22, 2019Equipment. This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19. 2005-2019 A3, 1996-2019 A4, 2008-2019 A5, 1992-2019 A6, 2012-2019 A7, 1997-2019 A8, 2019 E-Tron…
- 10127856Jul 31, 2017Exterior lighting. This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime…
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10128350May 10, 2017Engine. This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.
- 10128222Mar 3, 2017Equipment. Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the…
- 10128009Oct 19, 2016Wheels. This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.
- 10123713Oct 5, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Vehicle will not communicate with diagnostic scan tool or emissions test equipment. Customers may have issues with vehicle passing state IM emissions test programs because the scan tool cannot…
- 10123764Sep 8, 2015Engine cooling. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 15-61 dated July 7, 2015. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an…
- 10128399Jul 7, 2015Engine cooling. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 14-50 dated June 20, 2014. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an…
Other model years of the Audi A6
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 21,002 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 6 | 7,017 | 2 | 5 | 26 | — | Too new |
| 2021 | 18 | 59,000 | 11 | 5 | 26 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 26 | 22,000 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 55 · Typical | Stable |
| 2019 | 114 | 1,000 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 91 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 11 | 11,800 | 2 | 5 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 20 | 14,100 | 3 | 5 | 28 | — | Stable |
| 2016 | 51 | 25,602 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 22 | 71,000 | 4 | 5 | 28 | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 41 | 49,400 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 31 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 52 | 60,936 | 6 | — | 28 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 60 | 69,000 | 8 | — | 28 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 21 | 57,000 | 3 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 17 | 64,000 | 3 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 21 | 82,500 | 4 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 71 | 44,000 | 4 | — | 21 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 53 | 88,500 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 67 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 91 | 86,358 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 35 | 73,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 66 | 79,975 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 88 | 71,145 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 113 | 78,000 | 7 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 148 | 77,040 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 217 | 80,000 | 9 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 130 | 78,500 | 10 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 20 | 95,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 51 | 103,758 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 16 | 118,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
All Audi A6 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Audi A6 have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1997 Audi A6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Audi A6 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 14 complaints (70% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.
Has the 1997 Audi A6 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Audi A6 get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Audi A6 (A6, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Audi A6 reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 105,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.