1997 Audi A6 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 70%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Audi A6, 70% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,500 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“I have a sticky ignition switch, you have to manually turn it back to run or the starter stays engaged. I have not corrected the problem yet. It seems to be a common failure and was a recall item on other models.”
NHTSA complaint #10081110, filed 2004-07, 116,000 miles“Ignition switch stopped working causing the headlights, turn signals, and wipers to stop working. Car still operates and is a danger if driving without turn signals or wipers without knowing. I have noticed this issue has occurred several times with this model and understand the a4 had a recall for this problem the same year. In which the ignition switch has the same part number as the failed switch in the A6 however Audi did not issue a recall for the A6.”
NHTSA complaint #10557136, filed 2013-12, 90,000 miles“Associated with complaint id 345606/recall id#00v317000 Audi 1997 A6 wagon with the same symptoms. I replaced my ignition switch several times and it would stay engaged and the key would get stuck in the ignition. This particular time the car was being started and it burst in to flames. The fire dept put the fire out and I had the car towed to the dealer. Starter was burned up and so is the motormount is as much as I know for now, iam sure there's more. Car is still at dealer and Audi of america (hq) says that they cannot promise me anything. …”
NHTSA complaint #10143460, filed 2005-11“The rear seat was shifted by the occupant to attach a child's car seat to the passenger side rear seatbelt mounting brackets. The spring wires under the rear seat contacted both posts of the battery under the seat, igniting a fire, which spread through the entire rear seat of the car. The suspension wires of the rear seat were burned away by the arc. Based upon the position of the rear seat reported by the witness, the seat wires lined up right on top of the battery terminals. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522252, filed 2013-06Related 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 1997 Audi A6
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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