1997 Audi A6

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1997 Audi A6
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:40:21.159Z

Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1997: 20 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1994	2
1995	16
1996	51
1997	20
1998	130
1999	217
2000	148
2001	113
2002	88
2003	66
2004	35
2005	91
2006	67
2007	53
2008	70
2009	21
2010	17
2011	21
2012	59
2013	52
2014	40
2015	21
2016	51
2017	20
2018	11
2019	113
2020	24
2021	15
2022	2
2023	1
2024	0
2025	4
2026	4

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 20 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 of 20 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20051122

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. IT'S A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM. GO TO HTTP://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/SEARCH/ AND PUT 'IGNITION SWITCH' IN AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND YET THERE'S A RECALL ON THE A4, BUT NOT THE A6.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030827

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20000207

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 of 20 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

1997 AUDI A6, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE RIGHT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-0327-89

NHTSA ODI report, 20100322

BATTERY UNDER REAR SEAT SHORTED DUE TO MALFUNCTION OR CONTACT WITH WIRES ON BOTTOM OF SEAT CUSHION DUE TO INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN BATTERY AND CUSHION. FIRE PRECEEDED BY LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND MOON ROOF OPENING AND CLOSING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20011012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 of 20 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

THE REAR SEAT WAS SHIFTED BY THE OCCUPANT TO ATTACH A CHILD'S CAR SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEATBELT MOUNTING BRACKETS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130628

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131224

VISIBILITY

1 of 20 total reports mentions: visibility.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 of 20 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970715 — seat belts

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 97V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971013 — air bags

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

Campaign 97V175000 — check if this car was fixed