1996 Audi A6 problems & reliability
51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Audi A6. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 38 | 75% |
| Visibility | 5 | 10% |
| Equipment | 4 | 8% |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 6% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Power Train | 2 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% |
| Seats | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 105,602 miles (middle 50% between 83,250 and 125,000 miles), based on 20 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 audi a6. The contact stated that the ignition switch became inoperable in various positions. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 96v017000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…”
Electrical System · filed Aug 5, 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 audi a6. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.”
Power Train · filed Jun 17, 2016
“On the morning of february 11th 2014, my daughter was on her way to school when her vehicle began to accelerate on its own. She believes she was going between 25 and 35 miles per hour when the vehicle began to accelerate and topped out at 70 before she was able to get it to slow down. She stated to me after the…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Mar 17, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
39 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Audi A6. The 10 most recent:
This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
AWC 19-05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 28, 2019
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, 2015-2019 Q3…
AWC 19-04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2019
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 running lights…
A941791 2012749- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 31, 2017
This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
SM 44-2017 EN · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 28, 2017
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 Volkswagen Tools and Equipment…
ATE-17-05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2017
This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.
A441662 2010334- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 19, 2016
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 improved version. G12++…
A191562 2025303- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 8, 2015
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 improved version. G12++…
A1915612025303-5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 7, 2015
Audi: engine, on some vehicles, would run irregularly or have malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on or possible filter element for camshaft adjustment valve can loosen and in oil circuit, there is no damage from loosened…
SB-01-15-29 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2015
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 12-92 dated October 24, 2012. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running…
A941565 2012749- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 17, 2015
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1996 Audi A6 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1996 Audi A6?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 105,602 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.