Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
225–50K
350–75K
275–100K
12100–150K
1150K+
21 reports with mileage · 30 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
51 reports
127,000 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Electrical System
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…
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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. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED FOR ROOT CAUSE OF BATTERY EXPLOSION AT LOCAL NON-AUDI SERVICE CENTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10086231
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2004
Electrical System
CONSUMER VEHICLE'S EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 96V017000. DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, AND COULD CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.*AK THE STARTER REMAINED ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10080152
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2004
Electrical System
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 96V017000. DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, AND COULD CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION. *AK STARTER STAYED ENGAGED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ALREADY RUNNING. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10080156
91,000 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AND CONSEQUENCE DESCRIBED IN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 96V01700. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076044
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED IGNITION SWITCH. (NAR) *LAB LIGHTS, HEAD LAMPS, HEATER & AC FUNCTIONS, WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD FAIL UNPREDICTABLY. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10059474
100,600 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
IGNITION SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. WATER PUMP STOPPED WORKING. (WAS REPLACED 40,000 MILES AGO). *LA
NHTSA ODI #10054738
42,500 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical System
VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALSO, STALLED WHEN JIGGLING THE KEYS.*AK 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. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10042729
50,000 miles · Dec 19, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051822
97,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Electrical System
THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH GOES PAST THE ACCESSORIES AND CAUSES SOME ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10047862
59,800 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY RAIN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE CAME LOOSE. *LA
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 STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Audi A6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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