Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Audi A6, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system38
- Visibility5
- Equipment4
- Exterior lighting4
- Air bags3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Power train2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Structure2
- Steering1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the Netherlands
34 first registered in 1996 are on Dutch roads; 21% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel11
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen9
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse9
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt6
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde4
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm3
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect3
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)3
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
54 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 216 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 109 of these cars first registered in 1996 took their annual MOT test. 64% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1996 the figure was 65%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.7% | 6.8% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.8% | 16.1% |
| Brakes | 8.3% | 11.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.3% | 9.7% |
| Suspension | 7.3% | 11.5% |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 3.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
27 of these cars first registered in 1996 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 330,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
2 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 12.2–12.7 L/100 km (about 19 mpg US), CO₂ 281–292 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| A6 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.8 | 10.3 | 12.2 |
| A6 Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 13.9 | 10.4 | 12.3 |
| A6 quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.3 | 10.7 | 12.7 |
| A6 quattro Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 14.3 | 10.7 | 12.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Audi A6.
| 1997176 10 Oct 1997 | Seats And Restraints THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS COULD ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS A… |
| 1996024 6 Feb 1996 | Electrical THE IGNITION SWITCHES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, L… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 1996 Audi A6: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 600930 | REPLACING DAMAGED CLIPS FOR FRONT BUMPER. *YC |
| 52641 | ABS LIGHT (K47) ON DUE TO BATTERY JUMPING/CHARGING. *TW |
| 46406 | THE MODEL LISTED ABOVE WILL BE EQUIPPED. WITH A NEW 'INTERIOR PROFILE' KEY AND LOCK SYSTEM. |
| 10251027 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10250950 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10249085 | Google Maps Street View (NVLW)) |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10243787 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10231130 | Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants |
| 10216662 | Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
| 10216656 | Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
| 10164518 | This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries. |
| 10163501 | 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, 2010-2019 Q5, 2007-2019 Q7, 2019 Q8, 2000-2019 TT, 2008-2018 R8 |
| 10155644 | This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward. |
| 10128399 | 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++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service. |
| 10128222 | 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 Team has identified two US based suppliers to support dealers in USA and Canada. |
| 10128009 | This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt. |
| 10127856 | 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, and/or third brake light lens. |
| 10124898 | This is an advance notice for Audi of America employees. This notice contains information for the accessories operations technical bulletin. |
| 10124751 | Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 44 number 13-46 dated December 9, 2013. Wheel bolt requires torque adjustment. |
| 10124690 | This document contains information on the Audi side assist update. |
| 10123901 | Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 00 number 11-19 dated April 8, 2011. This TSB contains information on technician preparation when calling the Audi Technical Assistance Center |
| 10123882 | Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 11-19 dated February 10, 2011. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service. |
| 10123764 | 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++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service. |
| 10123587 | Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 13-35 dated March 25, 2013. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)