1996 Audi A6
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 38 of 51 complaints (75%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more fire reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 16 in 1995 to 51 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–4,100 | 4,100 | 4,100 | 4,100–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–19 | 19 | 19 | 18–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 20–23 | 17 / 22–23 | 17 / 22–23 | 15–17 / 22–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–494 | 468 | 468 | 468–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 16 | 51 | 20 | 130 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Audi A6 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Audi A6?
Electrical: 38 of 51 NHTSA complaints (75%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Audi A6 get?
EPA rates it 19 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Audi A6?
EPA estimates $4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 97V175000 · Oct 10, 1997
Defect: 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: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 96V017000 · Feb 1, 1996
Defect: DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
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.