RideTruth

1997 Audi A6

View garageCompare this car
No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Electrical

Electrical leads by volume: 14 of 20 complaints (70%) mention it.

Complaints filed fell from 51 in 1996 to 20 in 1997.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Advertisement

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 1997: 2 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category19951996199719981999vs. 1997 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)3,300–4,1004,1004,1004,100–4,3004,100–4,300
Combined MPG18–19191918–1918–19
City / Highway MPG16–17 / 20–2317 / 22–2317 / 22–2315–17 / 22–2515–16 / 24–25
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)468–494468468468–494468–494
Complaints filed165120130217Not compared
Recalls issued222109Not compared
Crash-involved complaints110612Not compared
Fire-involved complaints014723Not compared
Injuries reported100415Not compared
Deaths reported00002Not compared
Configurations compared42222

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 1997 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 1997 Audi A6?

Electrical: 14 of 20 NHTSA complaints (70%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Audi A6 get?

EPA rates it 19 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Audi A6?

EPA estimates $4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd62.8LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars17 mpg23 mpg (high)19 mpg$4,100468 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd62.8L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars17 mpg22 mpg (low)19 mpg$4,100468 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd62.8L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSmall Station Wagons17 mpg22 mpg (low)19 mpg$4,100468 g/mi
Configuration 4Automatic 4-spd62.8LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSmall Station Wagons17 mpg23 mpg (high)19 mpg$4,100468 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine10000
Transmission & Drivetrain10000
Fuel System10000
Electrical140400
Brakes00000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires00000
Airbags & Restraints00000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control10000
Body, Seats & Latches10100
Visibility & Lighting20000
Other20000

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.

  • SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 97V115000 · Jul 30, 1997

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

    Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.