Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Audi A6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 approximately 125,000. Updated 10/18/16
Tl contact owns a 1996 Audi A6. The contact discovered recalls for his vehicle and the manufacturer stated that the repairs had already been performed. He asked for the repair records, but they were unavailable. The vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms as noted in NHTSA campaign id number 96V017000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The instrument panel indicators do not illuminate, and there is a loud cracking noise. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 155,000. Updated 02/10/09 when the key was turned in the ignition, the ignition didn't spring back. The starter made a cracking noise when the consumer turned the key. The instrument panel indicators illuminated, but the climate control and air conditioner malfunctioned. Updated 02/11/09.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Audi A6. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The contact stated that he attempted to turn the key in the ignition, but the key would not return to the on position on its own. The key remained in the starting position, causing several components to fail. The contact would have to turn the key back manually in order for the vehicle to remove from the starting position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an inspection and the dealer stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact of the same information. The failure mileage was 40,000.
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.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Audi A6. The contact is experiencing intermittent failures with the air conditioning, windshield wipers, and turn signals. Based on the VIN, the dealer stated that the ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 096v17000 in 1996. They are obligated to repair the vehicle only once. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer to have the ignition switch replaced. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 104,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch did not return automatically to the run position. The contact had to manually twist the ignition cylinder back into the correct position. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who determined that the remedy for NHTSA recall # 96V017000, which pertains to the ignition switch, had previously been performed on the vehicle in a different state. The manufacturer was notified.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Audi A6. When attempting to start the vehicle, the starter would disengage. After further inspection, the contact determined that the ignition switch would not release and caused the failure. There were no warnings prior to the failure. He is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 149,000 and current mileage was 149,063.
Dt*: the contact stated intermittently the turn signal, headlight, and windshield wiper fail to operate. When vehicle was maneuvered off the road and restarted, the components were functional again. A NHTSA recall, #96V017000 was performed on the vehicle years ago concerning, the ignition switch however; the problem has recurred. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle.
Vehicle stalls due to a faulty ignition switch. Sometimes vehicle will not start. Also, stalled when jiggling the keys. 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.
My 1996 Audi A6 check engine light continually come on. Repeated visits to Audi dealer. Spent several hundreds of $ with no sucess. I now visit them every week to have it turned off to come on again and again. I will be thinking of riding of thr car and going back to Honda's. They have never failed me.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured and can cause some electrical accessories to malfunction.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Electrical complaints in other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1996 Audi A6?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Audi A6, 75% of the model year's 51 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Audi A6 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-017 (switch, Jan 29, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Audi A6 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.