Most common 1997 Audi A6 problems
Share of the 20 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A6 complaints by model year
Best A6 years: 2022, 2018, 2011. Years to avoid: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999, 1998. Compare all years →
1997 Audi A6 recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.
Seat belts › Rear/other
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors May not lock properly when engaged, or not remain locked after being engaged.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear seat belt assembly.
What 1997 Audi A6 owners say
Electrical system
Associated with complaint id 345606/recall id#00V317000 Audi 1997 A6 wagon with the same symptoms. I replaced my ignition switch several times and it would stay engaged and the key would get stuck in the ignition. This particular time the car was being started and it burst in to flames. The fire dept put the fire out and I had the car towed to the dealer. Starter was burned up and so is the motormount is as much as I know for now, iam sure there's more. Car is still at dealer and Audi of America (hq) says that they cannot promise me anything. Made it known that I was afraid to have a car that would catch on fire with my two kids and I. Was repeatedly told that my car didnt have a recall on it by the dealer and that the same part was not being used as in Audi a4, even after I mentioned the Audi 1997 earlier complaint. …
The rear seat was shifted by the occupant to attach a child's car seat to the passenger side rear seatbelt mounting brackets. The spring wires under the rear seat contacted both posts of the battery under the seat, igniting a fire, which spread through the entire rear seat of the car. The suspension wires of the rear seat were burned away by the ARC. Based upon the position of the rear seat reported by the witness, the seat wires lined up right on top of the battery terminals. There did not appear to be any insulating means between the terminals of the battery and the bottom of the seat suspension.
1997 Audi A6 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Audi A6 a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 A6 rates better than average: 60% fewer complaints than a typical year of the A6 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Audi A6?
The electrical system — 14 complaints, 70% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the lights (1) and a/c & heater (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Audi A6 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Audi A6, the most recent from October 8, 1997 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A6?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2018 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999 and 1998. See the full Audi A6 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Audi A6 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.