Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 1995 Audi A6 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2011.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 23 of 29 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 15
Against the median year of the Audi A6. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
220.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
770.0%
150,000+ miles
110.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 1996peak 4Aug 2011
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 Audi A6
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE99065Opened 28 Oct 1999Closed 31 Mar 2000VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL SUPPLY LINE LEAK
Recalls on the 1995 Audi A6
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19971761,997 units in Canada
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 AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE INJURY. CORRECTION: A GROUND WIRE WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19960241,274 units in Canada
Electrical
THE IGNITION SWITCHES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITIONERS TO MALFUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Purchase, NYCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER/ACCIDENT/INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #601989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 90,000 milesMalvern, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE, WARNING BRAKE AND AIR BAG WARNING GAUGES ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE FAILURES DID NOT SEEM TO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL HARNESS FAILURE WITH THE REAR BRAKES AND AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE SEAT OCCUPANT CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE AS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #10419193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bozeman, MT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 95 A6 QUATTRO WAGON WHEN I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL THE RPMS RED LINED. IT TOOK BOTH OF MY FEET ON THE BRAKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE TO STOP IT AND WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED AND INTO PARK IT WAS "IDLING" AT AROUND 3000 RPMS.
NHTSA complaint #10256228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesInwood, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 AUDI A6. WHEN DRIVING BELOW 10 MPH OR IN THE IDLE POSITION, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN ADJUSTMENT NEEDED TO BE MADE TO THE TACHOMETER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, IT APPEARS TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 128,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
NHTSA complaint #10193911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,903 milesWaterbury, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 98E002000 FOR THE AUTO COMMAND REMOTE CAR STARTER. THE REMOTE STARTER IS MODEL NUMBER 20036. THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE STARTER. AFTER THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPANY WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE SAME OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10159004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carol Stream, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON, BUT THE LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10097093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,798 milesLliberty, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH, PART NUMBER 4A0905849B, ON MY AUDI A6 FAILIED. AUDI TOLD ME THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAMPAIGN DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH PART NUMBER, AND THE IGNITION SWITH REPLACED ON MY CAR, ARE THE SAME. AUDI WILL NOT RESPOND TO THAT QUESTION. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10056939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Xenia, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
WHEN TURNING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FRONT LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD MALFUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10034080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Xenia, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHEN TURNING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FRONT LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD MALFUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10034080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Xenia, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN TURNING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FRONT LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD MALFUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10034080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesPorland, ME
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS/WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND AIR CONDITIONER DO NOT WORK DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10029508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesPorland, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS/WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND AIR CONDITIONER DO NOT WORK DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10029508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesPorland, ME
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS/WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND AIR CONDITIONER DO NOT WORK DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10029508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesPorland, ME
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS/WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND AIR CONDITIONER DO NOT WORK DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10029508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beckley, WV
AIR BAGS
A RECALL REPAIR RELATED TO THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, FAILED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,444 milesRichmond, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
JAMMING IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSE OF STARTER SOLENOID BURNOUT. BOTH IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE REPLACED. EQUIPMENT FAILURE CAUSED HEADLIGHTS TO SUDDENLY GO OUT DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROADWAY IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, BUT THEN THE CAR STALLED OUT AND HAD TO BE TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #10000037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,444 milesRichmond, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
JAMMING IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSE OF STARTER SOLENOID BURNOUT. BOTH IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER SOLENOID WERE REPLACED. EQUIPMENT FAILURE CAUSED HEADLIGHTS TO SUDDENLY GO OUT DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROADWAY IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, BUT THEN THE CAR STALLED OUT AND HAD TO BE TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #10000037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS LIKE ADDRESSED IN RECALL 96V01700. UNAWARE OF THE RECALL, I PAID FOR THE FIRST REPLACEMENT $254.25 FOR MATERIAL AND LABOR. AFTER JUST 2 YEARS THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP AGAIN AND MY AUDI DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX IT FOC. I'M NOT SURE IF THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THIS CAR, BUT IF SO THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS.
NHTSA complaint #750371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DEALER SAYS BOLT FROZEN AND HAD TO BREAK FROM RACK--APPARENTLY OVERTIGHTENED BY FACTORY WHEN MANUFACTURING VEHICLE!
NHTSA complaint #744295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY PROBLEM IS SAME AS THE ONE DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN #96 V017000. I CALLED MY DEALER AS WELL AS AUDI SERVICE AT 1-800-822-2834 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT SHOWS SAME PROBLEM & THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAMPAIGN #V96V017000. I FEEL THIS MALFUNCTION SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE BY AUDI. I CONTACTED NHTSA' HOTLINE AND THE GENTLEMEN SUGGESTED THAT I REQUESTED IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE THE REOPENING OF THIS CAMPAIGN & AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #731597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fitzwilliam, NH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT TIE RODS ENDS ("CAMBER LINKS") NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #721660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scarsdale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE OFF WHICH MEANS THAT THE ANTI-LOCK FEATURE DOES NOT WORK, CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #808378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchase, NYCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER/ACCIDENT/INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #601989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.