1995 Audi A6 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
What could happen: SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1995 A6.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V017000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION; SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1995 A6.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V175000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: 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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1995 Audi A6 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (11), Steering (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Engine (1), Lights (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/12/2011 · 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…
01/24/2009 · Transmission / drivetrain
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 RPM…
06/21/2007 · Engine
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.
06/05/2006 · 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. *AK
10/18/2004 · Electrical system
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. *JB
02/10/2004 · Electrical system
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.*AK
08/18/2003 · Electrical system
WHEN TURNING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FRONT LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD MALFUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER. *AK
08/15/2003 · Electrical system · fire
FAX FOIA REQUEST INFORMATION RE INVESTIGATION 907967 RE A 1985 AUDI 5000 BATTERY FIRE.*MR (INFOR REQUEST) *CB *JB