RecallMyCar

1997 Audi A6 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 1997 Audi A6, and owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
20
owner complaints to NHTSA
0 / 4
complaints citing a crash / fire
19
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 1997 Audi A6

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 97V175000 Reported 39,300 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    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.

  2. Seat belts: rear/other

    NHTSA 97V115000 Reported 12 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    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.

20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Audi A6 have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 106,275 miles. Complaints peaked in 2001 with 3 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“1997 audi a6 quattro. Filled up with gas at 8pm, parked car in driveway in front of garage. By 2pm next day there was a large puddle of gas (nearly 1/2 tank) located under the entire rear end of the c”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 25, 2017 · Fuel/propulsion system

“Ignition switch stopped working causing the headlights, turn signals, and wipers to stop working. Car still operates and is a danger if driving without turn signals or wipers without knowing. I have n”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 24, 2013 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1997 Audi A6 (A6 Wagon, A6 quattro, A6 quattro Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19 mpg
City / Highway17 / 22–23
FuelPremium
EPA classCompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engine6 cyl, 2.8 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Compare Audi A6 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Audi A6 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1994 Audi A612
1995 Audi A6216
1996 Audi A6251
1997 Audi A6220
1998 Audi A610130
1999 Audi A69217
2000 Audi A64148
2001 Audi A67113
2002 Audi A6488
2003 Audi A6766
2004 Audi A6435
2005 Audi A6391
2006 Audi A6467
2007 Audi A6453
2008 Audi A6471
2009 Audi A6421
2010 Audi A6317
2011 Audi A6321
2012 Audi A6859
2013 Audi A6652
2014 Audi A6441
2015 Audi A6422
2016 Audi A6351
2017 Audi A6320
2018 Audi A6211
2019 Audi A67114
2020 Audi A6925
2021 Audi A61117
2022 Audi A652
2023 Audi A612
2024 Audi A613
2025 Audi A626
2026 Audi A606

Checking a specific 1997 Audi A6

How do I know if my 1997 Audi A6 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1997 Audi A6; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Audi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 97V115000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Audi models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.