Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Audi A6, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 32 | 59% |
| Air bags | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 2% |
| Tires | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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: 96V0
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 11TH 2014, MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL WHEN HER VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. SHE BELIEVES SHE WAS GOING BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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. T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL*THE 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.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL*THE 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. T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH GETS STUCK IN ON POSITION CAUSING LIGHTS, RADIO, WIPERS NOT TO FUNCTION. STARTER ALSO REMAINS ON CAUSING BURN OUT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL*THE 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 REP
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Audi A6. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
Risk: SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
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.
Risk: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 32 of them (59%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1996 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.