The 1997 Audi A6 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 39,312 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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 car past the wheels more then 2 ft on both sides. The fumes could smelt over 5 ft away. I'm…”
“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 noticed this issue has occurred several times with this model and understand the a4 had a recall…”
“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…”
“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…”
“I'm having a problem with the ignition switch on my car - a 97/audi/audi a6 white rco129. The key turns too far and you have to shift it back to get the gauges/electrical accessories (wipers, air conditioner, headlights, etc.) to function properly again. Could this be related to the 1994-1996 a6…”
“I'm having a problem with the ignition switch on my car - a 97/audi/audi a6 white rco129. The key turns too far and you have to shift it back to get the gauges/electrical accessories (wipers, air conditioner, headlights, etc.) to function properly again. Could this be related to the 1994-1996 a6…”
“1997 audi a6, vehicle caught fire. *bf according to the police report, the fire appeared to have started in the battery compartment located underneath the right seat of the vehicle. Ohio traffic report # 10-0327-89”
“1997 audi a6 unintended acceleration - stuck throttle. Only way to stop car from moving was to turn off ignition. Audi dealer (suds - normal, illinois) found ice in throttle housing and was familiar with problem on other like-model audis. If I did not have presence of mind to turn off engine I…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Audi A6 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.