Audi A6 Quattro 1996

• Recall 12946 [USA]: Activation of the air bag under these conditions can cause personal injury.
  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.
  dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.
  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.

• Recall 15630 [USA]: Some electrical accessories, such as, turn signals, windshield wipers, lamps, power wind0ws and air conditioners can malfunction when the car is started.
  Defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured and can cause some electrical accessories to malfunction.
  dealers will replace the ignition switch.
  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.

• Recall R/1997/075 [UK]: Unscheduled deployment of drivers air bag
  In weather conditions which favour the build up of static electricity the air bag may deploy spontaneously if the driver enters or leaves the vehicle while carrying a high static charge. This can only happen when the car is stationery and not while it is in motion.
  affected vehicles are being recalled for the installation of an earth cable to the steering wheel to conduct any static charge to earth.

• Recall 1997176 [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 1996024 [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.

To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

Takata recall notice to say airbag unsafe

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: 96v017000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. Updated 10/18/16*lj *tr

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.

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 and topped out at 70 before she was able to get it to slow down. She stated to me after the incident that she had to press both feet on the brake pedal to get the car to stop. Fortunately there was no accident and she was able to safely pull over to the side of the road. I took her car to friend's house, dropped her off at school and took her vehicle to sunny side audi in middleburg ohio. They found the speed control was malfunctioning. They told me that it would be between $800 and $1000 to repair. I paid them $138.00 to disconnect the cruise control and we haven't had any continuing problems with the cruise control. The $138 isn't going to break me but then again breaking me is why i am writing this complaint. I have given this incident a lot of thought; what could have happened, how lucky we are that my daughter didn't panic and then i realized that there are more than likely many more 1996 audi a6's out there and who knows other audi's in general with the same cruise control set up that is installed in our car that have or will malfunction. I am hoping that someone will look into this incident. You are more than welcome to inspect our vehicle. I was surprised by the response of the sunny side audi service department. They offered us no support or avenue for assistance for repair and treated this incident like any other vehicle repair. We were lucky it wasn't worse and we are grateful but i would like to be reimbursed and have the vehicle properly repaired. *tr

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. There were no warnings prior to the failure. He is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 149,000 and current mileage was 149,063.

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. The vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms as noted in nhtsa campaign id number 96v017000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The instrument panel indicators do not illuminate, and there is a loud cracking noise. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 155,000. Updated 02/10/09 *bf when the key was turned in the ignition, the ignition didn't spring back. The starter made a cracking noise when the consumer turned the key. The instrument panel indicators illuminated, but the climate control and air conditioner malfunctioned. Updated 02/11/09. *jb

Ignition switch gets stuck in on position causing lights, radio, wipers not to function. Starter also remains on causing burn out. *tr

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 replaced. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was repaired according to nhtsa campaign id number 096v17000 in 1996. They are obligated to repair the vehicle only once. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer to have the ignition switch replaced. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 104,000.

1996 audi a6 ignition gets stuck and starter stays on. Lights, air, wipers, etc, will not work. This problem was a major recall on other audis of the same year but my vin # does not show up for some reason. *tr

Dt*: the contact stated intermittently the turn signal, headlight, and windshield wiper fail to operate. When vehicle was maneuvered off the road and restarted, the components were functional again. A nhtsa recall, #96v017000 was performed on the vehicle years ago concerning, the ignition switch however; the problem has recurred. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle.

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch did not return automatically to the run position. The contact had to manually twist the ignition cylinder back into the correct position. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who determined that the remedy for nhtsa recall # 96v017000, which pertains to the ignition switch, had previously been performed on the vehicle in a different state. The manufacturer was notified.

My 1996 audi a6 check engine light continually come on. Repeated visits to audi dealer. Spent several hundreds of $ with no sucess. I now visit them every week to have it turned off to come on again and again. I will be thinking of riding of thr car and going back to honda's. They have never failed me.

My 1996 audi a6 has a faulty ignition switch as descirbed in nhtsa campain id number : 96v017000, which applies to my car's model year. However my vehicle's vin number seems to fall right outside the range described by audi as the affected range, audi usa refuses to take care of the problem under their recall program. The problem is clearly the one targeted by this recall campaign and so i suspect that audi usa delibirately understated the range of cars that are affected by the problem so as to save themselves the cost of addressing it properly and honestly. I would appreciate your investigation of this issue. *ak

Ignition switch is causing the headlights/interior lights/heat, and windshield wipers to become inoperative. This only occurs when the key is inserted into the ignition. Dealer will repair at consumer's expense.*ak

Climate control and turn signals do not always work upon start-up unless the ignition key is "jiggled" into the correct position. Appears to be a recurring problem with these models and unfortunately, my vin # is just out of the origianl recall range of recall #96v0117000. *ak

While driving headlights came on and off on their own. Then, vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic stated that this problem had been determined, but this vehicle was not covered under recall 96v017000 for ignition switch. Consumer informed mechanic that this problem happened more than once, and had not been resolved. *ak

Battery explosion occurred. Two weeks prior to battery explosion, vehicle ignition switch would not return completely from start position to run position when the engine is started. It was necessary for the driver to manually return the key to the run position. When the key was between start and run position, turn signals and air conditioning would not operate. When turning the ignition switch to start the vehicle on august 4, 2004, battery exploded. Battery in this vehicle is positioned underneath rear seat passenger side. Vehicle is currently being diagnosed for root cause of battery explosion at local non-audi service center.*ak

Consumer vehicle's experienced the same problem as stated in nhtsa recall 96v017000. Defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured, and could cause some electrical accessories to malfunction.*ak the starter remained engaged when the vehicle was running. *nm

Ignition switch is experiencing the problem and consequence described in ignition switch recall 96v01700. *ak

Ignition switch stopped working. Water pump stopped working. (was replaced 40,000 miles ago). *la

Nhtsa#96-v-017-000: defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured and can cause some electrical accessories to malfunction. Consumer has the same problem. However this vehicle was not recalled due to the vin. *ak

While driving at high speed on the interstate in heavy rain the wiper arm linkage came loose. *la

After driving and when vehicle was turned off key stuck in the ignition. When this happened, the signal lights/ head lights and air conditioner didn't work. *ak

Consumer stated having the same problems as recall#96v01700 ignition switch. Dealer will not repair because vin number is not included. Ts

Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the air bag light comes on and the air bag could be inoperative in the event of a vehicle accident. Dealer notified. Mr

Mfr# kb & nhtsa# 96 v 017 000/ignition switch: consumer states that the malfunction of various electrical accessories, such as the head light, and the interior lights would occur when the car is started. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information. Nlm

Consumer's vehicle experiencing the same problem with ignition switch as mentioned in recall 96/v/017/000. But this vehicle is not part of recall due to vin. *ak jlg

"check engine" light remains on despite repeated visits to the dealer. First it was diagnosed with failed "vaccum line," but three months later the same "check engine" light came back. Corrective measures have since included the change of: oxygen sensors, fuel lines, and a new battery. The light is still permanently on, although no noticable drivability is affected.*ak

Consumer states that his ignition switch is faulty causing turn signals and windshield wipers not to work.*jb

Vehicle lost all power under normal driving on level road. About the 8th time in the past 6 months. Initially corrected by replacing the oxygen sensors which caused engine to run "lean". Unknown cause of current problem. Big safety issue if power is lost while attempting to enter traffic or highway or loss of power during travel on highway. Engine does not stall, rpms drop when accelerator is depressed and returns to "idle" rpms when releasing accelerator. Constant "check engine light".

The ignition switch does not turn back to "motor" position after engaging the starter. The internal spring (from the ignition switch), is not operating properly. Anytime i start the car i have to be careful to rotate the key in the motor position; if i do not do this, the starter remains engaged after the engine is on.I have contacted the dealer (audi/porsche in middleburg heights oh 44130) to replace the switch as a recall, but i as told the recall is only for cars older than 1996. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Some electrical functions such as: headlights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and climate control, do not function after the vehicle is started.

96 v 017 000/ignition switch: intermittent problem with starting, and instrument failure during operating of vehicle. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not cover under recall due to vin. *ak the dealer confirmed that the vehicle had a defective switches but was not on recall. *yh

Complete power rack & pinion steering required replacement, approximately $1,000. Car had recieved all required checkups since new by various authorized audi dealerships and was not covered under warranty. If system not replaced may have led to more serious problem. No loss of life or damage sustained. System fluid leakage resulted in abnormaal noise and then brought to dealership for repair/ replacement. Ignition switch stuck on engine start position

The vehicle hit a stone barrier at 5mph and the bumper fell off. *ak

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. The key remained in the starting position, causing several components to fail. The contact would have to turn the key back manually in order for the vehicle to remove from the starting position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an inspection and the dealer stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact of the same information. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Vehicle parked. Neighbor noticed vehicle in flames, early in morning & notified fire department. Was informed fire started due to electrical short inside door panel on driver's side. *ak

Orginial owner had recall done for ignition switch. Problem reoccurred. *ak without warning, the ignition switch would sometimes stick and keep the starter engaged. Other times, the a/c, radio and lights would not go on although the vehicle was running. Consumer had to manually set the key in a position that would turn the items on. On several occasions driving over a bump would turn all electircal items off. *tt

Consumer had experienced unsafe driving conditions due to improperly manufactured ignition switch. (nar) *lab lights, head lamps, heater & ac functions, wipers and turn signals would fail unpredictably. *cb

1996 a4 headlamps and windshield wipers failed to operate. ***nar*** *ts recall 06v403 regarding the ignition switch seems to be the cause of the headlamp and wiper failures. The 1996 a4 has been recall but not the a6. *nm

Consumer had experienced unsafe driving conditions due to improperly manufactured ignition switch. (nar) *lab lights, head lamps, heater & ac functions, wipers and turn signals would fail unpredictably. *cb

Vehicle stalls due to a faulty ignition switch. Sometimes vehicle will not start. Also, stalled when jiggling the keys.*ak there was a recall regarding the issue, however the consumers vehicle identification number was outside the range, therefore the consumer pay for the repairs. Recall#96v017000. *jb *nm

Vehicle experienced the same defect with ignition switch as stated in recall 96 v 017 000. But this vehicle not included in recall due to vin. *ak

Ignition switch would fail to go into original position. All the accesories would become inoperative. Starter was also affected by this failure making a grinding noise. Please describe details. *ak

Vehicle developed a leak in the transmission, the o-ring in the transmission was not properly tightened causing the fluid to leaked out onto the catalytic converter that was just underneath, the fluid began to smoke as it hit the hot metal, potential fire hazard. *et

Visability is very poor at night due to misalignment of the headlights. *ak

Rear seat rests are too high causing poor visibility resulting in collision.

The electrical ignition switch goes past the accessories and causes some accessories to malfunction when vehicle is started. Provide further details. *ph