The 1997 Audi A6 has 21 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and equipment. Owners most often flag timing belt replacement is extremely labor-intensive (engine must be put into service position) and expensive: frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1997 Audi A6 vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 25 A6 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2023) to 231 (1999). With 21 complaints, the 1997 A6 sits belowthe model's median of 59.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 97V175000VEHICLE 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 …
seat belts:rear/other
Campaign 97V115000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.
Owners are sharply divided on this generation. Many describe it as a beautiful, classic design that is rewarding to drive when running well, but the overwhelming sentiment is that it is an expensive, unreliable daily driver at this age. The 2.7T biturbo engine
Owner insights for the 1997-2004 A6. Read the full 1997-2004 owner report.
Used A6 listings typically run $15,991–$61,219 across 2015 to 2026 model years.
Compare every A6 year side by side to see how 1997 ranks against the rest.