1998 Audi A6

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #20V056000January 31, 2020106,857 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

  In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.

• NHTSA recall #06V198000June 5, 200670,512 vehicles affected

  electrical system

  On certain passenger vehicles equipped with halogen low beam headlights, certain connector pins in the headlight switch connector come into contact with each other causing a short circuit. Note: vehicles with xenon low beam headlights are not affected because the circuit in these vehicles contains a fuse, which precludes excessive current flow in the case of a short circuit. Audi S6 and S6 avant vehicles are all equipped with xenon low beam headlights and, therefore, are not longer affected by this recall.

  This condition could lead to overheating or fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will reroute the wiring harness by installing a jumper wiring harness. The recall began on december 16, 2006. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

• NHTSA recall #04V495000October 12, 200428,300 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8L, V6 5-VALVE engines, and automatic transmissions, while driving during extremely low ambient temperatures the throttle may freeze in an open position due to ice accumulating in the throttle body.

  If this occurs, the vehicle may fail to reduce speed when the driver lifts his/her foot from the gas pedal. This loss of vehicle control could result in a crash without warning.

  Remedy

  Audi will install a replacement throttle body kit free of charge. The recall began on october 29, 2004. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834. Owners of vehicles which are not registered in the cold-weather states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming, will be notified of a service action, under which they will be provided the free remedy upon request.

• NHTSA recall #04V133000March 18, 2004172,866 vehicles affected

  electrical system

  On certain passenger vehicles, if a driver's knees push against the knee bolster (crash element) located under the dashboard, it Can contact the headlight switch wiring harness, and an electrical short could occur.

  A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a protective covering on the knee bolster (crash element). In addition, the wiring harness as well as the felt protector on the left side of the dashboard carrier will be checked, and replaced if necessary. The recall began on july 26, 2004. Owners should contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

• NHTSA recall #01V157000May 3, 200170,000 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty.

  Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.

  Remedy

  Dealers will remove the existing fuel level sending units and replace them with fuel level sending units using a new alloy composed of gold, silver, and a small amount of nickel, which will not chemically react with sulfur. Vw/Audi will also call back vehicles that were repaired under a previous recall last june in order to install the updated fuel sending units NHTSA 00V137/Audi lb). Owner notification began may 1, 2001. 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 1-866-892-2834.

• NHTSA recall #99V248000September 13, 199951,900 vehicles affected

  steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.

  If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the tie rods.

• NHTSA recall #99V131001May 21, 199988,121 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 f under certain driving conditions.

  This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a vacuum by-pass system into vehicles operated in these states which is designed to provide sufficient vacuum for full brake assist under all weather conditions.

• NHTSA recall #99V058000March 22, 199927,964 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with quattro drive system which employs a fuel and fuel vapor leak detection system. If the vehicle is refueled shortly after the engine is started, and is kept running while being refueled, the fuel vapor recovery system could produce sufficient back pressure to cause fuel to be ejected after a complete fill-up when the fuel pump nozzle is removed from the filler neck.

  In the presence of an ignition source, fuel spray could result in fire or possible personal injury.

  Remedy

  Vw is providing a new page for the owner's manual and also requesting owners to make an appointment with their dealers to have a label containing important refueling instructions installed inside of the fuel filler door. Dealers will also remove the tire pressure label and replace it with a new label affixed to the fender well at the right rear door.

• NHTSA recall #98V134000June 22, 199819,800 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: cooling system

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter Can become damaged.

  Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.

• NHTSA recall #97V160000September 19, 199731 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During pre-assembly of the fuel tanks, an incorrect filler neck was installed causing the filler neck to not "match" the fuel cap.

  This condition could allow fuel to escape and if an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace these filler necks.

Other model years

• 1996 51
• 1998
• 1999 217
• 2000 148
• 2001 113
• 2002 88
• 2003 66
• 2004 35
• 2005 91
• 2006 67
• 2007 53
• 2008 71
• 2012 60
• 2013 52
• 2014 41
• 2016 51
• 2019 114
• 2020 26