1998 Audi A6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other A6 years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 10 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Audi A6. That ranks 3rd out of 32 A6 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (29 complaints, 22%), typically at around 77,750 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries. There are 10 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 6 defect investigations involving it.
- 130owner complaints
- 10safety recalls
- 6NHTSA investigations
- 6complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Audi A6 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 29 | 22% | 77,750 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 14% | 92,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 17 | 13% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 13 | 10% | 71,552 | — | — |
| Suspension | 11 | 8% | 77,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 9 | 7% | 68,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 6% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 6 | 5% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 4% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3% | 81,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2% | 32,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 2% | 66,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2% | 115 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 2% | 43,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 224,580 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Audi A6 recalls (10)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
Fix: 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.
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tie rods.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, fuel spray could result in fire or possible personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Problem: 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.
Risk: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
Fix: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition could allow fuel to escape and if an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace these filler necks.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Driver's side dash fire (RQ06003) — opened Feb 27, 2006, closed Jul 20, 2006, led to recall 06V198000.
- Stuck-open throttle (EA04017) — opened Jun 30, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2005, led to recall 04V495000.
- Stuck-open throttle (PE04023) — opened Mar 5, 2004, closed Jun 30, 2004.
- Steering wheel heater overheats (PE03019) — opened May 15, 2003, closed Sep 17, 2003.
- Brake and clutch pedal bracket (PE02008) — opened Jan 23, 2002, closed Jul 12, 2002.
- Fuel expulsion (PE99001) — opened Jan 1, 1999, closed Mar 24, 1999, led to recall 99V058000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V056000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated…
Fuel was found leaking from the rollover valve nipple on the fuel tank. This nipple has been known to crack when the metal ventilation line line adds stress to the plastic nipple. Gasoline was found in a puddle on the floor at the left/ rear of the car. Audi has recalled and repaired this defect on…
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a6. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the dashboard wires had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage and vin was not available. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a6. While traveling 25 mph, the contact noticed that the front end of the vehicle had suddenly dropped to the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front lower control arm was replaced twice. The failure continued. The failure and current mileages…
I am experiencing an issue with my vehicle that was recalled by the factory audi ag but my vehicle was not listed as one of the recalled vehicle. I am afraid of getting stranded due to an improper fuel reading. Please address this accordingly, thank you. *tr
Other Audi A6 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 A6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 A6 | 6 | 2 |
| 2024 A6 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 A6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 A6 | 2 | 5 |
| 2021 A6 | 17 | 11 |
| 2020 A6 | 26 | 9 |
| 2019 A6 | 114 | 7 |
| 2018 A6 | 11 | 2 |
| 2017 A6 | 20 | 3 |
| 2016 A6 | 51 | 3 |
| 2015 A6 | 22 | 4 |
| 2014 A6 | 41 | 4 |
| 2013 A6 | 52 | 6 |
| 2012 A6 | 60 | 8 |
| 2011 A6 | 21 | 3 |
| 2010 A6 | 17 | 3 |
| 2009 A6 | 21 | 4 |
| 2008 A6 | 71 | 4 |
| 2007 A6 | 53 | 4 |
| 2006 A6 | 67 | 4 |
| 2005 A6 | 91 | 3 |
| 2004 A6 | 35 | 4 |
| 2003 A6 | 66 | 7 |
| 2002 A6 | 88 | 4 |
| 2001 A6 | 113 | 7 |
| 2000 A6 | 148 | 4 |
| 1999 A6 | 217 | 9 |
| 1998 | 130 | 10 |
| 1997 A6 | 20 | 2 |
| 1996 A6 | 51 | 2 |
| 1995 A6 | 16 | 2 |
See all Audi A6 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Audi A6?
Owners most often report fuel system, gasoline, vehicle speed control, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, fuel system, gasoline, accounts for 29 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Audi A6?
Yes, 10 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Audi A6 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other A6 model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.