1998 AUDI A6 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
158
Owner Complaints
10
Recalls
19
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 AUDI A6
The 1998 AUDI A6 has received a total of 158 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 10 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 19 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly (18 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (11 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 AUDI A6
NHTSA has recorded 10 recalls for the 1998 AUDI A6, potentially affecting up to 636,351 vehicles.
Recall 20V056000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 106,857 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 06V198000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 70,512 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 04V495000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 28,300 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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,...
View full details →Recall 04V133000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 172,866 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 01V157000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 70,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 99V131001 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 88,121 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 99V248000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
| 51,900 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 99V058000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
| 27,964 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 98V134000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
| 19,800 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 97V160000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
| 31 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 AUDI A6
158 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 AUDI A6. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
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 LATER YEAR A6S BUT AUDI OF AMERICA, INC. REFUSED TO REPAIR THE 1998 A6. THE GAS TANK ON THE 98 A6 IS IDENTICAL TO THE GAS TANK ON THE RECALLED VEHICLES. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY DETERMINED THAT THESE FUEL TANKS PRESENT A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND PARTICIPATED IN A RECALL. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL A6 VEHICLES WITH THE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC NIPPLE INCLUDING THE 1998 AUDI A6 IN QUESTION.
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 WERE 150,000. UPDATED 5/7/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED ONE MONTH PRIOR, WHILE TURNING OFF A ROAD, THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO 25 MPH, THERE WAS LOSS OF BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL. UPDATED 05/30/10
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 WERE 150,000. UPDATED 5/7/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED ONE MONTH PRIOR, WHILE TURNING OFF A ROAD, THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO 25 MPH, THERE WAS LOSS OF BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL. UPDATED 05/30/10
View all Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1998 AUDI A6
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 AUDI A6 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 AUDI A6
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 19 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 AUDI A6. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB-94-07-15 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AUDIO: EXTERIOR LIGHTS, MOISTURE ACCUMULATION. CONDENSATION IS VISIBLE ON THE INSIDE OF HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, SIDE MARKER LIGHTS, FRONT TURN SIGNAL OR THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LENS. DAMP AIR SETTLES ON THE INSIDE OF A COLD LENS, WHICH CREATES CONDENSATION. *PE
0404 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT KIT INSTALLATION. *TC
JE — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS CAN EXHIBIT WEAR, EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE TO THE RUBBER BOOTS IS NOT OBVIOUS. SERVICE ACTION CIRCULAR TO CHECK/REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *TT
900102 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SUBJECT REGARDING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, DRIVER'S INFORMATION DISPLAY FADES. *JG
0002 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
REVISED INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EXHIBITING AN INCORRECT FUEL GAUGE READING. *TT
640001 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW(S) BIND OR DO NOT OPERATE WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING. *TT
0001 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
SUBJECT REGARDING AN INCORRECT FUEL READING ON FUEL GAUGE (ERRATIC, STUCK ON FULL OR EMPTY). *TT
9903 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW(S) BINDS OR DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING. *TT
9801 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
SUBJECT ON OPEN CONDTION AT FUSE S14. *YC
9801 — EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
SUBJECT ON LUGGAGE COVER HANDLE, REPLACING. *YC
Showing 10 of 19 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 AUDI A6
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1998 AUDI A6.
Investigation PE03019 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Closed
Opened:
STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATS
Other Model Years of the AUDI A6
- 1994 AUDI A6 — 2 complaints
- 1995 AUDI A6 — 22 complaints
- 1996 AUDI A6 — 71 complaints
- 1997 AUDI A6 — 26 complaints
- 1998 AUDI A6 (current)
- 1999 AUDI A6 — 276 complaints
- 2000 AUDI A6 — 201 complaints
- 2001 AUDI A6 — 148 complaints
- 2002 AUDI A6 — 113 complaints
- 2003 AUDI A6 — 85 complaints