1998 Audi A6

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Audi A6
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:31:51.010Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Audi A6 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 16 complaints 1996: 51 complaints 1997: 20 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1998 1999: 217 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2001: 113 complaints 2002: 88 complaints 2003: 66 complaints 2004: 35 complaints 2004 2005: 91 complaints 2006: 67 complaints 2007: 53 complaints 2008: 70 complaints 2009: 21 complaints 2009 2010: 17 complaints 2011: 21 complaints 2012: 59 complaints 2013: 52 complaints 2014: 40 complaints 2014 2015: 21 complaints 2016: 51 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 11 complaints 2019: 113 complaints 2019 2020: 24 complaints 2021: 15 complaints 2022: 2 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2024: 0 complaints 2024 2025: 4 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
1998: 130 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19942
199516
199651
199720
1998130
1999217
2000148
2001113
200288
200366
200435
200591
200667
200753
200870
200921
201017
201121
201259
201352
201440
201521
201651
201720
201811
2019113
202024
202115
20222
20231
20240
20254
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 12%

12% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 15 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS REAR-ENDED AT A STOP LIGHT ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY BY A 1998 AUDI A6. THE PERSON DRIVING THE CAR STATED THAT HER CAR WAS ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE GAS AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030206

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120316

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970919 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FILLER NECKS.

Campaign 97V160000 — check if this car was fixed

1998 — complaint volume: 130
R 19980825 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.

Campaign 98V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990101 — PE (closed 19990324)

FUEL EXPULSION

R 19990608 — fuel system, gasoline

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,

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 T

Campaign 99V058000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991005 — steering

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Campaign 99V248000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991009 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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.

Campaign 99V131001 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010501 — fuel system, gasoline

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 SEN

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 CHEMIC

Campaign 01V157000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020123 — PE (closed 20020712)

BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET

I 20030515 — PE (closed 20030917)

STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATS

I 20040305 — PE (closed 20040630)

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

I 20040630 — EA (closed 20050210)

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

R 20040726 — 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 SHOR

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

Campaign 04V133000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041029 — 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 D

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

Campaign 04V495000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060227 — RQ (closed 20060720)

DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIRE

R 20061216 — 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: VE

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.

Campaign 06V198000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210921 — air bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

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.

Campaign 20V056000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Audi A6 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V160000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V134000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V058000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V248000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V131001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V157000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V133000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V495000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V198000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V056000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ▲ 2014 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Audi A6 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Audi A6 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Audi A6?

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Audi A6 have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.