1998 Audi A6
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.
- Complaints
- 130
- Recalls
- 10
- Investigations
- 6
- Top problem
- Fuel system, gasoline
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
23% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 130 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1996 | 51 |
| 1997 | 20 |
| 1998 | 130 |
| 1999 | 217 |
| 2000 | 148 |
| 2001 | 113 |
| 2002 | 88 |
| 2003 | 66 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2005 | 91 |
| 2006 | 67 |
| 2007 | 53 |
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 114 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Fuel system, gasoline
23% · 30 reportsMost commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.
Service brakes
15% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Vehicle speed control
14% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.
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, 2003-02-06
Suspension
11% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing control arm and upper ball joint.
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, 2012-03-16
Steering
10% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing tie rod assembly and linkages.
Show complaint excerpts
The heated steering wheel had melted, and the consumer's child was burned. *jb the dealer replaced the part.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-24
While driving 55MPH steering wheel heat sensors caught on fire. Flames shot out towards driver's face. There was no prior warning. The flames were extinguished by driver's hands. Managed to pull vehicle over. Contacted Audi dealership.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-03-20
Safety timeline
10 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1997-09-19Fuel system, gasoline97V160000 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.
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1998Complaint volume 130 complaints filed for this model year.
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1998-08-25Engine and engine cooling98V134000 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.
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1999-01-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-03-24 Fuel expulsion
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1999-06-08Fuel system, gasoline99V058000 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…
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…
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1999-10-05Steering99V248000 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.
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1999-10-09Service brakes, hydraulic99V131001 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…
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.
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2001-05-01Fuel system, gasoline01V157000 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…
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…
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2002-01-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-07-12 Brake and clutch pedal bracket
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2003-05-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-09-17 Steering wheel heater overheats
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2004-03-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-06-30 Stuck-open throttle
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2004-06-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-10 Stuck-open throttle
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2004-07-26Electrical system04V133000 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…
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…
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2004-10-29Vehicle speed control04V495000 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…
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…
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2006-02-27Recall queryClosed 2006-07-20 Driver's side dash fire
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2006-12-16Electrical system06V198000 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…
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.
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2021-09-21Air bags20V056000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Audi A6 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Fuel system, gasoline: 30 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 19 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 18 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97V160000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 98V134000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 99V058000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 99V248000 · Steering
- Recall 99V131001 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 01V157000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V133000 · Electrical system
- Recall 04V495000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 06V198000 · Electrical system
- Recall 20V056000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
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, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Audi A6 have?
- 10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.