1999 Audi A6

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1999 Audi A6
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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

1999: 217 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	70
2009	21
2010	17
2011	21
2012	59
2013	52
2014	40
2015	21
2016	51
2017	20
2018	11
2019	113
2020	24
2021	15
2022	2
2023	1
2024	0
2025	4
2026	4

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 17 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 17 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES BEGAN TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130306

TAKATA RECALL I'VE HAD TO REPLACE A WHEEL BEARING AND AXEL 2X @ $550 EACH TIME. CAR WOULDN'T ALIGN RIGHT, SO I REPLACED THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE WEARING ON ONE SIDE. THE CALIPERS WON'T COME OFF WHEN CHANGING THE BRAKES AND ROTORS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190409

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, other — 11 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 10 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1999 — complaint volume: 217

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 20010205 — 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 00V414000 — 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 20030725 — PE (closed 20031125)

DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD FIRE

I 20031125 — EA (closed 20040507)

DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRE

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

1999 Audi A6 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (17 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (17 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (14 reports on file for this year).
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 00V414000 (steering) 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

■ 2000 ◆ 1998 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Audi A6 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Audi A6 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Audi A6?

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Audi A6 have?

9 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.