1998 Audi A6 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Audi A6, 6% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On february 4, 2006 I was driving northbound on interstate 95, between exits 15 and 16 in norwalk, connecticut. I was the only occupant of the car, and I was driving in the middle lane at approximately 60 miles per hour. The time was approximately 12:30 pm. Smoke and flames suddenly started pouring out of the vents on the dashboard. There was no prior warning that something was wrong with the car, so there was no opportunity to slow down or pull over to the side of the road. The interior of the car quickly filled with black smoke and the dashboard was covered with fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10153901, filed 2006-03, 104,000 miles“While driving 40 MPH smoke started to appear inside the vehicle that came out from the dashboard. A fire started. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10090368, filed 2004-09, 78,000 miles“It is very difficult to read the instrument panel during the day when the headlights are on. The instrument panel light dim when the headlight are turn on. As you know it is a recommended safety practice to run during daylight with headlight on. I find it difficult to get the information I need under these circumstances. This is a distinct safety hazard in my opinion and may have already caused accidents. The correct is clear. Make the instrument panel light brighter. I have asked for help from Audi on several occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #715881, filed 1999-12“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10568879, filed 2014-03“Dt: on may 31 2005 while driving smelled a burning odor. Then, smoke came from air vents, and smoke got worse. While speaking w/ 911 flames began to come from the air vents. Fire appeared to come from the air vents. Vehicle was operating normally before the fire broke out. There was no warning or codes to owner's knowledge. It was unknown what caused the fire. Owner believed it was an electrical fire. The fire department had a hard time extinguishing the fire, and were unsure as to the cause of the fire. A police report filed. Car was serviced regularly and records were available. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125117, filed 2005-06Related recalls
- 06V198000Jun 5, 2006On certain passenger vehicles equipped with halogen low beam headlights, certain connector pins in the headlight switch connector come into contact with each…Covers: Audi A6 1998–2004, Allroad 2001–2005
- 04V133000Mar 18, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, if a driver's knees push against the knee bolster (crash element) located under the dashboard, it can contact the headlight…Covers: Audi A6 1998–2004, S6 1998–2004, Allroad 2001–2004 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10164518Aug 28, 2019This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 71% |
| 2025 | 2 | 33% |
| 2021 | 11 | 61% |
| 2020 | 18 | 69% |
| 2019 | 84 | 74% |
| 2018 | 1 | 9% |
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2016 | 8 | 16% |
| 2015 | 3 | 14% |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 13% |
| 2012 | 13 | 22% |
| 2011 | 3 | 14% |
| 2010 | 2 | 12% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% |
| 2007 | 6 | 11% |
| 2006 | 13 | 19% |
| 2005 | 16 | 18% |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% |
| 2003 | 14 | 21% |
| 2002 | 15 | 17% |
| 2001 | 14 | 12% |
| 2000 | 36 | 24% |
| 1999 | 37 | 17% |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% |
| 1997 | 14 | 70% |
| 1996 | 38 | 75% |
| 1995 | 10 | 63% |
Other parts of the 1998 Audi A6
35 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology