1998 Audi A6 Recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 1998 Audi A6. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Audi A6 1998–2000, A4 1999–2000, TT 2000–2001 +1 more
Reported issue: 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 to deploy improperly in the…
Possible 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 recall is 69BT.
- Electrical systemCovers: Audi A6 1998–2004, Allroad 2001–2005
Reported issue: 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 s6 and s6 avant vehicles are all…
Possible 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.
- Vehicle speed controlCovers: Audi A6 1998–1999
Reported issue: 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.
Possible 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, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland…
- Electrical systemCovers: Audi A6 1998–2004, S6 1998–2004, Allroad 2001–2004 +1 more
Reported issue: 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.
Possible 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 began on july 26, 2004. Owners should contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Audi A6 1998–2001, Volkswagen Passat 2000–2001
Reported issue: 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.
Possible 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 also call back vehicles that were repaired under a previous recall last june in…
- Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › ConnectingCovers: Audi A6 1998–1999, A4 1998–1999, Volkswagen Passat 1998–1999 +1 more
Reported issue: 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.
Possible 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.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Audi A6 1998–1999, A4 1997–1999, Volkswagen Passat 1998–1999
Reported issue: 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.
Possible 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.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Audi A6 1998–1999
Reported issue: 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 pump nozzle is removed from the filler…
Possible 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 the tire pressure label and replace it with a new label affixed to the…
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: Audi A6 1998, A4 1998, Volkswagen Passat 1998
Reported issue: 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.
Possible 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.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Audi A6 1998
Reported issue: 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.
Possible 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.
NHTSA investigations
- RQ06003Driver's side dash fireClosed · Feb 27, 2006
- PE04023Stuck-open throttleClosed · Mar 5, 2004
- PE03019Steering wheel heater overheatsClosed · May 15, 2003
- PE99001Fuel expulsionClosed · Jan 1, 1999
← All problems reported for the 1998 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.