1999 Audi A6 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,153miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Audi A6, 9% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,153 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1999 Audi A6 avant's heated steering wheel would overheat to the point I could not touch it. It caused the ignition swith's wires to melt and I had to have the ignition switch replaced by Audi and the heated wheel deactivated. The failed ignition switch caused my headlights, horn, windshieldwipers to not work. Everything now works after the switch was replaced and the steering wheel heater deavctivated by my Audi dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10163026, filed 2006-07, 120,000 miles“I went to the dealer for a service bulletin I received and they told me my tie rods were worn out. There is a recal NHTSA recall campaign number: 00v414000 andl(99v248000) for 99 A6 that says the tie rods wear out due to the seal failing. What do I need to do for Audi to address this.”
NHTSA complaint #10096281, filed 2004-10, 82,000 miles“Front suspension failures. Audi A6 front control arms and tie rod ends seem to fail prematurely. I have had to replace first 3 of the left control arms and tie rod end, and then 2 months later 3 of the right control arms and tie rod end on my 1999 Audi A6 with 53,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10041616, filed 2003-10, 50,000 miles“1999 Audi A6 avant heated steering wheel. Wheel generally heats at 12, 2, 5, 7 and 10 o'clock positions. On this particular occasion, I was driving at about 45 MPH with my hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions. I initiated a right turn that required my hands on the 12 and 7 o'clock positions. However, these two spots were too hot to hold. My instant reaction to the high heat was to jerk my hands from the wheel. For that instance, my focus shifted from driving to the heat of the wheel. Vehicle control was maintained. No accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10119846, filed 2005-05, 77,600 miles“My 1999 Audi A6 avant is equipped with the cold weather package. This package includes heated seats and steering wheel. When the driver's seat heater is turned on it activates the steering wheel heater. On 12/13/02 in using this heater the steering wheel became hot enough to burn my hand and began to fill the car with smoke. It melted the foam under the leather cover. If I had not turned off the seat/steering wheel heater I believe the steering wheel would have caught fire. My independent repair shop indicates there is a short in the wheel that will require replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000150, filed 2002-12, 42,050 milesRelated recalls
- 00V414000Dec 6, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles…Covers: Audi A6 1999, Volkswagen Passat 1999, Audi A4 1999 +1 more
- 99V248000Sep 13, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles…Covers: Audi A6 1998–1999, A4 1998–1999, Volkswagen Passat 1998–1999 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10012767Feb 3, 2005Power steering, noisy. To include 2006 models.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2021 | 1 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 8% |
| 2019 | 12 | 11% |
| 2017 | 5 | 25% |
| 2016 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2014 | 8 | 20% |
| 2013 | 7 | 13% |
| 2012 | 6 | 10% |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 6% |
| 2005 | 8 | 9% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 11 | 7% |
| 1999 | 19 | 9% |
| 1998 | 13 | 10% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1999 Audi A6
39 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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