repaired · 2023 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. 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.
1998 Audi A6Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 130 owner complaints about the 1998 Audi A6, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-056 the manufacturer reports only 2% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 6, 2021. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Audi A6 has problems
130 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
29Fuel system, gasoline
18Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
17Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
13Steering2 crash/fire/injury
11Suspension
9Structure1 crash/fire/injury
8Electrical system
6Engine and engine cooling
6Fuel system, other
2511 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 29 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 17 | 1 |
| Steering | 13 | 2 |
| Suspension | 11 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 6 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 1 |
| Fuel system, other | 6 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 25 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
1998 Audi A6 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO REDUCE SPEED WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS HIS/HER FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
Show 6 more recalls
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.
no report yet
Relay: connecting
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
no report yet
Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL SPRAY COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
Risk. SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
no report yet
Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.
Best & worst years
1998 vs. every other A6 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A6 median. How we score
'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
6 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Audi A6, and the recalls they led to.
- STUCK-OPEN THROTTLELed to recall 04V-495
- BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETNo recall
- STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATSNo recall
- STUCK-OPEN THROTTLENo recall
- FUEL EXPULSIONLed to recall 99V-058
- DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIRELed to recall 06V-198
In owners' words
What A6 owners report
Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I AM EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE THAT WAS RECALLED BY THE FACTORY AUDI AG BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED AS ONE OF THE RECALLED VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID OF GETTING STRANDED DUE TO AN IMPROPER FUEL READING. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ACCORDINGLY, THANK YOU. *TR
I PURCHASED A USED 98 AUDI A6 PN 4/28/07. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE ONLY ISSUES WITH THE CAR WERE THIS GASSY SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEAT, AND A SMOKE COMING FROM THE SOME PIPE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE BREATHER WAS CUT, AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER FIXING THE PROBLEM…
(1) PURCHASED AUTO 10/7/05. PICK-UP IN MIAMI. AUTO HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPERATED IN FLORIDA CLIMATE. DROVE CAR TO PENNSYLVANIA ARRIVING ON 10/9/05. ON 10/13/05 DETECTED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING IN GARAGE. (THIS WAS FIRST TIME CAR WAS REFUELED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND…
Own a 1998 A6?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.