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.
1999 Audi A6Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 217 owner complaints about the 1999 Audi A6, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 9 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 March 22, 2021. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1999 Audi A6 has problems
217 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
37Electrical system21 crash/fire/injury
31Service brakes, hydraulic5 crash/fire/injury
26Fuel system, gasoline
24Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
19Steering2 crash/fire/injury
17Engine and engine cooling
15Fuel system, other
15Suspension
12Power train
5914 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 37 | 21 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 31 | 5 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 26 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 24 | 2 |
| Steering | 19 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 0 |
| Fuel system, other | 15 | 0 |
| Suspension | 15 | 1 |
| Power train | 12 | 2 |
| 14 other systems | 59 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
1999 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 5 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
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.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
91kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 29 electrical system complaints. 69% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles20under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1999 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
8 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1999 Audi A6, and the recalls they led to.
- DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRELed to recall 06V-198
- STUCK-OPEN THROTTLELed to recall 04V-495
- BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETNo recall
- STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATSNo recall
- DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD FIRENo 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 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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. THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS WOULD RANDOMLY ROLL DOWN SOMETIMES…
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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE…
SMOKE ERUPTED THROUGH VENT SYSTEM. PULLED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD AND FAMILY OF 4 EVACUATED. WITHIN 90 SECONDS, THE DASH ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. INTERIOR/DASH ETC. WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. MOTOR COMPARTMENT UNTOUCHED BY FIRE. SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HAVE PICTURES OF FIRE AND FIRE DEPT…
Own a 1999 A6?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.