1998 Audi A6: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Audi A6: 10 recalls, 130 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
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Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #97V160000 · 1997 · 31 vehicles
What's wrong: During pre-assembly of the fuel tanks, an incorrect filler neck was installed causing the filler neck to not "match" the fuel cap.
Why it matters: This condition could allow fuel to escape and if an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace these filler necks.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #98V134000 · 1998 · 19,800 vehicles
What's wrong: If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
Why it matters: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
The fix: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #99V058000 · 1999 · 27,964 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 neck.
Why it matters: In the presence of an ignition source, fuel spray could result in fire or possible personal injury.
The fix: 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…
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #99V131001 · 1999 · 88,121 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #99V248000 · 1999 · 51,900 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tie rods.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #01V157000 · 2001 · 70,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
The fix: 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…
Electrical Vehicle recall #04V133000 · 2004 · 172,866 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
The fix: 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…
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #04V495000 · 2004 · 28,300 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Audi will install a replacement throttle body kit free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2004.
Electrical Vehicle recall #06V198000 · 2006 · 70,512 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
The fix: Dealers will reroute the wiring harness by installing a jumper wiring harness. The recall began on December 16, 2006.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V056000 · 2020 · 106,857 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel system (29): the most common themes are fire / smoke (5), leaks (4).
- Speed control / throttle (18): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2), sudden acceleration (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (17): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (2).
- Steering (13): the most common themes are steering problems (6), noise or vibration (2).
The 1998 Audi A6 has 130 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 33 A6 model years for complaints (2.6× the average A6 year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 78,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (20 complaints, 2 recalls), 1999 (217 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Audi A6.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Audi A6 problems?
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel system (29), speed control / throttle (18), brakes (hydraulic) (17).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Audi A6 get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.8 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Audi A6 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.