What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

1999 Audi A6

Typical pattern

8.2% of complaints about the 1999 Audi A6 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1999 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (34 complaints), typically at 7.3 yr or about 91,000 miles.

Complaints
232
Median age at failure
5.8 yr
Median mileage
81,300 n=144
Crash / fire / tow
16.8% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
34 reports · 91,000 mi
7.3 yr
58.8%
Service brakes, hydraulic
28 reports · 89,150 mi
7.0 yr
17.9%
Fuel system
21 reports · 59,200 mi
1.3 yr
0%
Speed control
21 reports · 75,900 mi
5.7 yr
9.5%
Engine cooling
19 reports · 72,500 mi
5.4 yr
0%
Steering
18 reports · 63,500 mi
6.3 yr
11.1%
Suspension
17 reports · 96,000 mi
6.0 yr
5.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V056000 2020-01-31
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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 event of a crash.

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.

06V198000 2006-06-05
Electrical system

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 EQUIPPED WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND, THEREFORE, ARE NOT LONGER AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.

04V495000 2004-10-12
Speed control

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.

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.

04V133000 2004-03-18
Electrical system

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.

A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.

01V157000 2001-05-03
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

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.

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.

00V414000 2000-12-06
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

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.

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.

99V248000 1999-09-13
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

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.

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.

99V131001 1999-05-21
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

99V058000 1999-03-22
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap

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 NECK.

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL SPRAY COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

In owners’ own words

Fuel system mileage not reported 11 mo in service
GAS GUAGE RED HALF FULL WHEN TANK EMPTY. CAR LOST POWER WHEN IT RAN OUT OF GAS ON A REMOTE SECTION OF HIGHWAY CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. MANUFACTURER APARANTLY WAS AWARE OF DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRICAL UNIT IN THE GAS TANK CAUSED BY FUEL ADDITIVES IN THE US. NOTICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO OWNERS, EVEN IF NO RECALL WAS PLANNED AS THE UNITS SEEM TO FAIL INTERMITENTLY. COMPANY APPEARS TO BE TRYING TO IGNORE A PROBLEM THEY COULD FIX WITH ONE MAILING TO ITS CUSTOMERS...
Fuel system mileage not reported 3 mo in service
FUEL GAUGE MISREADS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
Fuel system mileage not reported 1.1 yr in service
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO THINK MORE FUEL IS IN THE TANK WHEN, IN REALITY, THE TANK IS EMPTY. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT THE UNIT IS BEING REDESIGNED AND THAT A NEW UNIT WOULD BE INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 1.2 yr in service crash / fire / tow
BRAKE APPLICATION ON WET HIGHWAY INDUCED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN. THE SPIN RESULTED IN SEVERE IMPACT WITH A GUARD RAIL CAUSING FRONT-END DAMAGE SO SEVERE AS TO PREVENT THE DRIVER DOOR FROM OPENING. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN AFTER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.

Other A6 model years

202020192016201320122008200720062005200320022001200019991998

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