1998 Audi A6 problems
The 1998 Audi A6 has 158 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (26%) concerns fuel system. After that come brakes (13%) and cruise control (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 158 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 12 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 12 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 79,000 miles 54 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 13 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 7 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 54 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 79,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 12 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 12 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 22 model years of the Audi A6 with enough data (69 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 10 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
On february 4, 2006 I was driving northbound on interstate 95, between exits 15 and 16 in norwalk, connecticut. I was the only occupant of the car, and I was driving in the middle lane at approximately 60 miles per hour. The time was approximately 12:30 pm. Smoke and flames suddenly started pouring out of the vents on the dashboard. There was no prior warning that something was wrong with the car, so there was no opportunity to slow down or pull over to the side of the road.
While driving 55MPH steering wheel heat sensors caught on fire. Flames shot out towards driver's face. There was no prior warning. The flames were extinguished by driver's hands. Managed to pull vehicle over. Contacted audi dealership. Turned heat sensors off on steering wheel. Took vehicle to dealership & mechanic replaced steering wheel without the heat sensors.
While driving engine started missing. Smoke began to come out of the shifter and dashboard. The dashboard caught on fire. The vehicle was totaled.
Complaint 1) heated steering wheel would burn hands in selected locatios before turning off. Dealer indicated to me they were aware of this and if I wanted it fixed would have to purchase a new steering wheel as my car was out of warranty. I feel this is a safety issue that should be handled by audi with replacement. Complaint 2) rear brake pads replaced three times on car with 50,000 miles. This does not make sense as front brakes take most of wear.
I have an 1998 audi a6, 2.8l, v6, quattro, avant with a 115000 mls and my cars's rear seat, seat belt in (the middle passenger "belt shape, one") seat stop working and it is stuck in its open position about 15"-16" out. After talking to the audi dealer near home they said, yeah not working but sorry out of warranty, I asked is this a safety issue for this car? They said no! Its not! I am not sure about that. Is that ok a seat belt in rear seat hardly used by me break so easy?!