Most common 1998 Audi A6 problems
Share of the 130 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A6 complaints by model year
Best A6 years: 2022, 2018, 2011. Years to avoid: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999, 1998. Compare all years →
1998 Audi A6 recalls (10)
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the wiring harness by installing a jumper wiring harness. The recall began on December 16, 2006. Owners May contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.
Vehicle 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.
Remedy: Audi will install a replacement throttle body kit free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2004. Owners May contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.
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.
Remedy: 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…
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.
Remedy: 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…
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rods.
Show 4 more recalls
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.
Remedy: 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.
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…
Remedy: 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…
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
Remedy: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During pre-assembly of the fuel tanks, an incorrect filler neck was installed causing the filler neck to not "match" the fuel cap.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these filler necks.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 1998 Audi A6:
Driver's side dash fire
Volkswagen of America, inc. (voa) conducted a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 04V133) to add a plastic cover to the top section of the knee bolster crossmember to prevent contact with the headlight switch wiring harness.the scope of the original recall covered model years 1998 through 2004 with vehicle production dates of August 1997 through December 2004.the office of defects investigation has received nine…
Fuel expulsion
By letter dated March 22, 1999, Volkswagen notified NHTSA that it would take safety recall action to correct the spitback problem on all the subject vehicles.based on the manufacturer's recall action (odi 99v-058), this investigation is closed.
Stuck-open throttle
Complaints received by odi and Audi allege that, in extreme cold weather, the throttle May unexpectedly fail to return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released, making it difficult to stop the vehicle.in March of 2004, Audi performed a series of tests to investigate the possible causes of throttle icing.Audi concluded that under certain driving conditions - only short distance trips over several weeks where…
Steering wheel heater overheats
This pe was opened based on four odi complaints that the steering wheel overheats. Vw has shown that moisture and prespiration permeate the steering wheel cover causing the heating element to corrode.this corrosion May cause a small, localized area of the steering wheel to experience a brief duration of overheating.there are no reports of the steering wheel sustaining combustion.
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Stuck-open throttle
Vwoa has recalled approximately 28,300 my 1998-99 a6 vehicles in cold weather states that experienced the highest rate of throttle icing incidents in the subject vehicles (04v-495).the failure rate in the a4 and passat vehicles is much lower than in the recalled vehicles.odi will continue to monitor the experience in the a4 and passat vehicles.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA…
What 1998 Audi A6 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 35 →
Fuel was found leaking from the rollover valve nipple on the fuel tank. This nipple has been known to crack when the metal ventilation line line adds stress to the plastic nipple. Gasoline was found in a puddle on the floor at the left/ rear of the car. Audi has recalled and repaired this defect on later year a6s but Audi of America, inc. Refused to repair the 1998 A6. The gas tank on the 98 A6 is identical to the gas tank on the recalled vehicles. The national highway safety administration has already determined that these fuel tanks present a serious fire hazard and participated in a recall. This recall needs to be expanded to include all A6 vehicles with the defective plastic nipple including the 1998 Audi A6 in question.
I own a 1998 Audi A6 quattro (2.8 liter engine). Last winter during a cold spell some part in the pcv valve froze suddenly while driving. This caused the throttle to be stuck at about 4,000 RPM and the car turned into a rocket. Fortunately, I could bring the car to a stop and nobody was hurt. It was quite an experience though, especially since the roads were snowy and icy that day. When I brought the car to the Audi dealer I was told that "it May take a week because we are swamped with many other Audi A6, all with the same problem. I was told that this is some sort of design flaw with this particular model/engine, and that this will happen again in very cold weather. In April I found a short article in "der spiegel" (the german equivalent to newsweek or time magazines), reporting that NHTSA took 16 Audi A6 in to test for exactly this problem. What is your advice to customers? …
Brakes
I own a 1998 Audi A6. This vehicle has been driven approx 75 000 miles. Several months ago the ABS control unit (brakes) failed. I was quoted a price of $1085 by the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. There are no used parts available. When I made an appoitment to have the unit replaced I was informed that Audi no longer manufactures the origional replacement part at a cost of $1085. Rather, Audi has remanufactured the replacement part and the new cost is approx $2000.00. I verified the cost of the remanufactured replacement part by calling a few dealerships. My complaint is that I believe that Audi recognized that the original part was defective and that once the ABS control unit failed it made ABS braking inoperable and therefore unsafe. …
Dear dot, I've a 1998 Audi A6 quattro. My ABS system shows warning yellow ABS light and red flashing brake light at all time. I've taken my two shops and they both indicated that the ABS unit is defective and needs replacement. They tested all 4 wheel sensors on the car and also mapped out the electrical system. The conclusion was a defective ABS unit. I've done some research and other Audi owner from 1998 - 2001 also have the same issues. If this system is known to be defective, it should be recalled in all fairness. I am pretty happy with this car, but the ABS is an uncomfortable experience. It cost about $2000 to replace the ABS unit and Audi does not want to admit the problem. References: http://Audi-vw-ABS-recall.blogspot.com http://www.allworldauto.com/comments/audi_a4_avant_comments_and_complaints_65-34245-1.html
Speed control & acceleration
I have an Audi A6 2.8 1998 during the winter 2003 I was driving during the morning the car was on for 20 minutes and temp was 14 degrees f. Speed was 65 MPH as I approached my exit. I let off gas an car accelerated pushed brake down. Car came to stop but idle was at 1800 RPM and car wanted to lurch forward. Made it to work 1 mile away brought to mechanic and he found no problem but he did clean the throttle body. No problems , for 3 weeks. Event two: going home 6:30 pm temp 15 f speed approx 60 MPH going up hill. Car started pulling faster. Decided to pump gas pedal figuring stuck cable just went faster. Decided to see if would stop at specific speed approached 95 MPH realized car would keep going. Stepped on break, pulled to side finally came to stop. Turned car off , waited 30 secs started car. RPM out of control. Turned off car and waited 5 minutes. Turned car on, no problems. …
I own a 1998 Audi A6 quattro (2.8 liter engine). Last winter during a cold spell some part in the pcv valve froze suddenly while driving. This caused the throttle to be stuck at about 4,000 RPM and the car turned into a rocket. Fortunately, I could bring the car to a stop and nobody was hurt. It was quite an experience though, especially since the roads were snowy and icy that day. When I brought the car to the Audi dealer I was told that "it May take a week because we are swamped with many other Audi A6, all with the same problem. I was told that this is some sort of design flaw with this particular model/engine, and that this will happen again in very cold weather. In April I found a short article in "der spiegel" (the german equivalent to newsweek or time magazines), reporting that NHTSA took 16 Audi A6 in to test for exactly this problem. What is your advice to customers? …
1998 Audi A6 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Audi A6 a good car?
Based on 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 A6 rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the A6 at the same age. It is one of the A6 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Audi A6?
The fuel & propulsion system — 35 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › tank assembly. Next are the brakes (19) and speed control & acceleration (18).
How many recalls does the 1998 Audi A6 have?
There are 10 recalls for the 1998 Audi A6, the most recent from January 31, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A6?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2018 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999 and 1998. See the full Audi A6 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Audi A6 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.