1999 Audi A6 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Audi A6, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system3915.5%
- Brakes3915.5%
- Electrical3012.0%
- Driver assistance249.6%
- Steering197.6%
- Engine176.8%
- Suspension156.0%
- Interior & seats145.6%
- Airbags83.2%
- Body & structure83.2%
- Powertrain (other)83.2%
- Visibility83.2%
- Exterior lighting72.8%
- Transmission41.6%
- Heating & air conditioning31.2%
- Tires & wheels31.2%
- Other / unspecified31.2%
- Seat belts20.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE AUDI A6 SINCE INCEPTION. CAR STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. CAR CANNOT PASS EMISSIONS. ENGINE SMOKING FLUID IS POURING OUT OF FRONT OF TRANSMISSION. THE CAR DEALER: NALLEY AUDI IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA. THE CAR DEALER NALLEY AUDI FRAUDULENTLY TOOK MONEY FROM ME AND NEVER REPAIRED VEHICLE. *TR
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK IN MY 99 AUDI A6 QUATTRO PRESSURE BUILDS INSIDE THE TANK AND SPRAYS BACK AT ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED EACH TIME I PUT GAS IN IT FULL OR NOT. A RECALL WAS MADE BUT, NOT FOR MY VIN. I SPOKE WITH A AUDI REP. AND A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. I WOULD BUT, THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL MADE FOR THAT CAR JUST NOT THAT VIN. IT'S A HAZARD AND I'VE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I PAID FOR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! *NM
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO 72 MPH AS IF GOING INTO CRUISE CONTROL. CONFIRMED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. APPLIED THE BRAKES SEVEN TIMES. CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. ENGINE SEEMED TO RACE AGAINST THE BRAKES. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, MOVED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. APPLIED THE HAND BRAKE. TURNED KEY OFF. CAR SLOWED THEN STOPPED. SINCE THIS INCIDENT THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN TWICE BY MECHANICS, DURING WHICH IT SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. ON JANUARY 27, 2015 THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, BELLEVUE AUDI, FOR DIAGNOSIS. AWAITING RESULTS. *TR
MY 1999 AUDI A6 2.8 HAS ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 1996 TO 2001 AUDI'S AND VW'S LACK OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROL MAKES MY VEHICLE UNSAFE. AUDI IS NOT WILLING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 AFTER IT WOULD RAIN, AND WOULDN'T ROLL BACK UP FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I FIXED THE TURN SIGNAL AND CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THOSE RETURNED AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS, AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE UNDER COVER/PROTECTOR PLASTIC BROKE OFF ALL OVER THE ROAD BECAUSE THE AUDI DEALERSHIP APPARENTLY FORGOT TO PUT IT BACK ON PROPERLY. THIS POSSIBLY ALLOWED FOR THE OIL PAN TO HIT THE GROUND AND CRACK, WHICH A SUSPENSION PROBLEM WAS CLEARLY PART OF THAT PROBLEM TOO. I TOOK IT IN TO SEE ABOUT A CRACK IN THE OIL PAN. THEY COULDN'T FIND IT, BUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I DROVE TO THE MOVIE STORE AND WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR, IT WAS NO LONGER RUNNING. A PUDDLE OF OIL WAS SPILLING OUT OF IT, AND THE THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. I'M GUESSING THAT THE PROBLEMS STEMMED FROM THE WHAT THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR.
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 FINGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WAS NOT A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO 72 MPH AS IF GOING INTO CRUISE CONTROL. CONFIRMED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. APPLIED THE BRAKES SEVEN TIMES. CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. ENGINE SEEMED TO RACE AGAINST THE BRAKES. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, MOVED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. APPLIED THE HAND BRAKE. TURNED KEY OFF. CAR SLOWED THEN STOPPED. SINCE THIS INCIDENT THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN TWICE BY MECHANICS, DURING WHICH IT SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. ON JANUARY 27, 2015 THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, BELLEVUE AUDI, FOR DIAGNOSIS. AWAITING RESULTS. *TR
1999 AUDI A6 QUATTRO SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SLOT AT MAYBE 5 MPH, MY FOOT WAS LIGHTLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AS I WAS NEARLY IN THE PARKING STALL. THE ENGINE WAS AT IDLE SPEED. AS I COASTED INTO THE PARKING STALL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING REVVED UP TO ABOVE 3000 RPM. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE PARKING CURB DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM JUMPING OVER THE CURB, AND SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO N. THE ENGINE THEN REVVED EVEN HIGHER, AT WHICH POINT I TURNED OFF THE KEY. WITH THE KEY OFF, I MOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR TO P, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE THEN RAN IDLED AT NORMAL SPEED, AND DROVE NORMALLY TO MY HOME ABOUT 1/4 MILE AWAY. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED; THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AS I WAS COASTING TO A STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. AGAIN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE WAS RETURNING TO IDLE SPEED. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION THE ENGINE REVVED CAUSING ME TO COAST THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE BEING ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP, AGAIN BY APPLYING STRONG BREAKING FORCE. I THEN PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN N AND THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHER, SO I SWITCHED OFF THE KEY. THANKFULLY THE OTHER VEHICLES HAD ALREADY CLEARED THE INTERSECTION AND THERE WAS NO COLLISION. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT IDLED AND DROVE AS NORMAL AGAIN. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY IN BOTH CASES. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 AFTER IT WOULD RAIN, AND WOULDN'T ROLL BACK UP FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I FIXED THE TURN SIGNAL AND CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THOSE RETURNED AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS, AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE UNDER COVER/PROTECTOR PLASTIC BROKE OFF ALL OVER THE ROAD BECAUSE THE AUDI DEALERSHIP APPARENTLY FORGOT TO PUT IT BACK ON PROPERLY. THIS POSSIBLY ALLOWED FOR THE OIL PAN TO HIT THE GROUND AND CRACK, WHICH A SUSPENSION PROBLEM WAS CLEARLY PART OF THAT PROBLEM TOO. I TOOK IT IN TO SEE ABOUT A CRACK IN THE OIL PAN. THEY COULDN'T FIND IT, BUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I DROVE TO THE MOVIE STORE AND WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR, IT WAS NO LONGER RUNNING. A PUDDLE OF OIL WAS SPILLING OUT OF IT, AND THE THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. I'M GUESSING THAT THE PROBLEMS STEMMED FROM THE WHAT THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR.
1999 AUDI A6 AVANT WITH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AUDI TO PAY FOR THE LAST 4 REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. CONSUMER HAS HAD SOME SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATES THAT IT IS A LEMON. *KB THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A BAD PIPE, THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, THE BACK WHEELS WERE DRAGGING SO THE PADS WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, T HE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, GASKET OIL COOLER AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (2 FRONT) NEED TO BE REPLACED. AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON STEADY, INDICATES ENGINE MISFIRE. *TR
1999 AUDI A6 AVANT WITH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AUDI TO PAY FOR THE LAST 4 REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. CONSUMER HAS HAD SOME SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATES THAT IT IS A LEMON. *KB THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A BAD PIPE, THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, THE BACK WHEELS WERE DRAGGING SO THE PADS WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, T HE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, GASKET OIL COOLER AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 AFTER IT WOULD RAIN, AND WOULDN'T ROLL BACK UP FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I FIXED THE TURN SIGNAL AND CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THOSE RETURNED AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS, AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE UNDER COVER/PROTECTOR PLASTIC BROKE OFF ALL OVER THE ROAD BECAUSE THE AUDI DEALERSHIP APPARENTLY FORGOT TO PUT IT BACK ON PROPERLY. THIS POSSIBLY ALLOWED FOR THE OIL PAN TO HIT THE GROUND AND CRACK, WHICH A SUSPENSION PROBLEM WAS CLEARLY PART OF THAT PROBLEM TOO. I TOOK IT IN TO SEE ABOUT A CRACK IN THE OIL PAN. THEY COULDN'T FIND IT, BUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I DROVE TO THE MOVIE STORE AND WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR, IT WAS NO LONGER RUNNING. A PUDDLE OF OIL WAS SPILLING OUT OF IT, AND THE THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. I'M GUESSING THAT THE PROBLEMS STEMMED FROM THE WHAT THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR.
AUDI CLAIMS THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER NEVER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, THIS IS NOT ONLY INCORRECT, BUT THIS ALSO CAUSES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOLD TO THE CUSTOMER FOR IT IS A LIE JUST SO THE CUSTOMER HAS CONSTANT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHILE AUDI RACKS IN THE MONEY. IT IS A SCAM AND IT SHOULD BE ELIMINATED FROM POTENTIAL AND EXISTING AUDI CUSTOMERS. NO OIL WAS EVER MADE NOT TO BREAK DOWN AND NOT EVER BE CHANGED. A NEW AUDI OWNER USUALLY LISTENS TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THEIR CARS, AND USUALLY DON'T CHANGE THE FLUIDS OR FILTERS, HENCE TRANSMISSION BREAK DOWNS AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. SCAM *TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEATS HAVE THE OPTION TO BE HEATED. THE HEAT GOT SO HOT IT BURNED SEAT, AND A PILLOW THAT WAS ON THE SEAT, DESTROYING BOTH THE PILLOW AND THE SEAT FILLING THE CAR WITH A SMOKEY FILM. THE SMELL WAS SO BAD IT FILLED THE CAR AND GARAGE. *CN
1. NORMAL USE OF THE CAR NOTHING SPECIAL WORK AND BACK. SLOWLY DEVELOPED A ROCK BACK AND FORTH. 2. THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS DEVELOPED A ROCK BACK AND FORTH THAT MOVES THE SEAT ABOUT 1" FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING AND 1" BACK WHEN BREAKING. MY SISTER WHO DRIVES THE CAR IS A PETITE GIRL AND THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT IS A HUGE DEAL SINCE THE SEAT IS ALREADY ADJUSTED FAR FORWARD. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. 3. TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO QUOTED A BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE A FAULTY SEAT FRAME. BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V056000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V056000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
RAIN WATER LEAKING IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR, COLLECTING ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. *TR
FRONT BUMPER COVERS ARE TOO LOW AND ARE GETTING CAUGHT ON LOW PARKING SPOT CEMENT WHEEL STOPS. *JB
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUDI CLAIMS THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER NEVER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, THIS IS NOT ONLY INCORRECT, BUT THIS ALSO CAUSES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOLD TO THE CUSTOMER FOR IT IS A LIE JUST SO THE CUSTOMER HAS CONSTANT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHILE AUDI RACKS IN THE MONEY. IT IS A SCAM AND IT SHOULD BE ELIMINATED FROM POTENTIAL AND EXISTING AUDI CUSTOMERS. NO OIL WAS EVER MADE NOT TO BREAK DOWN AND NOT EVER BE CHANGED. A NEW AUDI OWNER USUALLY LISTENS TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THEIR CARS, AND USUALLY DON'T CHANGE THE FLUIDS OR FILTERS, HENCE TRANSMISSION BREAK DOWNS AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. SCAM *TR
HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE AUDI A6 SINCE INCEPTION. CAR STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. CAR CANNOT PASS EMISSIONS. ENGINE SMOKING FLUID IS POURING OUT OF FRONT OF TRANSMISSION. THE CAR DEALER: NALLEY AUDI IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA. THE CAR DEALER NALLEY AUDI FRAUDULENTLY TOOK MONEY FROM ME AND NEVER REPAIRED VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR LEAK. *TR
1999 AUDI A6 AVANT WITH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AUDI TO PAY FOR THE LAST 4 REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. CONSUMER HAS HAD SOME SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATES THAT IT IS A LEMON. *KB THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A BAD PIPE, THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, THE BACK WHEELS WERE DRAGGING SO THE PADS WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, T HE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, GASKET OIL COOLER AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUDI A6 1999. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED EASILY WHILE IN GEAR. *SC THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V133000. CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO HURRY TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. ONE MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER BROKE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. SHOP WHICH REPAIRED CAR TRIED TO FIND A USED COMPUTER OUT OF 3 OTHER AUDIS AND ALL WERE RUSTY. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT WATER SEEPED BEHIND DASHBOARD AND UNDER DRIVER'S FLOORBOARD, RUSTING OUT COMPUTER ,AND RUINING TRANSMISSION. EVIDENTLY, ALL OTHER AUDIS SHOWED THE SAME WATER DAMAGE IN THE SAME AREA. COMPUTER FAILED TO SEND A SIGNAL TO THE DASHBOARD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND NOT WHILE WE WERE ON THE ROAD. WE INSTALLED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND NEW COMPUTER. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DROVE A VEHICLE ONCE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD, COMING TO A DEAD STOP. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK
MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. I WAS FIGHTING TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE BRAKE BUT FAILED TO DO SO AS THE CAR WAS ACCELARATING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I HAD GOT THE CAR DOWN FROM 50MPH TO 15 MPH. AT THIS POINT TURNED ON MY HAZARDOUS LIGHTS AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. AT 15 MPH I SAFELY SHUT MY CAR OFF AS I WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETELY STOP. AFTER 30 SECONDS, I TURN MY CAR BACK ON AND SEE THAT THE CAR IS HITTIG REDLINE OF 7000 RPMS IN PARK MODE. I SHUT MY CAR DOWN ONCE MORE AND WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE. I START THE CAR AND THE CAR IS BACK TO NORMAL. I AM BEING TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE IN MY CAR'S INTERNET FORUM THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE AND IT IS A FAULTY THROTTLE PEDAL. THE PEDAL HAS A HEATING ELEMENT THAT HAS FAILED DUE TO THE RECENT EXTREMLY COLD WEATHER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1999 AUDI A6 HAS SEAT HEATERS. WHEN USING THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER, THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO HEATS UP FOR A FEW MINUTES AT THE START OF THE HEATING CYCLE. RECENTLY, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE WHERE THE SEAT HEATER HAD BEEN LEFT ON SETTING 2 OF 6, I NOTICED A SMALL HOLE BEING BURNED THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL COVER. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND THE BURNING STOPPED. UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT NOW USE THE SEAT HEATER AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL COVER. *JB
UPON ACTIVATING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL HEATER BEGINS TO HEAT. THE STEERING WHEEL, AFTER A SHORT WHILE (APPROX 5 MINUTES) REACHES TEMPERATURES UNBEARABLE TO THE TOUCH, AND ALSO BEGINS 'BURNING THROUGH' THE STEERING WHEEL CASING IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING WHEN SHE HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH. I MET UP WITH HER TO PUT THE SPARE ON AND I WAS EXPECTING A NAIL OR SOMETHING IN THE TIRE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE TIRE I WAS SURPRISED TO NOTICE A SEVERE BLOWOUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE ON THE INSIDE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE FROM THE TREAD TO THE RIM. THIS IS CONCERNING TO ME BECAUSE WE STILL HAD 40,000 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY AND WE STILL HAVE THE SAME BRAND/SIZE ON THE OTHER TIRES. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN ON THE OTHER TIRES. THE BRAND OF TIRE IS YOKOHAMA AVID TRZ SIZE: P205/55R16 89T. I KNOW THIS TIRE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, BUT I AM SUSPECT OF THIS TIRE AFTER THIS INCIDENT. *TR
EVENTS: SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION FROM RIGHT REAR OF CAR AT HIGH SPEEDS , AUDI A6 AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. FAILURE: 2 OF 4 FUTURA 2000 TIRES ON CAR SHOWED WHAT SERVICE MANAGER DESCRIBED AS BELT SLIPPAGE OR SEPARATION. ONE TIRE WAS VISIBLY OVAL IN SHAPE WHEN TURNED ON DEALER BALANCING APPARATUS AND SECOND HAD ABNORMAL WEAR PATTERNS. OTHER 2 TIRES APPEARED OKAY. SET OF 4 TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT SAME TIME IN MID 2005 AND WERE USED APPROXIMATELY 50000 MILES , 70000 MILE TIRE, PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES. DEALER KEPT 2 DEFECTIVES AND I KEPT 2 BETTER TIRES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND IT FELT LIKE AN EXPLOSION. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE. DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS SPLIT ALL THE WAY AROUND. INNER RIM SEPARATED FROM OUTER RIM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALERSHIP AS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
REAR RIMS FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER HITTING A SMALL OBJECT, SIMILAR TO A SMALL TREE BRANCH. THE LEFT REAR RIM WAS COMPLETELY RUINED AND INSTANTLY CAUSED THE TIRE TO DEFLATE, SIMILAR TO A BLOWOUT. THE "RING" OF THE RIM, ON WHICH THE TIRE IS MOUNTED, SEPARATED FROM THE FLAT CIRCLE THE GETS BOLTED ONTO THE AXEL ASSEMBLY. THE RIGHT REAR WAS DAMAGED ENOUGH TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, ALTHOUGH I COULD NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE. (BECAUSE OF WORK HOURS, I WAS NEVER ABLE TO TALK TO THE DEALER'S REP IN PERSON.) THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY SERIOUS INCIDENTS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THE DEALER AND AUDI CUSTOMER RELATIONS BOTH CLAIMED IT WAS A NON-WARRANTEE ITEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DESIGN OF FEMALE PART OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE IS DOWN TOO FAR, WHICH MAY DISCOURAGE THE OCCUPANTS FROM USING THE SEAT BELTS. THE SEAT BELTS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO FASTEN, ESPECIALLY ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. CONSUMER CLAIMS POORLY DESIGNED SEAT BELT, AND BELIEVES THAT MANUFACTURER COULD INSTALL AN ADOPTER TO SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK
FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO UNIT NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .