Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Apr 9, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 217 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Audi A6 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming steering
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 9, 2019
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.
NHTSA ID
11194856
Incident
Jan 20, 2016
Mileage
180,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+3 more
Filed Nov 2, 2007
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
NHTSA ID
10208310
Incident
Sep 1, 2005
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Apr 23, 2007
AUDI A6 CUSTOMER STATES THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE SHE TOOK HER CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS GIVEN A LARGER BILL FOR OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE STEERING AND ENGINE. UPDATE *TR
NHTSA ID
10189007
Incident
Jan 9, 2007
Mileage
59,632 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 21, 2006
1 injury reported
MY 1999 AUDI A6 AVANT'S HEATED STEERING WHEEL WOULD OVERHEAT TO THE POINT I COULD NOT TOUCH IT. IT CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITH'S WIRES TO MELT AND I HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED BY AUDI AND THE HEATED WHEEL DEACTIVATED. THE FAILED IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED MY HEADLIGHTS, HORN, WINDSHIELDWIPERS TO NOT WORK. EVERYTHING NOW WORKS AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HEATER DEAVCTIVATED BY MY AUDI DEALER.
NHTSA ID
10163026
Incident
Dec 17, 2005
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 2, 2005
DT: CONSUMER STATED FOUND RECALLS 99V248000 AND 00V414000 FOR TIE RODS. CONSUMER CONTACTED AUDI, AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO SUCH RECALLS. ALSO STATED THERE COULD BE RECALLS, BUT THEY COULD BE IN DISPUTE BETWEEN NHTSA AND AUDI. CONSUMER DID SUPPLY AUDI WITH VIN. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD WORN OUT TIE RODS THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. . THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTICED BY THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO. *AK
NHTSA ID
10131030
Incident
Apr 29, 2005
Steering
Filed May 11, 2005
HEATED STEERING WHEEL EXTREMELY HOT CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET WARP AND MELT(YOU CAN SMELL THE BURNING, STEERING WHEEL AS AN INDENTATION WITH BURN MAKES)
NHTSA ID
10120648
Incident
May 5, 2005
Mileage
67,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 4, 2005
1999 AUDI A6 AVANT HEATED STEERING WHEEL. WHEEL GENERALLY HEATS AT 12, 2, 5, 7 AND 10 O'CLOCK POSITIONS. ON THIS PARTICULAR OCCASION, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH WITH MY HANDS AT THE 10 AND 2 O'CLOCK POSITIONS. I INITIATED A RIGHT TURN THAT REQUIRED MY HANDS ON THE 12 AND 7 O'CLOCK POSITIONS. HOWEVER, THESE TWO SPOTS WERE TOO HOT TO HOLD. MY INSTANT REACTION TO THE HIGH HEAT WAS TO JERK MY HANDS FROM THE WHEEL. FOR THAT INSTANCE, MY FOCUS SHIFTED FROM DRIVING TO THE HEAT OF THE WHEEL. VEHICLE CONTROL WAS MAINTAINED. NO ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ID
10119846
Incident
May 2, 2005
Mileage
77,600 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Feb 17, 2005
1999 AUDI A-6 QUATTRO, TIE ROD END REPLACED. *BF TIE ROD RECALL WAS DONE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 13187 MILES ON IT. AT 60806 THE TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED. *NM
NHTSA ID
10114979
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Mileage
60,806 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2005
00 V 414 000/VW TIE RODS: CONSUMER STATES, "THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MARCH 10, 2001". THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACES AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS THIS CONSIDERED NORMAL? THAT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED WITH LESS THEN 48,015 MILES OF WEAR SINCE THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NM
NHTSA ID
10108548
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Mileage
12,787 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 9, 2004
THE CONSUMERS AUDI A6 QUATTRO HAS PROBLEMS WITH BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARMS BEING LOOSE. BOTH FRONT OUTER CV SPLIT OPEN AND LEAKED AND FRONT PROP SHAFT LEAKED.*BF THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD WAS LOOSE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10109028
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Mileage
9,863 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 17, 2004
DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM CONTROL ARM RECALL REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE TIE ROD DONE BY THEM.*AK
NHTSA ID
10101217
Incident
Jul 20, 2003
Steering
Filed Nov 12, 2004
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 99V248000 CONCERNING TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10099880
Incident
Sep 22, 2004
Mileage
63,500 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 23, 2004
I WENT TO THE DEALER FOR A SERVICE BULLETIN I RECEIVED AND THEY TOLD ME MY TIE RODS WERE WORN OUT. THERE IS A RECAL NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V414000 ANDL(99V248000) FOR 99 A6 THAT SAYS THE TIE RODS WEAR OUT DUE TO THE SEAL FAILING. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO FOR AUDI TO ADDRESS THIS. *AK
NHTSA ID
10096281
Incident
Oct 23, 2004
Mileage
82,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 2, 2004
CONSUMER STATED TIE RODS ENDS GREASE BOOT TORE CAUSING TIE ROD ENDS TO WEAR OUT AND MAKE CLUNKING NOISE. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THEM UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY POLICY SO THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.
NHTSA ID
10090251
Incident
Aug 1, 2003
Mileage
76,200 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 25, 2004
THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL BECAME TOO HOT WHILE BEING USED AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE SYSTEM OFF THE HEAT SUBSIDED. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN INSTEAD OF DISCONNECTING THE HEATING DEVICE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10064926
Incident
Mar 22, 2004
Mileage
19,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 10, 2003
FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURES. AUDI A6 FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND TIE ROD ENDS SEEM TO FAIL PREMATURELY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FIRST 3 OF THE LEFT CONTROL ARMS AND TIE ROD END, AND THEN 2 MONTHS LATER 3 OF THE RIGHT CONTROL ARMS AND TIE ROD END ON MY 1999 AUDI A6 WITH 53,000 MILES. *LA
NHTSA ID
10041616
Incident
Oct 10, 2003
Mileage
50,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 2, 2003
CONSUMER STATES IN INCLIMATE WEATHER,WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE'S THROTTLE GETS STUCK OPEN CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE A HARD SHIFT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ID
10001868
Incident
Dec 18, 2002
Steering
Filed Dec 17, 2002
Fire reported1 injury reported
MY 1999 AUDI A6 AVANT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE COLD WEATHER PACKAGE. THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES HEATED SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON IT ACTIVATES THE STEERING WHEEL HEATER. ON 12/13/02 IN USING THIS HEATER THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO BURN MY HAND AND BEGAN TO FILL THE CAR WITH SMOKE. IT MELTED THE FOAM UNDER THE LEATHER COVER. IF I HAD NOT TURNED OFF THE SEAT/STEERING WHEEL HEATER I BELIEVE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. MY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INDICATES THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WHEEL THAT WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I CHECKED AN ENTHUSIAST INTERNET SITE (AUDIWORLD.COM) AND DID A SEARCH OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER AUDI MODELS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. TS
NHTSA ID
10000150
Incident
Dec 13, 2002
Mileage
42,050 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsSteering
Filed May 10, 1999
FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO UNIT NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY. MJS
NHTSA ID
545484
Incident
Apr 15, 1999
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own