1998 Audi A6
Safety Recalls & Notices
We found 18 safety recalls for the 1998 Audi A6. Recalls are sourced from both NHTSA (US) and Transport Canada databases. Contact your authorized Audi dealer to schedule free repairs.
Summary
Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: In a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the driver-front airbag may not inflate properly. This could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. There may be a significant delay before replacement parts are available. The company will send you a second letter once replacement parts are available and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. If the inflator requires replacement, a newly design part will be installed.
Summary
On certain vehicles, if a plastic cover is not securely installed to the drivers-side support crossmember, the headlight switch wiring harness could short out on the crossmember and cause a fire. Note: Further evaluation revealed that only U.S. vehicles are affected. Canadian-market vehicles are equipped with a different headlamp switch wiring harness which includes Daytime Running Lights (DRL). As a result Canadian vehicles will not experience this type of electrical wiring problem, therefore the recall is cancelled.
Summary
On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.8L V6 5-valve engine and automatic transmission, while driving for a considerable period of time at a steady rate of speed during extremely low ambient temperatures (-15 degrees Celsius or below), the throttle may not return to idle position due to ice accumulating in the throttle body. In this instance the driver can apply additional brake force or take other actions (such as shifting into Neutral, turning off the ignition, etc.) to positively stop the vehicle. In the absence of such action, the vehicle may maintain speed when the driver expects the vehicle to slow. If this occurs, it could lead to an increase in the stopping distance and possible collision with bystanders, a fixed object or another vehicle which may cause serious injuries or even death. Correction: Dealers will replace the throttle body assembly.
Summary
On certain Audi S6, A6 and A6 Allroad Quattro, contact between the left driver's side crash element and the headlight switch wiring harness could eventually result in an electrical short. Even though such an electrical short is not very likely, it could result, in a worst-case scenario, in a fire originating in the left dashboard area. Correction: Dealer will install a protective covering on the crash element and inspect the wiring harness for damage.
Summary
On certain Audi A6 Quattro, sulphur in the fuel interacting with certain additives found in widely available fuel can become deposited on certain contact points on three sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. Low electrical resistance at contact points of any unit signals that the tank is full. The accumulation of sulphur deposits on contacts would increase the resistance and erroneously signal that the tank is filled with fuel while in fact it may not be full or could be empty. If a driver is not cognizant of the miles driven and the potential driving range of their vehicle from a fuel fill, the erroneous fuel level signal could cause the vehicle to become inoperable without prior warning. Correction: Fuel sending units will be replaced with redesigned sending units.
Summary
On certain vehicles, the steering assembly tie rod seals do not seal properly. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing may wear over time to a point where the steering begins to feel "loose" and could diminish the steering control of the vehicle with the potential for a vehicle crash. Correction: Tie rods will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Summary
On certain vehicles, 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 degrees F. This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster resulting in possible loss of power brake assist. Correction: A vacuum by-pass system will be installed on affected vehicles.
Summary
IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE BACKFIRE DURING COLD START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER COULD BECOME DAMAGED. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. CORRECTION: A SCREEN RETAINING RING WILL BE INSTALLED AND DAMAGED SCREENS WILL BE REPLACED.
Summary
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.
Potential Consequence
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.
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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.
Summary
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.
Potential Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.
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.
18 Active Recalls
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