- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Electrical system
1998 Audi A6 Electrical problems
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 1998 Audi A6's electrical system with NHTSA - 6% of all its complaints, most recently on March 12, 2014. They describe 1 crash, 5 fires and 3 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Electrical recalls for the 1998 Audi A6
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
- The fix
- 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 necessary. The recall began on july 26, 2004. Owners should contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.
Electrical complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a6. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the dashboard wires had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage and vin was not available. *Tr
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. The interior of the car quickly...
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filled with black smoke and the dashboard was covered with fire. The steering wheel locked up and it wouldn't turn at all. Although I could not steer, the car drifted to the right lane. While smoke and flames were pouring out of the dashboard, and the car was still moving, I opened the passenger side door and jumped out of the car. My back hit the guardrail on the right side of the highway and I fell to the ground. Within a minute the car was engulfed in smoke and flames. The interior of the car and all of its contents were completely destroyed by fire. I suffered numerous injuries including smoke inhalation, a concussion, injuries to my neck, back, ribs, legs and pelvis, post traumatic stress disorder, and other injuries. *Jb
Dt: on may 31 2005 while driving smelled a burning odor. Then, smoke came from air vents, and smoke got worse. While speaking w/ 911 flames began to come from the air vents. Fire appeared to come from the air vents. Vehicle was operating normally before the fire broke out. There was no warning or codes to owner's knowledge. It was unknown what caused the fire. Owner believed it was an electrical fire. The fire department had a hard time extinguishing the fire, and were unsure as to the cause of the fire. A...
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police report filed. Car was serviced regularly and records were available. The car was moved to a storage facility behind a gas station. The insurance company took possession of the vehicle, and considered it a total loss. Audi contacted the owner about an investigation. There were other recalls but nothing about this vehicle. *Ak
While driving 40 mph smoke started to appear inside the vehicle that came out from the dashboard. A fire started. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
While driving engine started missing. Smoke began to come out of the shifter and dashboard. The dashboard caught on fire. The vehicle was totaled. *Ak
A defective ignition switch caused headlights and instrument panel lights to go out. Contacted dealer ,and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*Ak
Audi could not fix multiple problems. Told me to sell it. No safety defect listed within summary. *Ak
It is very difficult to read the instrument panel during the day when the headlights are on. The instrument panel light dim when the headlight are turn on. As you know it is a recommended safety practice to run during daylight with headlight on. I find it difficult to get the information I need under these circumstances. This is a distinct safety hazard in my opinion and may have already caused accidents. The correct is clear. Make the instrument panel light brighter. I have asked for help from audi on several...
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occasions. They have done nothing although one customer service person told me to see my eye doctor. This should be corrected. A quick glance at instruments should be possible at any time. If you have to study hard-to-see instruments instead of looking at the road, danger lurks. *Ak
Audi A6 electrical complaints by year
A6 electrical problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data