Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Audi A6, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system37
- Service brakes, hydraulic31
- Fuel system, gasoline26
- Vehicle speed control24
- Steering19
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Fuel system, other15
- Suspension15
- Power train12
- Seats8
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 15 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1999 Audi A6 failed the safety check 2.49% of the time — 41% more often than the average 1999 passenger car (1.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 146,088 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1999 Audi A6 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.4 petrol (121 kW, 162 hp), 4.2 petrol (220 kW, 295 hp) and 2.8 petrol (142 kW, 190 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 petrol | 121 kW 162 hp | 80 |
| 4.2 petrol | 220 kW 295 hp | 30 |
| 2.8 petrol | 142 kW 190 hp | 23 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
191 first registered in 1999 are on Dutch roads; 31% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €85,002.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen117
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af58
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde58
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm51
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling37
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld34
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect32
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af30
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
88 cars built in 1999 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 624 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 187 of these cars first registered in 1999 took their annual MOT test. 59% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1999 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 23.5% | 16.6% |
| Brakes | 15.5% | 12.2% |
| Suspension | 13.9% | 13.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.3% | 9.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.6% | 7.3% |
| Steering | 7.5% | 3.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
134 of these cars first registered in 1999 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 335,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
22 1999 cars are on the New Zealand register; 32% arrived as used imports, 64% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 12.5–13.0 L/100 km (about 18–19 mpg US), CO₂ 288–299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| A6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.1 | 9.3 | 12.5 |
| A6 quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.5 | 9.9 | 13.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
8 Transport Canada recalls for the 1999 Audi A6.
| 2020032 29 Jan 2020 | Airbag 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 cra… |
| 2006152 15 Jun 2006 | Electrical 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 o… |
| 2004369 8 Oct 2004 | Engine 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… |
| 2004095 16 Mar 2004 | Electrical 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 res… |
| 2002104 3 Mar 2001 | Steering On certain vehicles the tie rods of the steering assembly may be inadequately sealed to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mec… |
| 2000132 16 Jun 2000 | Fuel System 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… |
| 1999195 29 Oct 1999 | Steering 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… |
| 1999095 19 May 1999 | Brakes 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… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT IN FACT BE FULL OR COULD BE EMPTY.
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.
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.
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.
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 EJECTED AFTER A COMPLETE FILL-UP WHEN THE FUEL PUMP NOZZLE IS REMOVED FROM THE FILLER NECK.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 1999 Audi A6: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 627106 | SUBJECT REGARDING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, DRIVER'S INFORMATION DISPLAY FADES. *JG |
| 627068 | SUBJECT REGARDING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, DRIVER'S INFORMATION DISPLAY FADES. *JG |
| 621505 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE ENGINE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START. *TT |
| 610273 | REVISED INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EXHIBITING AN INCORRECT FUEL GAUGE READING. *TT |
| 610267 | SUBJECT REGARDING AN INCORRECT FUEL READING ON FUEL GAUGE (ERRATIC, STUCK ON FULL OR EMPTY). *TT |
| 601888 | INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ON CELLULAR TELEPHONES. *YC |
| 10251027 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10250950 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10249085 | Google Maps Street View (NVLW)) |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10243930 | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. |
| 10243787 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243780 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10231130 | Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants |
| 10216682 | Engine oils that meet Audi Oil Quality Standards. |
| 10216662 | Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
| 10216656 | Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
| 10216638 | If the vehicle?s engine experienced a serious mechanical problem, it is possible that small pieces of metal debris resulting from the mechanical problem may have become deposited in the intake manifold, air intake hoses, exhaust manifolds, exhaust down-pipes, turbocharger, supercharger, and/or intercooler. If these pieces are not removed prior to the installation and operation of the replacement engine, the pieces may be drawn into the combustion chamber, which can cause a knocking noise and subsequent serious engine damage. |
| 10164518 | This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries. |
| 10163501 | This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19. 2005-2019 A3, 1996-2019 A4, 2008-2019 A5, 1992-2019 A6, 2012-2019 A7, 1997-2019 A8, 2019 E-Tron, 2015-2019 Q3, 2010-2019 Q5, 2007-2019 Q7, 2019 Q8, 2000-2019 TT, 2008-2018 R8 |
| 10161273 | This bulletin contains instructions for additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries (airbag/seatbelts, accidents, fire and overheat damage). 2008-2021A3, 2015-2021A3 Cabrio, 2005-2016 A3 Sportback, 1999-2021 A4, 2010-2021 A4 allroad, 1999-2012 A4 Avant, 2003-2009 A4 Cabrio, 2010-2021 A5 Cabrio, 2008-2021 A5 Coupe, 2018-2021 A5 Sportback, 1999-2021A6, 1999-2011A6 Avant, 2008-2020 A7, 1999-2021 A8, 2008-2019 e-tron, 2019-2021 e-tron quattro, 2015-2021 Q3, 2009-2021 Q5, 2007-2021 Q7, 2019 Q8, 2008-2020 R8 Coupe, 2011-2020 R8 Spyder, 2017-2019 RS3, 2007-2008 RS4, 2008 RS4 Ca |
| 10155644 | This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward. |
| 10128399 | Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 14-50 dated June 20, 2014. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service. |
| 10128350 | This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change. |
| 10128222 | Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified two US based suppliers to support dealers in USA and Canada. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIRE
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRE
DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD FIRE
STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATS
BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
FUEL EXPULSION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation