The defect
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 remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Audi A6 | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| Audi Allroad | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| Audi RS6 | 2003 |
| Audi S6 | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A6 | 1998 | 130 | 10 |
| Audi A6 | 1999 | 217 | 9 |
| Audi A6 | 2000 | 148 | 4 |
| Audi A6 | 2001 | 113 | 7 |
| Audi A6 | 2002 | 88 | 4 |
| Audi A6 | 2003 | 66 | 7 |
| Audi A6 | 2004 | 35 | 4 |
| Audi Allroad | 2001 | 17 | 3 |
| Audi Allroad | 2002 | 8 | 3 |
| Audi Allroad | 2003 | 14 | 3 |
| Audi Allroad | 2004 | 15 | 3 |
| Audi RS6 | 2003 | 43 | 2 |
| Audi S6 | 1998 | 1 | 1 |
| Audi S6 | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Audi S6 | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
| Audi S6 | 2001 | 1 | 1 |
| Audi S6 | 2002 | 7 | 2 |
| Audi S6 | 2003 | 2 | 2 |
| Audi S6 | 2004 | 0 | 1 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2004
36 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the electrical system; VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC filed 63 campaigns in all.
| 04V580000 10 Dec 2004 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 04V568000 9 Dec 2004 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 04V578000 8 Dec 2004 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 04V577000 7 Dec 2004 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 04V549000 23 Nov 2004 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 04V513000 28 Oct 2004 | FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL |
| 04V512000 20 Oct 2004 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 04V491000 15 Oct 2004 | MEDTEC AMBULANCE CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004