Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
130Complaints
10Recalls
6Crashes
7Fires
4Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly (13.8% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
7 · 5.4%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Suspension:front:control Arm
7 · 5.4%
No official action
—
Structure:body:bumpers
6 · 4.6%
No official action
—
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
6 · 4.6%
Recalled
Recall 99V248000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP7 · 5.4%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM7 · 5.4%
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS6 · 4.6%
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY6 · 4.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL5 · 3.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE5 · 3.8%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP4 · 3.1%
Unspecified / other4 · 3.1%
Percentages are the share of the 130 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO REDUCE SPEED WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS HIS/HER FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL. THIS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“1998 AUDI A6 FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING AT THE SEAMS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND NO DAMAGE TO THE TANK. GARAGE FULL OF GAS FUMES AND…”NHTSA complaint 10038807 — filed 09/12/2003 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
“CONSUMER STATES HE COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE GARAGE, A MECHANIC FOUND A FUEL LEAK DUE TO A SPLIT IN THE…”NHTSA complaint 566829 — filed 07/23/2002 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
“CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V137, HOWEVER CONSUMER IS ANGRY THAT ON THE LETTER IT STATES REPAIR WOULD BE DONE BY AUGUST 7, 2000, CONSUMER FINALLY SPOKE…”NHTSA complaint 560216 — filed 03/06/2001 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Audi A6?
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly issues are the most-reported category, cited in 18 of 130 NHTSA complaints (13.8%), followed by vehicle speed control (11), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7), suspension:front:control arm (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Audi A6 have?
130 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V056000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Audi A6's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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