Check a VIN

1998 Audi A6 acceleration problems

18 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 92,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
92,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Accelerator pedal
    5
  • Linkages
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Audi A6 acceleration problems in other years

1996200020052019

Related recalls

Vehicle speed controlReported October 12, 2004 · 28,300 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
Remedy
Audi will install a replacement throttle body kit free of charge. The recall began on october 29, 2004. Owners may contact audi at 1‑800‑822‑2834. Owners of vehicles which are not registered in the cold-weather states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming, will be notified of a service action, under which they will be provided the free remedy upon request.

Recall number 04V495000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Fuel expulsionOpened January 1, 1999, closed March 24, 1999

By letter dated march 22, 1999, volkswagen notified the federal safety agency that it would take safety recall action to correct the spitback problem on all the subject vehicles.based on the manufacturer's recall action (odi 99v‑058), this investigation is closed.

PE99001

What 1998 Audi A6 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 8, 2007 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · VT

Tl*- the contact owns a 1998 audi a6. There recall 04v495000 in october 2004 concerning vehicle speed control. On 3/08/07 the contact was driving at 65 MPH and without warning the vehicle accelerated to 90 MPH. The contact was unable to reduce the speed, engage the brakes or place the vehicle in neutral. The contact had to force the vehicle in park with the transmission grinding and turned the engine off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and they stated that the vehicle has been serviced for every recall. Road conditions were not a factor. Audi and the dealer stated that the recall repair was performed on the vehicle. The contact didn't agree that the repairs were performed due to the failure she experienced. Audi assured the contact that prior to purchasing the vehicle all related recall repairs were performed. The current and failure mileage were both 100,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2006 · Acceleration · 107,000 miles · TN

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 40mph and attempting to pass another vehicle, the throttle stuck in an open position. The brakes were applied; the vehicle was shifted into neutral and moved to the side of the road. The vehicle's engine was turned off and on in an attempt to release the throttle, but this attempt failed and the engine raced with the transmission in park. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home and the dealer has been alerted.

Filed Oct 29, 2004 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 72,000 miles · VT

I own a 1998 audi a6 quattro (2.8 liter engine). Last winter during a cold spell some part in the pcv valve froze suddenly while driving. This caused the throttle to be stuck at about 4,000 RPM and the car turned into a rocket. Fortunately, I could bring the car to a stop and nobody was hurt. It was quite an experience though, especially since the roads were snowy and icy that day. When I brought the car to the audi dealer I was told that "it may take a week because we are swamped with many other audi a6, all with the same problem. I was told that this is some sort of design flaw with this particular model/engine, and that this will happen again in very cold weather. In april I found a short article in "der spiegel" (the german equivalent to newsweek or time magazines), reporting that the federal safety agency took 16 audi a6 in to test for exactly this problem. What is your advice to customers? Can you force audi to do something about it, since this appears to be a major safety issue? Kindest regards and thank you in advance, hagen blaszyk, md

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Acceleration · 85,000 miles · OH

While driving at any speed vehicle accelerated on its own. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, but dealer was unable to resolve the problem. *ak the dealer suggested the following issues: the floor mat was on the gas pedal, wires were damaged, and a part that was previously replaced per recall failed.

Filed Apr 12, 2004 · Acceleration · NY

I own a 1998 audi a6 which on several occasions has experienced sudden unintended acceleration. While attempting to slow the vehicle by braking for a stop, the engine starts to accelerate and rev all the way to 6000 rpms. The only way to avoid an accident was the depress the brake pedal as hard as possible, put the gear selector in neutral, and turn the engine off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate in a normal fashion.*ak this problem extremely dangerous situation has occurred 3 times since I purchased the vehicle (audi certified pre-owned) and has been reported to the local audi dealer on several occasions. They can find nothing wrong with the car.

Filed Mar 22, 2004 · Acceleration · 152,000 miles · CT

Throttle sticking.

Filed Mar 19, 2004 · Acceleration · NH

Consumer stated that when the temperature was below 0 accelerator stuck. Consumer contacted audi, they knew about the problem, but had no solution. Then, consumer took vehicle to repair shop in january 2004, they had it repaired, but problem recurred.

Filed Mar 17, 2004 · Acceleration · 58,000 miles · PA

The throttle sticks open at highway speed. Vehicle will not stop, the driver has to shut off engine to stop the vehicle.

Filed Mar 17, 2004 · Acceleration · 107,000 miles · CT

I have an audi a6 2.8 1998 during the winter 2003 I was driving during the morning the car was on for 20 minutes and temp was 14 degrees f. Speed was 65 MPH as I approached my exit. I let off gas an car accelerated pushed brake down. Car came to stop but idle was at 1800 RPM and car wanted to lurch forward. Made it to work 1 mile away brought to mechanic and he found no problem but he did clean the throttle body. No problems , for 3 weeks. Event two: going home 6:30pm temp 15 f speed approx 60 MPH going up hill. Car started pulling faster. Decided to pump gas pedal figuring stuck cable just went faster. Decided to see if would stop at specific speed approached 95 MPH realized car would keep going. Stepped on break, pulled to side finally came to stop. Turned car off , waited 30 secs started car. Rpm out of control. Turned off car and waited 5 minutes. Turned car on, no problems. Went back on my way happened 3 more times that winter. Temp is always between 14-17 f car is always warmed up. No problem during spring, summer, or fall year 2004. Moved closer to work, car ride never longer than 10 minutes. One time car on hill doing 65 MPH speeded up pulled over turned car off waited 6 minutes (timed) turned on car no problem from my results car problem always occurs when temp 13-17 f car is warmed up if problem occurs pull to side of road car is stopped but RPM 1800+ turn car off wait 5+ minutes start car no problems.

Filed Mar 17, 2004 · Acceleration · 91,000 miles · OR

Car was purchased used (1998 - 90k miles-one owner-very well maintained) first week of december 2003. Incident happened approx. First week of january 2004. Audi has been contacted with no reply received to date. Incident occurred while traveling on highway approx. 50 MPH, weather conditions were clear and very cold (approx. 25f). As auto was cresting incline, it began to gather speed. Accelerator was backed off but car continued to accelerate at an alarming pace. Brakes were applied several times and as I was preparing to cut ignition car stopped accelerating. This happened is a matter of seconds, but was definitely a panic situation. Car has not repeated this condition. I was referred to your site by audiworld forum members, where I turned for any helpful information and read of similar occurrences.

Questions about the 1998 Audi A6 acceleration

Does the 1998 Audi A6 have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the acceleration of the 1998 Audi A6, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Audi A6 acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 92,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Audi A6 acceleration?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V495000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Audi A6 have the most acceleration problems?

The Audi A6 model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1999 (24 complaints) and 1998 (18 complaints).

Other 1998 Audi A6 problems

Fuel system 35Brakes 19Steering 13Suspension 11Body 9Electrical 8Engine 6Visibility 5Airbags 4Lights 4Tires 3Seat belts 2Transmission 2Locks 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1998 Audi A6?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history