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1999 Audi A6 electrical problems

37 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 91,000.

owner complaints
37
of this car's complaints
17%
typical mileage
91,000
crashes
0
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Wiring: interior/under dash
    8
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    4
  • Ignition: switch
    3
  • Wiring
    2
  • Ignition
    2
  • 12v/24v/48v battery
    1

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 electrical problems in other years

1994200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Audi A6 electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 17

Related recalls

Electrical systemReported June 5, 2006 · 70,512 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 06V198000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported March 18, 2004 · 172,866 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
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.

Recall number 04V133000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Driver's side dash fireOpened February 27, 2006, closed July 20, 2006

Volkswagen of america, inc. (voa) conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall number 04v133) to add a plastic cover to the top section of the knee bolster crossmember to prevent contact with the headlight switch wiring harness.the scope of the original recall covered model years 1998 through 2004 with vehicle production dates of august 1997 through december 2004.the office of defects investigation has received nine complaints alleging that after having the recall remedy performed, a fire started in the driver's side dashboard area.voa reports that if the plastic cover is not installed properly by the dealers, the headlight switch wiring harness could continue to contact the crossmember, resulting in a short and/or fire in the driver's side dashboard area.voa will conduct a new safety recall to add an additional (and larger) cover over both the knee bolster crossmember and the plastic cover assembly installed in the first recall.all of the federal safety agency complaints and all but 3 voa claims are for my 1998 through my 2000.voa reports that beginning in my 2001, audi extended the time for the deburring process of the crossmember.voa was not able to verify the cause of fire in the my 2001 and later vehicles due to either extensive fire damage or other reason.the rate of fire occurrence is significantly less for the my 2001 and later vehicles. The recall covers model years 1998 through 2000 with vehicle production dates of august 1997 through may 2000.voa will recall 66358 my 1998-2000 audi a6, a6 avant, s6, and s6 avant vehicles.odi is aware of a total of 59 warranty, field and consumer reports for these vehicles.the recall is identified by the federal safety agency number 06v‑198.

RQ06003

Drivers side dash fireOpened November 25, 2003, closed May 7, 2004

The subject vehicles are equipped with a knee bolster located under the dash, near the drivers knees.a wiring harness is also located in the dash, in that same area.audi's analysis of 39 vehicles indicated that the knee bolster was rubbing against that wiring harness.over time the harness sheathing wears away and the wires come into contact with the metal knee bolster, resulting in a fire. Audi will conduct a safety recall on an expanded scope of audi a6 vehicles, to add a plastic cap to the top of the knee bolster bracket, which will prevent abrasion to the wiring harness. Audi will recall 186,000 my 1998-2004 audi a6 vehicles.odi is aware of a total of 24 warranty, field and consumer reports for these vehicles.the recall is identified by the federal safety agency number 04v‑133.

EA03025

Drivers side dashboard fireOpened July 25, 2003, closed November 25, 2003

Of the 22 total complaints, 11 were received for the 1999 model year and 11 for the 2000 model year. Audi is conducting testing to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

PE03035

What 1999 Audi A6 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 180,000 miles · IA

Takata recall I've had to replace a wheel bearing and axel 2x @ $550 each time. Car wouldn't align right, so I replaced the tires several times due to the wearing on one side. The calipers won't come off when changing the brakes and rotors. The automatic windows would randomly roll down sometimes after it would rain, and wouldn't roll back up for several days. I fixed the turn signal and cruise control, but the problems with those returned after a couple weeks, and while I was driving the under cover/protector plastic broke off all over the road because the audi dealership apparently forgot to put it back on properly. This possibly allowed for the oil pan to hit the ground and crack, which a suspension problem was clearly part of that problem too. I took it in to see about a crack in the oil pan. They couldn't find it, but shortly thereafter, I drove to the movie store and when I got back to my car, it was no longer running. A puddle of oil was spilling out of it, and the the engine was shot. I had the car for about 2 years. I'm guessing that the problems stemmed from the what the car was recalled for.

Filed Mar 6, 2013 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · ID · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 audi a6. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, smoke and flames began to enter the vehicle through the air vents. The contact moved the vehicle over and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact stated that the passenger sustained burns to the fingers. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection and the cause of the fire was unknown. There was not a police or fire report filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2010 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · NJ · fire

Smoke erupted through vent system. Pulled car to side of road and family of 4 evacuated. Within 90 seconds, the dash erupted into flames. Interior/dash etc. Was totally destroyed. Motor compartment untouched by fire. Seems to have occurred in electrical system. Have pictures of fire and fire dept response.

Filed Sep 8, 2009 · Electrical · 181,000 miles · WI · fire

While driving my audi a6 avant quattro, smoke began coming out of the drivers side dash vent. I stopped the car as soon as I safely could and called 911, as soon as I was out of the vehicle the smoke became worse and flames began rolling out of the dash area. The fire was extinguished almost immediately with a fire extinguisher which a nearby resident luckily had handy. By viewing this fire at close range I am certain that the vehicle would have been completely engulfed within minutes. The fire department used a heat sensing tool to determine that the source of the fire or hotspot was very near the fuse box behind the headlight switch. They cut the dash apart to be sure the fire was completely out. I had no warning of this malfunction and am just thankful that I was able to get away from the vehicle as quickly as I did.

Filed Apr 19, 2009 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · WI

During normal use and driving ABS, brake light and the air bag light comes on. Erratic at first then steady. Diagnosis: ABS controller failure. During period of failure vehicle operates but without automatic braking system. This appears to be a common concern after conducting a quick internet search. Mechanic states this is common.

Filed Dec 8, 2008 · Electrical · 9,000 miles · VA · fire · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 audi a6. While driving 65 MPH, the contact smelled a toxic odor from the driver's side of the vehicle. He noticed green smoke coming from the vents and pulled the vehicle over. The smoke from all four of the vents turned into flames. The contact exited the vehicle and the fire department was called and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and the vehicle was inspected to determine the cause of the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained minor injuries and had to go to the hospital. The failure and current mileages were 9,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Electrical · 142,500 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

On may 2nd, 2007 I brought my vehicle for repair to beverly hills audi service. Specifically I informed him that there was a burning smell coming from the vehicle that penetrated my sinuses like sulfur. Beverly hills audi service department was able to duplicate the same smell and burning sensation during that week. They advised me that certain parts needed to be changed and I authorized the repair totaling almost $2,000.00. On may 10th, 2007 I picked up my vehicle and drove it for a couple of days. On may 16th, 2007 I contacted beverly hills audi service department and advised my service adviser that I could still smell the burning in the car and that it was unbearable. I proceeded to drive the car to the service department and on the way the car began to burn a horrible smell and within a few moments there were flames coming out of the dashboard from the AC vents. I immediately shut down the car and proceeded to the left of the 405 north freeway and put the car to a stop. At that time the car was completely in flames and I was fortunate to get the door open. I ran away and watched the car blow up and go into complete flames. The fire department and police arrived minutes later. The fire department determined it was an electrical fire from the dashboard. I researched on the internet (the federal safety agency) if their had been issues with audi a6 vehicles catching on fire and found that their had been a recall campaign initiated in july 26th, 2004. It stated that in certain passenger vehicles a fire could originate in the left dashboard area. I contacted the beverly hills service department and was advised that the recall had not been performed on my vehicle. My vehicle had been serviced ten times since the recall was initiated. Recall for the audi 1999 a6 - recall 04v133000. I can provide additional information, if needed. At this time I have filed a complaint against vw of america, audi of america, and beverly hills service department.

Filed Jun 2, 2008 · Electrical · 141,500 miles · NJ · fire

I parked and shut off my car to go in a store leaving a friend in there to wait. I was in the store for 2 mins and my friend came in and said there was smoke coming from the vents, an abundance of smoke. I went outside to see and witnessed what was happening and proceeded to open the hood of the car to see if the engine was causing the smoke. I opened the hood to realize that the smoke in fact was not coming from the engine. I walked back around to the driver side door and saw flames coming from the vent and a man walked up to say get away. Immediately I called 911 and tried to explain as I was hysterically crying. I went back into the store, which was rite aid and they proceeded to move any persons to the back of the store. The car continued to engulf in flames and continued to burn. The fire department finally showed up. There was a car parked next to me and was also damaged.

Filed Feb 11, 2008 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · NC

The center dashboard digital display on both my 1998 a4 & 1999 a6 has fading to the point you can't see and read the digital engine analyst read outs to alert the driver about engine & electrical problems. Which could lead to major engine failure.

Filed Dec 18, 2007 · Electrical · 95,750 miles · MI · fire

December 13, 2007 audi of rochester hills 45441 dequindre road rochester hills, michigan 48307 attention: service manager subject: safety concern 1999 audi a6 avant to whom it may concern: this evening, shortly after turning on the seat heater (which automatically turns on the steering wheel heater) I noticed a strong odor (burning plastic) & smoke being emitted from the steering wheel. The smoke was coming from behind the horn/airbag module. I turned off the seat heater, but that did not stop the steering wheel from continuing to heat-up and emit smoke. I had to roll down the windows and open the sunroof (very enjoyable in 30 degree temperature!) in order to be able to ventilate the cabin & be able to drive the vehicle home. After arriving home, I located the fuse related to the steering wheel heater and removed it so that I could drive the vehicle to your shop. (the fuse is in the center console.) this obviously poses the following safety risks: fire hazard emission of toxic fumes in the cabin risk of inadvertent airbag deployment please have the problem investigated and contact me with the findings, as soon as possible. Sincerely, ken guity

Questions about the 1999 Audi A6 electrical

Does the 1999 Audi A6 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the electrical of the 1999 Audi A6, 17% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1999 Audi A6 electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 91,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Audi A6 electrical?

Yes, 2 recalls: 06V198000, 04V133000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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

The Audi A6 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2019 (84 complaints), 1996 (38 complaints) and 1999 (37 complaints).

Other 1999 Audi A6 problems

Brakes 39Fuel system 39Acceleration 24Steering 19Engine 17Suspension 15Transmission 12Airbags 8Body 8Lights 8Seats 8Visibility 8Tires 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2

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