1999 Audi A6: headlights failing or too dim

8 of the 217 complaints about the 1999 Audi A6 describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 7 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

2026
1
2025
1
2021
1
2019
2
2010
1
2008
6
2007
3
2006
4
2005
1
2004
1
2002
1
2001
5
2000
2
1999
8
1998
3
1997
4
1996
9
1995
1

What owners say

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, 2007 · Electrical · 91,223 miles · CO · fire

I was pouring windshield fluid into my audi a6 one day. I sat down in the car to move it onto the street because I wanted to wash it, I turned the ignition on, as I got in I smelled burning plastic. I thought nothing of it so I drove it to the street. Smoke started pouring out of the vents on the drivers side of the cabin. I rolled down the windows and the sunroof because I thought the air-conditioning or heater was having a problem. I turned the car off and got out and watched the smoke for a minute. The smoke then turned a black-dark grey color. Then came flames pouring out of the vent on the drivers side. Just then I hear this piercing screech and pop, the car was completely ruined inside and soot spewed everywhere around the car I then turned the hose on which I already had out from when I was going to wash my car. I put a majority of the fire out, so I walked over to my garage and got a fire extinguisher and sprayed it all over to make sure it was out. I hosed my car out and around, surprisingly the interior was still intact but just a tad bit dirty, so I took it to my friend who owns a dealer/body shop and he got the car fixed and its just like new again. He was saying something about wiring and headlights but I was just happy that my car was back. Please fix this audi because I would hate to see someone get hurt over this problem and be less fortunate than I was. Out of the whole mess I had to get a new dashboard, steering wheel, windshield and wiring also a paint kit. The car looks stunning I also had to get it detailed after so the total cost to repair was $1967.34 I love this car otherwise and I hope this does not happen again.

Filed Feb 1, 2007 · Electrical · MN

1999 audi a-6 had a recall on headlight switch wires and dealer refuse to fix problem**cc the consumer was told by the dealer that they could not perform the recall due to the vehicle having an after market device installed. The after market accessories were wired into the headlights system.

Filed Jul 21, 2006 · Steering · 120,000 miles · NJ · 1 injury

My 1999 audi a6 avant's heated steering wheel would overheat to the point I could not touch it. It caused the ignition swith's wires to melt and I had to have the ignition switch replaced by audi and the heated wheel deactivated. The failed ignition switch caused my headlights, horn, windshieldwipers to not work. Everything now works after the switch was replaced and the steering wheel heater deavctivated by my audi dealer.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

Audi a6 1999. The vehicle was able to be started easily while in gear. *sc the master cylinder failed without warning. The low beam headlight burned out without warning.

Filed Jun 17, 2002 · Lights · CA

While driving the light projected upward from the headlight lenses creating so much brightness on the large incoming snowflakes causing poor visibility. Consumer noticed that there was not enough heat generated by the low beams and ice had built up over the lenses.

Filed Jan 14, 2000 · Lights · CT

When driving at night low beams illuminated up to a certain point, and then drive was unable to see. Contacted a dealer, and was told that this was the characteristic of the vehicle. Was told to drive with high beams.

Filed Feb 19, 1999 · Lights · MA

Vehicles low beam projection lamps are so narrow that there is little light to illuminate road surfaces resulting in poor visibility. Dealer adjusted the low beams up, that adjustment raised the high beams as well and now the high beams are off the road.