1998 Audi A6: common problems and reliability

The 1998 Audi A6 has 134 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel system and gasoline. Owners most often flag timing belt replacement is extremely labor-intensive (engine must be put into service position) and expensive: frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 1998 model year

134
Owner complaints
10
Recalls
7
Crash reports
7
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Audi A6 vehicles (US, public record).

Is 1998 a good year for the A6?

Across the 25 A6 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2023) to 231 (1999). With 134 complaints, the 1998 A6 sits abovethe model's median of 59.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

fuel system
38
gasoline
32
service brakes
20
hydraulic
18
vehicle speed control
18

Recalls affecting the 1998 A6

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 20V056000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) th

electrical system

Campaign 06V198000

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 B

fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

Campaign 01V157000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INS

steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

Campaign 99V248000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT S

What owners report on the 1997-2004 A6

Owners are sharply divided on this generation. Many describe it as a beautiful, classic design that is rewarding to drive when running well, but the overwhelming sentiment is that it is an expensive, unreliable daily driver at this age. The 2.7T biturbo engine

  • Timing belt replacement is extremely labor-intensive (engine must be put into service position) and expensive: Frequency: very frequent
  • 2.7T biturbo engine is notoriously unreliable and prone to turbo failure: Frequency: very frequent
  • Engine failure before 160k-180k miles is common, especially on the 2.7T: Frequency: recurrent
  • Auxiliary water pump failure: Frequency: recurrent
  • Oil pump failure (some owners report multiple replacements): Frequency: recurrent

Owner insights for the 1997-2004 A6. Read the full 1997-2004 owner report.

Typical used price

Used A6 listings typically run $15,991–$61,219 across 2015 to 2026 model years.

Other A6 model years

Compare every A6 year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.

Compare the A6 against its rivals