1998 Audi A6 Recall

On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash.

In a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the driver-front airbag may not inflate properly. This could create a risk of injury.

The company will notify owners by mail. There may be a significant delay before replacement parts are available. The company will send you a second letter once replacement parts are available and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. If the inflator requires replacement, a newly design part will be installed.

On certain vehicles, if a plastic cover is not securely installed to the drivers-side support crossmember, the headlight switch wiring harness could short out on the crossmember and cause a fire. Note: Further evaluation revealed that only U.S. vehicles are affected. Canadian-market vehicles are equipped with a different headlamp switch wiring harness which includes Daytime Running Lights (DRL). As a result Canadian vehicles will not experience this type of electrical wiring problem, therefore the recall is cancelled.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.8L V6 5-valve engine and automatic transmission, while driving for a considerable period of time at a steady rate of speed during extremely low ambient temperatures (-15 degrees Celsius or below), the throttle may not return to idle position due to ice accumulating in the throttle body. In this instance the driver can apply additional brake force or take other actions (such as shifting into Neutral, turning off the ignition, etc.) to positively stop the vehicle. In the absence of such action, the vehicle may maintain speed when the driver expects the vehicle to slow. If this occurs, it could lead to an increase in the stopping distance and possible collision with bystanders, a fixed object or another vehicle which may cause serious injuries or even death. Correction: Dealers will replace the throttle body assembly.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain Audi S6, A6 and A6 Allroad Quattro, contact between the left driver's side crash element and the headlight switch wiring harness could eventually result in an electrical short. Even though such an electrical short is not very likely, it could result, in a worst-case scenario, in a fire originating in the left dashboard area. Correction: Dealer will install a protective covering on the crash element and inspect the wiring harness for damage.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain Audi A6 Quattro, sulphur in the fuel interacting with certain additives found in widely available fuel can become deposited on certain contact points on three sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. Low electrical resistance at contact points of any unit signals that the tank is full. The accumulation of sulphur deposits on contacts would increase the resistance and erroneously signal that the tank is filled with fuel while in fact it may not be full or could be empty. If a driver is not cognizant of the miles driven and the potential driving range of their vehicle from a fuel fill, the erroneous fuel level signal could cause the vehicle to become inoperable without prior warning. Correction: Fuel sending units will be replaced with redesigned sending units.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the steering assembly tie rod seals do not seal properly. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing may wear over time to a point where the steering begins to feel "loose" and could diminish the steering control of the vehicle with the potential for a vehicle crash. Correction: Tie rods will be replaced on affected vehicles.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, a control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 degrees F. This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster resulting in possible loss of power brake assist. Correction: A vacuum by-pass system will be installed on affected vehicles.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE BACKFIRE DURING COLD START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER COULD BECOME DAMAGED. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. CORRECTION: A SCREEN RETAINING RING WILL BE INSTALLED AND DAMAGED SCREENS WILL BE REPLACED.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).