1999 AUDI A6 Electrical System Problems

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.

Mileage: 180,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 181,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

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.

Mileage: 9,000

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 (NHTSA) 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. *TR

Mileage: 142,500

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. *TR

Mileage: 141,500

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. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

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 *TR

Mileage: 95,750

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LCD SCREEN ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WAS NOT VISIBLE AND COULD NOT BE READ. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR IT FOR FREE OR DISCLOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07*JB

Mileage: 69,000

DRIVERS INFORMATION DISPLAY FAILURE. NO WAY TO ACCESS VEHICLE MAINTAINENCE OR SAFETY INFORMATION. DISPLAY SHOULD TELL YOU WHEN TO REPLAY BRAKES, CRITICAL FAILURE ITEMS ETC. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

AUDI A6 CUSTOMER STATES THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE SHE TOOK HER CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS GIVEN A LARGER BILL FOR OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE STEERING AND ENGINE. UPDATE *TR

Mileage: 59,632

1999 AUDI A6 QUATTRO WITH GAUGE CLUSTER PROBLEMS THAT STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED AND THE MULTI-FUNCTION LIQUID CRYSTAL DID NOT INDICATE READABLE INFORMATION , THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FUNCTIONED SPORADICALLY. UPDATE *TR

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. *TR

Mileage: 91,223

TL* - THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 1999 AUDI A6. ON MARCH 19, 2007. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT ON MARCH 20, 2007 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON FOR THE FIRST TIME ,AND THAT THERE WAS BURNT SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AIR IN THE GAS LINES. ON MARCH 21, 2007 THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. ON MARCH 22, 2007 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED, AND THAT THE ENGINE HOSES NEEDED TO BE TUNED. ON MARCH 24, 2007 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP TRANSPORTED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BAD BATTERY, THE HOSES WERE ADJUSTED. THEY WERE ONLY WAITING ON THE PARTS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE CONTACT HAD INFORMED THEM THAT THERE CONTINUED TO BE A STRONG BURNT SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ON MARCH 31, 2007 THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE WORKED ON THE AIR CONDITION UNIT. ON APRIL 1 THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD FAN NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE. ON APRIL 4, 2007 THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL VEHICLES GO THROUGH A 25 POINT INSPECTION BEFORE SALES. ON APRIL 7 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PROFESSIONAL DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE LEAKS ON THE FRONT AND THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. ALL ENGINE CAM SEALS, HOSES, AND ABS MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED . THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD COME TO OVER $5000.00. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST AMERICAR TRADING COMPANY 501 NORTH THOMPSON, SPRING DALE AR, 72764 (479-927-0333) SINCE THEY DID NOT REPORT THAT THESE PROBLEMS EXISTED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE SALE. THE DEALER HAS NOT RETURNED THE CONTACTS CALLS AFTER THIS LAST FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,049, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,594. *AK UPDATED 07/17/07. *JB

Mileage: 120,049

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. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WE CAUSED THE LIGHTS, TURNSIGNLA, HORN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS AND HEAT IN THE CAR TO NO WORK. VERY DANGEROUS. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IGNITION SWITCH MELTED WIRES FROM THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL.

Mileage: 129,930

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 AUDI A6 ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS BOOSTER SEAT, THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD STARTS TO SMOKE . THEN IN LESS THAN A MINUTE FLAMES WERE COMING OUT, BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, MY DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE,WHILE TAKING MY SON OUT THE AIRBAG BLEW, SCARING HIM EVEN MORE, AND NOT TO MENTION ALL THE TOXIC FUMES WE INHALED. THE INSURANCE TELLS ME THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS, AND IF THAT AIRBAG WAS ACTIVATED WHILE I WAS STILL DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *JB

Mileage: 92,000

HEATED STEERING WHEEL BURNS HANDS, SMOKES. DOESN'T VARY WITH SETTINGS. DID NOT ALLOW IT TO GET TO A FIRE CONDITION. *JB

Mileage: 91,000

TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER BROKE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. SHOP WHICH REPAIRED CAR TRIED TO FIND A USED COMPUTER OUT OF 3 OTHER AUDIS AND ALL WERE RUSTY. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT WATER SEEPED BEHIND DASHBOARD AND UNDER DRIVER'S FLOORBOARD, RUSTING OUT COMPUTER ,AND RUINING TRANSMISSION. EVIDENTLY, ALL OTHER AUDIS SHOWED THE SAME WATER DAMAGE IN THE SAME AREA. COMPUTER FAILED TO SEND A SIGNAL TO THE DASHBOARD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND NOT WHILE WE WERE ON THE ROAD. WE INSTALLED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND NEW COMPUTER. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DROVE A VEHICLE ONCE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD, COMING TO A DEAD STOP. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

Mileage: 103,000

MY 1999 AUDI A6 AVANT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE LACK OF TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEATER AND HORN. THE BERNARDSVILLE AUDI DEALERS CLAIMS IT "FRIED SOME WIRES" WHICH TO ME SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD. *JB

Mileage: 127,600

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHE SMELLED MELTED PLASTIC, MAYBE AN ELECTRICAL ODOR. WHEN SHE PULLED OVER FIRE AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD VENTS. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK

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. *NM

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

Mileage: 84,000

FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE VENT ON 1999 A6 SEDAN.*MR WHILE DRIVING SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE AC VENTS THEN FLAME STARTING COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE VENTS. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OF AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A SMALL BURN WHILE PUTTING THE FIRE OUT. THE CONSUMER LOOKED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH (04V13300) BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL. *NM

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 1999 AUDI A-6 SEDAN ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY, WE NOTICED AN ACRID SMELL IN THE CAR. SUDDENLY SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT THE AC VENTS THEN FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT THE VENTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *AK I CALLED THE AUDIOF AMERICA HELP LINE ON THE 16TH OF JULY, GAVE A REPORT AND ON JULY 19, SPOKE TO ANETTE JOHNSON WHO TOOK A FULL FEELING VERY UNSATISFIED BY MS. JOHNSONS UNHELPFUL, THOUGH SYMPATHETIC RESPONSE, I DID A WEB SEARCH USING THE TERMS AUDI, FIRE, DASHBOARD AND DISCOVERED THAT ON MARCH 23, 2004 IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT AUDI WAS RECALLING 172,888 VEHICLES BECAUSE A WIRING PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A FIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO US! I THEN WENT TO THE SITE WWW.INTELLICHOICE.COM/REPORTS/VEHICLEREPORT.EFM/VEHICLE_NMB/11642/SECTION/RECALLS THERE I DISCOVERED THAT THEY DISIPLAY ALL CURRENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE NHTSA IN THEIR RECALL DATABASE AND YOU HAD NOTED THAT 22 REPORTS HAD BEEN FILED ON FIRES ON THIS VEHICLE. ARE WE THE 23RD OR THE 85TH? I CALLED MS. JOHNSON BACK AND ASKED HER WHY, WHEN I DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT AUDI WAS RECALLING CARS FOR SHE HAD NOT TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL AND OFFERED TO REPAIR OUR CAR SINCE IT FELL UNDER THAT PROBLEM. SHE SAID THAT AUDI HAS NOT RELEASED THIS IFORMATION THAT IT WAS PENDING. YET I TOLD HER YOU HAD ASSIGNED A RECALL NUMBER TO IT (ACCORDING TO THE ABOVE SITE). THAT NUMBER IS 04V133000. I AM APPALLED THAT NEWS OF THIS PROBLEM HIT THE MEDIA ON MARCH 24, 2004 AND WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. A FIRE JUST LIKE THE ONES DESCRIBED IN INTELLICHOICES SITE OCCURRED TO US AND WE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. YET, THE AUDI REPRESENTATIVE TOLD US THAT OWNERS STILL HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. MY HUSBAND AND I STILL ARE HAVING HORRIFIC FLASHBACKS TO THAT TERRIFYING MOMENT WHEN FLAMES LEPT INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION TO MAKE AUDI NOTIFY ALL OWNERS OF CARS LIKE OURS IMMEDIATELY.

Mileage: 72,000

WHILE TRAVELING HOME ON THE ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A PECULIAR SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS. AS THE ODOR GOT STRONGER, WE DECIDED TO PULL OVER AND CHECK UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, I SAW NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. A FEW SECONDS LATER, I HEARD MY WIFE EXITING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CABIN BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE. UPON CLOSER REVIEW, I SAW A SMALL FLAME INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE VENT. WE WORKED FRANTICALLY TO PUT THE SMALL FLAME OUT HOWEVER, WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THE FLAME WAS MUCH MORE INTENSE THAN WHAT WAS VISIBLE. SECONDS LATER, THE ENTIRE DASH WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. DUE TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 22 MINUTES TO REACH THE FIRE CONSEQUENTLY; THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED. AFTER SPENDING AN HOUR OR SO GIVING THE STATE POLICE THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED, WE FINALLY REALIZED THAT OUR CELL PHONE, HOUSE KEYS AND OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS WERE LOST IN THE FIRE. WE HAD TO WALK HOME- (3 MILES) AND WAIT FOR MY PARENTS TO BRING OUR SPARE KEY SO WE COULD GET INTO OUR HOUSE. IT TOOK US MORE THAN A WEEK TO GET ALL OF THE PAPERWORK SUBMITTED TO HAVE OUR DRIVERS LICENSE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, ETC. REPLACED. MY PERSONAL COMPUTER THAT HAD MORE THAN 100 SENSITIVE WORK-RELATED DOCUMENTS  (WORTH MORE THAN THE PC) WAS LOST. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE COMPLETELY UNRECOVERABLE AND I HAVENT BEGUN TO EVALUATE THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT WILL TAKE TO REPLICATE THEM.*AK

Mileage: 93,000

CENTER DISPLAY FADED OUT AT 55000 MILES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $900. *AK

Mileage: 54,000

THE CENTRAL DASH CLUSTER, DRIVERS INFORMATION DISPLAY FADES TO ILLEGIBLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF OPERATION. *AK

Mileage: 31,000

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH CONSUMER TURNED THE HEATER ON AND A DISTINCT SMELL CAME FROM THE DASHBOARD, FOLLOWED BY CONDENSATION SMOKE; FIRST BEING GRAY SMOKE, THEN TURNING TO BLACK SMOKE. CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK

I OWN A 1999 AUDI A-6 SEDAN. TODAY IT HAD A FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE. FORTUNATELY IT OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS AT HOME WHERE I HAD ACCESS TO FIR EXTINGUISHERS AND TOOLS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IT TOOK 3 EXTINGUISHERS TO PUT OUT THE BLAZE. JUST MOMENTS EARLIER, MY WIFE AND 5 YEAR OLD SON RETURNED HOME FROM CHURCH COMPLAINING OF A TOXIC SMELL IN THE CAR! WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THE SITUATION WAS NOT WORSE!*AK

Mileage: 44,000

AS THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMAL, LIGHT SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. NOTHING WAS ON, SUCH AS THE AC OR THE HEATER. THERE WERE NO SIGNALS OR ANY ALARMS LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. IN TERMS OF MINUTES, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE LIGHT SMOKE TURNED INTO PITCH BLACK SMOKE, IMMEDIATELY TURNING INTO FLAMES. IN A MATTER OF A MINUTE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE ENTIRE INTERIOR AS WELL AS THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH NO VISIBLE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OR FRONT END. *NLM

Mileage: 64,000

INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FADED TO UNREADABLE. AN ALARM IS GOING OFF AND I CAN'T READ WHAT IT SAYS. A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH AUDI'S. CAN'T BELIEVE THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL.

Mileage: 45,000

WHILE DRIVING MY AUDI 1999 A6 QUATTRO 2.8L MY VEH STATRED TO SMOKE FROM THE DASHBOARD. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WITH IN 5 MINUTES MY VEH WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO INJURIES

Mileage: 60,000

THE IGNITION SYSTEM HAS A FLAW ALLOWING THE IGNITION/AUTO-TRANSMISSION TO BE SWITCHED OFF IN DRIVE. WITHOUT KNOWING THAT HAD HAPPENED, THE DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE WHICH IMMEDIATELY BEGAN ROLLING. THE OWNER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WAS INJURED IN THE PROCESS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*JB

CONSUMER STATES RED PANEL LIGHTING IS VISIBLE AT NIGHT, MECHANIC DISCOVERED A SHORT AT CIGAR LIGHTER HOUSING AND REPAIRED. *JB