Recalls

CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
04V133000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCfrom 08/14/1997 to 02/12/2004V (Vehicle)17286607/26/2004ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC03/18/200403/22/2004
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryA fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesCustomers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
06V198000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCfrom 08/01/1997 to 05/31/2000V (Vehicle)7051212/16/2006ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC06/05/200606/07/2006
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryThis condition could lead to overheating or fire.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesVolkswagen (audi) recall no. jn.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
980108/25/1998603327Subject on open condtion at fuse s14. *yc02/17/1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
A980603/01/1998600912Subject on electrical wiring diagrams, troubleshooting & component locations technical bulleting no. 3. *yc06/12/1998
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
90010411/07/2001900102627106Subject regarding instrument cluster, driver's information display fades. *jg02/05/2002
90010209/28/2001627068Subject regarding instrument cluster, driver's information display fades. *jg02/05/2002

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RQ06003VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC02/27/200607/20/2006DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIRE06V198000
 Volkswagen of america, inc. (voa) conducted a safety recall (nhtsa 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 nhtsa 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 nhtsa number 06v-198.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
RQ06003VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC02/27/200607/20/2006DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIRE06V198000
 Volkswagen of america, inc. (voa) conducted a safety recall (nhtsa 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 nhtsa 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 nhtsa number 06v-198.

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
02/04/2006104000101/08/2005
 On february 4, 2006 i was driving northbound on interstate 95, between exits 15 and 16 in norwalk, connecticut. i was the only occupant of the car, and i was driving in the middle lane at approximately 60 miles per hour. the time was approximately 12:30 pm. smoke and flames suddenly started pouring out of the vents on the dashboard. there was no prior warning that something was wrong with the car, so there was no opportunity to slow down or pull over to the side of the road. the interior of the car quickly filled with black smoke and the dashboard was covered with fire. the steering wheel locked up and it wouldn't turn at all. although i could not steer, the car drifted to the right lane. while smoke and flames were pouring out of the dashboard, and the car was still moving, i opened the passenger side door and jumped out of the car. my back hit the guardrail on the right side of the highway and i fell to the ground. within a minute the car was engulfed in smoke and flames. the interior of the car and all of its contents were completely destroyed by fire. i suffered numerous injuries including smoke inhalation, a concussion, injuries to my neck, back, ribs, legs and pelvis, post traumatic stress disorder, and other injuries. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
05/05/199930
 Audi could not fix multiple problems. told me to sell it. no safety defect listed within summary. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
08/07/2001
 A defective ignition switch caused headlights and instrument panel lights to go out. contacted dealer ,and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
08/07/2001
 A defective ignition switch caused headlights and instrument panel lights to go out. contacted dealer ,and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
05/31/2005105/20/1998
 Dt: on may 31 2005 while driving smelled a burning odor. then, smoke came from air vents, and smoke got worse. while speaking w/ 911 flames began to come from the air vents. fire appeared to come from the air vents. vehicle was operating normally before the fire broke out. there was no warning or codes to owner's knowledge. it was unknown what caused the fire. owner believed it was an electrical fire. the fire department had a hard time extinguishing the fire, and were unsure as to the cause of the fire. a police report filed. car was serviced regularly and records were available. the car was moved to a storage facility behind a gas station. the insurance company took possession of the vehicle, and considered it a total loss. audi contacted the owner about an investigation. there were other recalls but nothing about this vehicle. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
06/23/2004780001
 While driving 40 mph smoke started to appear inside the vehicle that came out from the dashboard. a fire started. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
74000101/12/2002
 While driving engine started missing. smoke began to come out of the shifter and dashboard. the dashboard caught on fire. the vehicle was totaled. *ak
09/28/199930009/01/1997
 It is very difficult to read the instrument panel during the day when the headlights are on. the instrument panel light dim when the headlight are turn on. as you know it is a recommended safety practice to run during daylight with headlight on. i find it difficult to get the information i need under these circumstances. this is a distinct safety hazard in my opinion and may have already caused accidents. the correct is clear. make the instrument panel light brighter. i have asked for help from audi on several occasions. they have done nothing although one customer service person told me to see my eye doctor. this should be corrected. a quick glance at instruments should be possible at any time. if you have to study hard-to-see instruments instead of looking at the road, danger lurks. *ak

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