Audi A4, A6, A8 Recall R/1999/072: Potential Premature Wear Of Steering Ball Joints, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 1 Nov 1999
- Launched
- 38,307
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1999/072
- DVSA reference
Audi recalled A4, A6, A8 vehicles built between 1 March 1998 and 31 August 1998. Faulty seals could lead to premature wear of the track rod bearings (ends) and if the warning noises are ignored it is possible that the track rod bearing pin could work loose and affect steering control. The dealer will replace the track rod ends with ones fitted with an improved seal. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Faulty seals could lead to premature wear of the track rod bearings (ends) and if the warning noises are ignored it is possible that the track rod bearing pin could work loose and affect steering control.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POTENTIAL PREMATURE WEAR OF STEERING BALL JOINTS Defect: Faulty seals could lead to premature wear of the track rod bearings (ends) and if the warning noises are ignored it is possible that the track rod bearing pin could work loose and affect steering control. Remedy: Recall vehicles in order to replace the track rod ends with ones fitted with an improved seal.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could lead to premature wear of the track rod bearings (ends) and if the warning noises are ignored it is possible that the track rod bearing pin could work loose and affect steering control.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the track rod ends with ones fitted with an improved seal.
Are You Affected?
A4, A6, A8 built between 1 March 1998 and 31 August 1998 may be included. Audi estimates 38,307 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Audi, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
- Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1999/072. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
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|---|---|---|---|
| A6, Q8Belt buckle rivet missing | Urgent | R/2025/508 | |
| A6, A7, Q5Software update for battery control unit | Urgent | R/2025/463 | |
| A8, Q7, Q8Software update for battery control unit | Urgent | R/2025/441 | |
| A3, A4, A4 Cabrio, A5 and 3 moreStop-drive TAKATA PSAN | Stop driving | R/2025/387 | |
| A6, Q5Servicing high-voltage battery | Stop driving | R/2024/495 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/1998/116 on 26 Jan 1999, for possible jamming of accelerator mechanism. The one launched after it was R/2000/008 on 17 Apr 2000, for instability and loss of directional control could occur. You can also see every Audi recall, the Audi A4 recall history, all recalls launched in 1999 and steering recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1999/072, launched 1 November 1999. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.