NHTSA Opens Sudden Acceleration Investigation Into 1998-1999 Audi A6 Cars

DETROIT March 15, 2004; Dow Jones reported that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into 1998 and 1999 Audi A6 cars.

The agency has received 16 reports that the throttle on the cars, made by Volkswagen AG , can get stuck open even when the driver stops pressing on the accelerator. Six complaints said the problem happened more than once, and four complaints said the only way to stop the car was to turn off the engine.

All of the complaints were from drivers living in Northeastern states.