1997 Audi A8 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 22.2% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 22.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 11.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
2000: 3; 2003: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002547 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A TERRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER FEELS TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 875245 · 2000-11-20 (November 20, 2000)
BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT. CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP PUSHING BRAKES. TOOK TO DEALER 4 TIMES, AND EVERYTIME DEALER SAID ROTORS WERE DAMAGED. CONSUMER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 10000 MILES. *AK THE VEHICLE MAKER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE A8 ROTORS WEAR QUICKLY. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 875245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558574 · 2000-12-14 (December 14, 2000)
REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB OUT. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028551 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY 1997 AUDI A8 FAILED INTERNALLY AND WAS DISABLED IN IT'S ABILITY TO SPRING BACK FROM THE START POSITION. WITH THE SWITCH CONTACTS IN A POSITION BETWEEN START AND RUN, NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT WILL OPERATE. THIS INCLUDES THE HEADLIGHTS / TAILLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS , WIPERS AND OTHER SYSTEMS. THIS CONDITION CAN ALSO ALLOW THE STARTER TO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. IN THIS INSTANCE, THIS OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME AT NIGHT WITH MY WIFE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS FAILURE REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSU…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028551 at NHTSA ↗