1997 Audi A8: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 ↗
Owner report 10113823 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER'S 1997 AUDI A8 QUATTRO ACCELERATED SUDDENLY. *NM *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115642 · 2005-03-23 (March 23, 2005)
VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT IN REVERSE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BUMPER GOT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND RIPPED OUT COMPLETELY. CONSUMER ANTICIPATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TOO LOW, AND HAD INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176010 · 2006-12-13 (December 13, 2006)
MY 1997 AUDI A8 HAS AIR BAG LIGHT DISPLAY IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON A RECENT VISIT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY HAVE RESET THE FAULT CODE. WHEREVER, SOON AFTER THAT THE WARNING LIGHT CAME UP AGAIN AND STAY ON NOW. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THERE WERE MANY OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR OF THE A8. I READ THE OWNER'S MANUEL, AND IT SAYS IF THE AIR BAG WARNING IS ON, WHEN COLLISION OCCURS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL BECOME DEACTIVA…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176112 · 2006-12-14 (December 14, 2006)
MY 1997 AUDI A8 IS EQUIPPED WITH A VEHICLE JACK THAT IS GROSSLY INADEQUATE FOR CHANGING A TIRE AND IS HAZARDOUS TO ANYONE USING IT-- IT IS PRONE TO COLLAPSE. MANY USERS OF THIS JACK HAVE EXPERIENCED COLLAPSE, AND AUDI DOES NOT CARE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176112 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 735848 · 2000-11-06 (November 6, 2000)
WE WANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE ODOMETER "ROLLBACK" (CHANGING FROM KILOMETERS TO MILES). DOES THIS CONSTITUTE ODOMETER FRAUD IF STICKER WAS NOT ON THE DOOR WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE? WE WANT TO KNOW IF ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WERE MET FOR IMPORTATION TO THE U. S. FROM MEXICO IN 1999. AND WERE ALL TAXES AND/OR PENALTIES PAID IN FULL? ALSO WERE ALL DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS COMPLIED WITH? VEHICLE ID NUMBER IS NOT ON THE DASH ON LEFT-HAND SIDE, VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735848 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V397000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2008-08-14 (August 14, 2008)
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 13,900 MY 1996-2003 AUDI A8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE LOCKING CABLE MAY MOVE OUT OF POSITION OVER TIME. WITH THE LOCKING CABLE OUT OF POSITION, THE SHIFTER CAN BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION EVEN IF THE IGNITION KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION LOCK.
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE BY INSTALLING AN ADJUSTING PIECE THAT WILL SECURE THE LOCKING CABLE IN PLACE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V175000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 1997-10-08 (October 8, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
NHTSA campaign record ↗