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1999 Audi A8: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

9 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

61,405 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting222.2%
Braking behavior111.1%
Electrical and battery issues111.1%

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.

Electrical System
2
Air Bags
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
Power Train
1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
1
Seats
1
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System2
Air Bags1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission1
Seats1
Structure:Body:Bumpers1

Electrical System: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 1; Structure:Body:Bumpers: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 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.

2002
1
2003
2
2004
2
2013
1
2015
1
2022
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20021
20032
20042
20131
20151
20222

2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2022: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10052198 · 2003-12-31 (December 31, 2003)

THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF TWICE WITHOUT HITTING ANY OBJECTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 51,275 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052198 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10058323 · 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)

1999 AUDI A8 CONTINUES TO ERODE THE INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE REAR TIRES, APPROX 1/32ND PER 20 DAYS, HAVE PLACED 4 TIRES ON IT AND THE DEALER HAS PLAYED WITH THE ALIGNMENT TO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT. THIS HAS NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 71,534 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058323 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10101607 · 2004-11-24 (November 24, 2004)

VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER DOORS OPEN AUTOMATICALLY WHENEVER POWER WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN. DOORS WILL NOT SHUT UNLESS OWNER PULLS OVER AND SHUTS DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101607 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10498549 · 2013-02-18 (February 18, 2013)

MINE IS A WELL-MAINTAINED, NEAR-PRISTINE, LOW-MILEAGE CAR. WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY CEASED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY, FOUR-LANE URBAN HIGHWAY. IT RESULTED IN THE CAR HAVING LIMITED FORWARD MOTION, POOR CONTROL, AND VASTLY DIMINISHED POWER, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC. I NARROWLY AVOIDED A COLLISION WITH OTHER CARS. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK ABOUT 20 MILES TO MY RESIDENCE IN THE LIMP-HOME MODE--ONE FORWARD GEAR, THE ENGINE REVVING BETWEEN 3…

Owner-reported narrative. 50,546 miles reported. Look up ODI 10498549 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10747646 · 2015-08-10 (August 10, 2015)

AFTER INSPECTING MY MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TIRES ON MY AUDI A8 I BECAME ALARMED ABOUT EXCESIVE SIDEWALL CRACKING AND SEARCHED FOR RECALLS...NONE? BEGAN READING COMPLAINTS AND NOTICED MANY OTHER SIDEWALL "DRYROT" ISSUES. WILL TAKE BACK TO RETAILER TO SEEK HELP!? HOPE TO PREVENT A BLOWOUT!

Owner-reported narrative. 206,228 miles reported. Look up ODI 10747646 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11446879 · 2022-01-10 (January 10, 2022)

1999 AUDI A8. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING A RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WAS FLOODED DUE TO A RAINSTORM. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALERSHIP DENIED ANY RESPONSIBLITY, OTHER THAN THE INSURRANCE DEDUCTIBLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT TAKE ANY PREVENTIVE EFFORTS TO SAVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446879 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11495139 · 2022-11-28 (November 28, 2022)

After water damage to the bottom level of the seat an electrical fire started. It burned through and melted the plastic facing on the right side of the seat near the seat adjustment mechanism releasing toxic fumes we have so far been unable to abate. The manufacturer has been unresponsive in addressing this hazard. The damage is available for inspection. The toxic fumes are a health hazard as was the fire. The dealer inspected the damage and refused to repair it. The Bureau of Auto Repairs in California also inspected the damage. There we…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495139 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 565306 · 2002-07-10 (July 10, 2002)

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE NEW TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE CLEARLY FLAWED, THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION ALSO CAUSED THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. *SLC. CONSUMER STATES A FRONT AND REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565306 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

00V414000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting

Reported: 2000-12-06 (December 6, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
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 ↗
20V056000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-31 (January 31, 2020)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V248000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting

Reported: 1999-09-13 (September 13, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗