Complaints about the 1999 Audi A8 peaked in 2003, with 2 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Sedan, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Jul 10, 2002 to Nov 28, 2022.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V-056 | Jan 31, 2020 | 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 | Airbags | 106,857 | Part replacement |
| 08V-397 | Aug 14, 2008 | Locking cable may move out of position over time | Powertrain | 13,900 | Repair or modification |
| 00V-414 | Dec 6, 2000 | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles | Steering | 83,000 | Part replacement |
| 99V-248 | Sep 13, 1999 | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles | Steering | 51,900 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
9 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
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 were no warning lights activated.
NHTSA complaint 114951391999 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.
NHTSA complaint 11446879AFTER 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!
NHTSA complaint 10747646MINE 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 3000 TO 5000 RPM'S WITH THE FORWARD SPEED NO MORE THAN 35 MPH. I PARKED THE CAR AND LEFT IT FOR A WEEK WHILE TRAVELING. WHEN I RETURNED IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED ON A FLAT-BED TRUCK TO AN AUDI DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN INOPERABLE, UNREPAIRABLE TRANSMISSION BROUGHT ABOUT WHEN "A BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING CAUSING A HOSE TO LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH RESULTED IN BURNT PARTS AND GEARS. THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS $6,800--ON A CAR WITH ONLY 50,546 MILES! AFTER REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO AUDI CORPORATE, I WAS INFORMED THAT AUDI COULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EVENT BECAUSE THERE WERE "NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS OR SERVICE ACTIONS" RELATIVE TO THIS MODEL. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS RESPONSE SINCE I HAVE BEEN A LONG-TIME AUDI OWNER/DRIVER OF THE A8 AND OTHER MODELS. MY INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION OF THE A8-D2 MODELS (1997-99) HAS BEEN A VERY WEAK COMPONENT PART ON THESE CARS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10498549VEHICLE'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
NHTSA complaint 101016071999 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
NHTSA complaint 10058323THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF TWICE WITHOUT HITTING ANY OBJECTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10052198THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPS. AUDI ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR TWICE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED STOPPING WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
NHTSA complaint 754110CONSUMER 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
NHTSA complaint 565306Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.