Model year record

1999 Audi A8

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 13 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V056000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
106,857
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-31
Owners notified
2021-09-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V397000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
13,900
Reported to NHTSA
2008-08-14
Owners notified
2008-09-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V414000

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting

Component
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
83,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-06
Owners notified
2001-02-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V248000

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting

Component
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
51,900
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-13
Owners notified
1999-10-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system2
Air bags1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Fuel/propulsion system150,546 mi
Power train150,546 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1
Seats1
Structure: body: bumpers151,275 mi
Structure: body: door1
Suspension1
Suspension: rear171,534 mi
Tires1206,228 mi

The 1998 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.