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.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
600
Reported to NHTSA
2001-08-15
Owners notified
2002-03-21
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL AND VAPOR LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM. A "BLIND COVER" AT THE FILLER NECK OF THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY ALLOWING FUEL VAPOR TO ESCAPE.
Safety risk
SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE WILL BE REDUCED, WHICH WILL ACTIVATE THE LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM AND ALERT THE DRIVER OF A SYSTEM'S FAULT INDICATED BY AN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER NECK/EXPANSION TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
—
Engine and engine cooling
1
8,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
1
86,000 mi
Power train
1
86,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
1
—
Vehicle speed control
1
—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
—
Wheels
1
172,000 mi
The 2000 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has 8 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.