1997 Audi A8
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1997 Audi A8. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1997 Audi A8. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
10 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
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
- Air bags
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…
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 deactivated (i.e. Frontal air bags would not deploy in the case of a frontal crash.) since the air bag IS a vital safety system, I'D strongly suggest to you to investigate this failure. *nm
- Vehicle speed control
While driving the consumer's 1997 audi A8 quattro accelerated suddenly. *nm *nm
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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…
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 issue. research on the internet reviled that this failure has been well documented on other audi models. The nhtsa has previously issued recalls on the 1997 A6 (00v317000) and 1996 A4 (96v017000) models due to failure of the ignition switch. I contacted audi USA customer service (reps. Name- megan) and entered a complaint - case#30325223 the dealership was contacted by audi USA the ignition switch was replaced by the audi dealer at a cost of $535.00 fully charged to me. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission was defective causing loud humming noise from engine while driving. nlm
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Brakes would not stop vehicle at a red light. Consumer has to keep pushing brakes. took to dealer 4 times, and everytime dealer said rotors were damaged. consumer stated that transmission went out at 10000 miles. *Ak the vehicle maker acknowledged that the A8 rotors wear quickly. *yh
- Power train
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…
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
- Vehicle speed control
While applying the brakes to park this vehicle it suddenly accelerated. vehicle came to a stop after being wedged in between two parked vehicles. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10251027Tightening wheel bolts
- 10250950Tightening wheel bolts
- 10249085Google Maps Street View (NVLW))
- 10249054Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota.
- 10243787Audi Elsa Newsletter
- 10242632Seat Belt
- 10231130Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants
- 10216682Engine oils that meet Audi Oil Quality Standards.
- 10216662Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
- 10216656Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
- 10164518This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
- 10163501This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19. 2005-2019 A3, 1996-2019 A4, 2008-2019 A5, 1992-2019 A6, 2012-2019 A7, 1997-2019 A8, 2019 E-Tron, 2015-2019 Q3, 2010-2019 Q5, 2007-2019 Q7, 2019 Q8, 2000-2019 TT, 2008-2018 R8
- 10155644This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10128399Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 14-50 dated June 20, 2014. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service.
- 10128350This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.
- 10128222Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified two US based suppliers to support dealers in USA and Canada.
- 10128009This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.
- 10127856This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, and/or third brake light lens.
- 10124898This is an advance notice for Audi of America employees. This notice contains information for the accessories operations technical bulletin.
- 10124751Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 44 number 13-46 dated December 9, 2013. Wheel bolt requires torque adjustment.
- 10124690This document contains information on the Audi side assist update.
- 10123901Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 00 number 11-19 dated April 8, 2011. This TSB contains information on technician preparation when calling the Audi Technical Assistance Center
- 10123882Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 11-19 dated February 10, 2011. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service.
- 10123764Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 15-61 dated July 7, 2015. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service.
- 10123713Vehicle will not communicate with diagnostic scan tool or emissions test equipment. Customers may have issues with vehicle passing state IM emissions test programs because the scan tool cannot communicate with the vehicle. ABS and/or brake lamp(s) will be illuminated in IP cluster. Broken ground bond wire within the ABS module (ABS 5.3 system) causes diagnostic communication issues with the ABS module, ECM, and TCM. Brake system and ABS system functionality are not affected by the broken ground circuit. This bulletin only addresses the communication issue (broken ground circuit) between the vehicle and the diagnostic scan tool described above. This bulletin does not address any subsequent vehicle diagnostic system issues that may exist. OBD system works normally; emission or diagnostic critical malfunctions will be indicated by MIL illumination. ABS system is not functionally affected by the broken ground circuit.
- 10123587Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 13-35 dated March 25, 2013. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service.
- 10122766Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 11-52 dated October 11, 2011. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, or third brake light lens. Damp air settles on the inside of a cold lens, which creates condensation. The headlight circulation system allows air from the outside to flow through the headlights. This open waterprotected ventilation system (needed for pressure compensation) creates different climate zones in the headlight: very warm areas, where the lens is warmed up by the light, and relatively cool areas, where the lens is cooled own by the air flow. Considerable differences in humidity and temperature between the inside and the outside of the headlights, even while driving, can lead to condensation. This is especially true in cold and wet weather, but it can also happen after a car wash, after steam cleaning the engine or the front end, with overnight temperature changes, etc. This phenomenon is more visible on lenses made of clear glass than on lenses with patterns. The moisture does not affect the headlight function (light performance) and does not lead to corrosion or other damage to headlight parts.
- 10122524Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 00 number 14-61 dated May 1, 2014. Technician preparation when calling the Audi Technical Assistance Center (TAC).
- 10122415Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 13-41 dated June 20, 2013. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service.
- 10121408Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 44 number 12-32 dated August 2, 2012. Wheel bolt requires torque adjustment. Torque sticks, torque extension bars, and impact guns/wrenches are not approved by Audi of America, Inc., and should not be used to apply torque to wheel bolts. Always use a calibrated torque wrench to attain the correct wheel bolt torque and follow the proper wheel tightening procedure as outlined in Elsa. Proper use of a calibrated torque wrench ensures that all wheel bolts are tightened equally and reduces the chances of repeat repairs. Using methods other than a calibrated torque wrench to attain correct wheel bolt torque may lead to problems.
- 10121365Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 90 number 10-14 dated August 10, 2010. Cigarette lighter element will not lock into the lighter socket -U1- to begin the heating process, or the lighter element will not automatically release once the heating process has completed. As a result, the socket can become inoperative when used as a power outlet.
- 10120682Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 01 number 13-69 dated February 14, 2013. Noises and inconsistent engine operation after cold start during the catalyst heating phase. The customer may misinterpret these symptoms as engine misfiring. This bulletin applies only to non-diesel engines.
- 10120003Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 12-92 dated October 24, 2012. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, or third brake light lens.
- 10119946Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 17 number 13-35 dated January 9, 2013. This bulletin lists engine oils that meet Audi oil quality standards (VW 501 01, 502 00, 505 00, 505 01, and 504 00/507 00).
- 10058584Audi: engine, on some vehicles, would run irregularly or have malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on or possible filter element for camshaft adjustment valve can loosen and in oil circuit, there IS no damage from loosened particles. Model all. All years.
- 10054859Audi: on certain vehicles, use calibrated torque wrench and not torque sticks, torque extension bars and impact guns/wrenches not approved for usage on wheel bolts by manufacturer, that can cause damage to brake, steering wheel, hub. Model 1995-2014 all.
- 10032250Audio: exterior lights, moisture accumulation. Condensation IS visible on the inside of headlights, taillights, fog lights, side marker lights, front turn signal or third brake light lens. Damp air settles on the inside of a cold lens, which creates condensation.
- 10027923Audi: wheel bolts require torque adjustment. Torque sticks and torque extension bars are not approved by audi of america, inc. And should not be used to apply torque to wheel bolts. All audi models included.
- 10025703Exterior lights, mositure accumulation.
- 10023948Exterior lights, moisture accumulation.
Every Audi A8 model year
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