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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Power train: automatic transmission
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.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Other
2008-08-05 · campaign 2008-274 · 824 vehicles
On certain vehicles equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, a 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 key is not in the ignition. This could allow the vehicle to roll and strike a person , object or vehicle without warning, causing personal injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the locking cable system.
Fuel system
2001-07-31 · campaign 2002-101 · 75 vehicles
Certain 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. 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. Fuel vapors in the immediate vicinity of an ignition source could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel filler neck/expansion tank assembly.
Owner complaints (6)
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Audi A8 (1 crashes reported). Among 25 model years of this model, it ranks #13 for the most complaints (median 6).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | |
| Power train | 2 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | |
| Electrical system | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | |
| Wheels | 1 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Audi A8.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2001 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2001 Audi A8 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| A8 L 4.2 L Automatic (S5) | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| A8 quattro 4.2 L Automatic (S5) | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.