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Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
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 (1)
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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
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.
Owner complaints (3)
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Audi A8. Among 25 model years of this model, it ranks #20 for the most complaints (median 6).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Exterior lighting | 1 | |
| Power train | 1 | |
| Suspension | 1 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Audi A8.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Audi A8 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| A8 4.2 L Automatic (S5) | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| A8 L 4.2 L Automatic (S5) | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →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.