2000 Audi A8 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 A8.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08V397000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-822-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI RECALL NO. 37D5/J2. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 A8.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V259000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-892-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2000 Audi A8 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (3), Unknown Or Other (2), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1), Seats (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/21/2011 · Fuel system
I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED UNDER RECALL 01V259000 FOR YEAR 2000 AUDI A8S, BUT I'M TOLD MY CAR IS "OUTSIDE THE BUILD DATE" COVERED. I HAVE A LARGE FUEL VAPOR LEAK AT THE FUEL FILLER NECK / EXPANSION TANK, WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE RECALL, BUT I CALLED AUDI AND THEY ARE DENYING COVERAGE OF MY CAR. I CANNOT SMOG THE CAR WITHOUT THIS BEING FIXED,…
11/14/2008 · Seats · fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI A8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. HE TURNED OFF THE HEAT SWITCH AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THROUGH THE INTERNET, HE DISCOVERED MORE ISSUES REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111,000.
11/08/2007 · Electrical system
1. PURCHASED A 2000 AUDI A6 2.7T. 2. THE AUTO CHECK SYSTEM IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK ESPECIALLY WHEN WARM. THE LCD RIBBON CABLE LOOSES CONTACT AND DOESN'T DISPLAY THE INFORMATION IT SHOULD. CRITICAL SAFETY INFORMATION IS NO LONGER DISPLAYED. 3. WAS QUOTED OBSCENE AMOUNTS BY AUDI DEALERS TO REPLACE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. $250 FOR A US…
05/17/2004 · Wheels / tires
ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A BEADING PROBLEM BEING TO CLOSE TO THE RIMS WHICH DIDN'T ALLOW THE TIRE TO WHOLE AIR. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *SC *JB
08/17/2000 · Wheels / tires
I'VE HAD ONE TIRE BUBBLE AND TWO TIRE BLOWOUTS WITH THESE TIRES! BOTH EVENTS OCCURED DURING NORMAL CITY DRIVING.( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: 225/45RZ17 )
08/11/2000 · Unknown Or Other
ALTHOUGH THIS DEALER HAS HAD NO COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE IN 2 YEARS OF PRODUCTION, READING AUDIWORLD.COM AND SEARCHING FOR DV BRINGS UP HUNDREDS OF DISCUSSIONS
02/23/2000 · Suspension
I AM REPORTING A SAFETY PROBLEM, NOT AN ACCIDENT OR A PARTS FAILURE. THE CAR CAME EQUIPPED WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES. THEY ARE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA STEEL BELTED RADIALS NO 225/45 R17. ON ANY SNOW THE CAR BECOMES UNSTABLE. IT WILL NOT CLIMB EVEN THE SLIGHTEST GRADE. STOPPING IS PROBLEMATICAL; IT SLIDES EVERY WHICH WAY. I CALLED AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA A…
01/28/2000 · Unknown Or Other
AUDI IS ADDING ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO THE ITEMS PROVIDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL COMMENCING WEEK 18 FOR TT MODELS BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS SAME IN VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO THAT TIME IN SAME MODEL YEAR. CREATES AN UNFAIR SAFETY ADVANTAGE FOR THOSE VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THAT TIME AND MAY ALSO AFFECT INSURANCE RATES, RESALE VALUE, SAFETY I…