2002 Audi A8 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, 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 2002 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.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (3), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Engine (1), Transmission / drivetrain (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)
02/09/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT CLEAR OFF THE SNOW ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW, AND THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *AK *LA
09/12/2003 · Engine
OUT OF CONTROL EXPERIENCE DUE TO UNWANTED ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ENGINE REVVED PAST THE REDLINE, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND WE ALMOST DID NOT MAKE THE TURN INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. EVEN WHEN WE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL,THE ENGINE DID NOT STOP REVVING.…
12/30/2002 · Wheels / tires
I AM ADDING TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT [ODI 768857 - REF 704187] REPORTING 2 GOODYEAR SIDE WALL TIRE FAILURES. I HAVE NOW EXPERIENCED A 3RD SIDE WALL BUBBLE AND FAILURE. AGAIN THERE IS NO RIM DAMAGE AND PROPER TIRE PRESSURES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN OPERATED OFF ROAD. I'M CAUGHT BETWEEN AUDI WHICH TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRES ON THEI…
11/13/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
AUTO TRANSMISSION LAGS UP TO 1 SECOND IN RESPONDING WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS HAS CAUSED A FEW CLOSE CALLS WHEN TRING TO MAKE TURNS INTO TRAFFIC. TRANS ALSO LAGS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. ENGINE REVS BUT DRIVETRAIN DOES NOT CATCH. THEN CAR TAKES OFF WITH A JOLT. ALSO, EXPERIENCING A VIBRATION FROM CAR WHEN DRIVING EVEN AFTER CHE…
10/25/2002 · Vehicle Speed Control
THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING IS A LAG IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED THERE IS A MOMENT WHERE NOTHING HAPPENS THEN, A SECOND LATER THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY RAPIDLY. THIS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC WHERE YOUR FOOT GOES FROM THE BRAKE TO THE THROTTLE FREQUENTLY. MY WIFE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO T…
10/24/2002 · Wheels / tires
WE HAVE HAD 2 SEPARATE SIDE WALL FAILURES ON THE FRONT TIRES. THE FIRST WAS IN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND THE SECOND WAS ON A NEW TIRE IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON A NEW REPLACEMENT. NEITHER FAILURE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF RIM DAMAGE OR OTHER EXTERNAL EVENT. WE ARE CAUGHT BETWEEN AUDI AND GOODYEAR EACH OF WHICH WANT US TO CALL THE OTHER PARTY. THIS APPEARS TO…
05/20/2002 · Wheels / tires
TIRE AND CAR HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED TO MANUFACTURER SPECS, TIRES HAVE AUTOMATIC TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS. AT ABOUT 11000 MI I NOTICED SOME FEATHERING OF ALL 4 TIRES. I TOOK IT IN AT ABOUT 11700 AND DEALER AGREED ALL 4 TIRES WERE WEARING ABNORMALLY. THEIR FACTORY REP BLAMES GOODYEAR, DELAER STATED 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO DATE ABO…
05/15/2002 · Lights
ALL XENON HEADLAMPS SHOULD BE BANNED. THEY BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS !!!