NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Audi A8 Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Audi A8 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Audi A8. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1996 Audi A8 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1996 Audi A8, describing incidents dated April 1, 1999.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #714891 · Filed November 17, 1999
THE FRONT ROTORS ON THE 1998 AUDI A8 WARP AFTER VERY SHORT USAGE. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE RESURFACED THE ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM QUICKLY RE-OCCURS. THIS CAUSES MILD TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION UNDER MODERATE BRAKING, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LIFT UP ON BRAKES. AUDI…

Read the full complaint

TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE

NHTSA #08V397000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported August 14, 2008 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 13,900 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 37D5/J2 · Owners notified September 12, 2008 · Vehicles built July 19, 1995 – August 14, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

VW/AIR BAG GROUND CONTACT WIRE

NHTSA #97V175000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 8, 1997 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 39,300 vehicles

Owners notified October 13, 1997 · Vehicles built July 1, 1994 – September 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 1997.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 1-800-822-2834.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Audi A8. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Audi A8.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #714891

Incident: April 1, 1999 · Filed: November 17, 1999

THE FRONT ROTORS ON THE 1998 AUDI A8 WARP AFTER VERY SHORT USAGE. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE RESURFACED THE ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM QUICKLY RE-OCCURS. THIS CAUSES MILD TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION UNDER MODERATE BRAKING, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LIFT UP ON BRAKES. AUDI DEALER, AND MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE COMPONENTS WITH ADEQUATE DISC SUCH THAT THERE IS NO REOCCURRENCE. CAN CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES AND STEERING ERRORS. *AK

Other Audi A8 model years

Check your 1996 Audi A8 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A8 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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