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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Audi A8 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Audi A8 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Audi A8, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 Audi A8 owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Audi A8, describing incidents dated June 14, 2003 to January 23, 2012.

Most-cited components

  • Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
  • Power Train 1 complaint
  • Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10444891 · Filed

    REAR DRIVERS COIL SPRING FAILED, BROKE IN HALF CAUSING SUSPENSION TO FAIL AND DAMAGE RIM/TIRE. SERIOUS CONDITION IF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NO WARNING OF THE FAILURE PRIOR. *TR

  • ODI #10245714 · Filed

    THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH: CV JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS AND NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE. *TR

  • ODI #10023131 · Filed

    PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF DRIVERS THAT ARE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THE NEW BLUE/PURPLE HEADLIGHTS MANY OF THE NEW LUXURY CARS ARE FEATURING. THE LIGHT IS PIERCING AND A DANGER TO NIGHT TIME TRAFFIC. THESE NEW LIGHTS ARE EVEN DISTRACTING DURING DAYLIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT CARS EQUIPPED WITH THESE…

Read all 3 complaints

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.

Other Audi A8 model years

Check your 2003 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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