Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Audi A8
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Audi A8 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 10 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #08V397000 TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V175000 VW/AIR BAG GROUND CONTACT WIRE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 3 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
- Air Bags 1 complaint
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Equipment 1 complaint
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Of the 10 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $9,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Audi A8 has notable issues, especially with the power train and air bags. The recalls highlight potentially dangerous defects, and a range of owner complaints supports concerns about reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| automatic transmission | 50,000–80,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| airbags | 50,000–100,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | occasional |
| vehicle speed control | 70,000–100,000 miles | $400–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Replace brake fluid
- Replace brake pads
- Replace transmission fluid
- Change coolant
- Inspect suspension components
- Tire rotation and balancing
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission slippage
- Airbag warning light
- Unusual engine revs
- Brake pedal soft
- Shifter issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Audi A8 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.