1998 Audi A8: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 4 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tire jack supplied by audi usa for the audi a8 is very dangerous. It is manufactured out of cheap aluminum and is not rugged enough to lift the car even on flat pavement. The jack bent under the weight of the car and has the potential to hurt someone. *jb”Owner report · Equipment · Nov 2006
“Single occupant in vehicle (driver) vehicle was forced off the road and entered a ditch about three-four feet deep. Passenger's air bag, front, fired. The audi a8 clearly states in the sales literature that the passenger's airbag is interlocked out when no passenger in the vehicle. The driver was the only occupant and there were no parcels, shopping bags, and etc. On the passenger's seat. Audi & the dealership have been highly unpleasant to deal with concerning this "perfectly normal operation of the passenger's airbag."”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were mistakenly omitted from recall 20V-056. All vehicle owners have already been notified by mail and informed that the remedy is available.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact A8 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Audi A8 reliable?
NHTSA has 4 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Audi A8. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 1998 Audi A8 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.