Safety ratings
2003 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlStandard
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (1)
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONCampaign 08V397000 · 14/08/2008
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.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- POWER TRAIN2
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
- STEERING1
- TIRES1
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
- SUSPENSION1
Read individual complaints (8 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/21/2007· POWER TRAIN
A HARD TURN AND QUICK ACCELERATION TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT LEAD TO POWER FAILURE TO THE WHEELS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CODE READ "SLIPPING TORQUE CONVERTER" THE CAR HAD ONLY 79,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. AUDI REPAIR FACILITY TOLD ME THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THE COST WOULD BE $900.00 FOR THE PART AND $2,000.00 FOR LABOR. THE REPAIRS HAVE YET TO BE MADE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE PRICE FOR A FAULTY PART AND LABOR. THE PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
- 10/16/2008· POWER TRAIN
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
- 10/12/2003· STEERING
MY 2003 AUDI ALL ROAD HAS A CONTINUAL PULL TO THE RIGHT. IT WILL NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT FOR MORE THAN 5-8 SECONDS AT A TIME, ON MOST ROAD SURFACES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS FOUR TIMES IN 3400 MILES. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND HAD TO BE ADJUSTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTS THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS, BUT IT STILL HAS A PULL TO THE RIGHT. *LA
- 10/02/2003· TIRES
THE SIDEWALL RUPTURED ON A GOODYEAR WRANGLER F1, 225/55R17 TIRE. *JB
- 08/07/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN EXPLOSION AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WERE LOUD NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE ON THE GROUND. THE CAR THEN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CLAIMED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN SOME TYPE OF IMPACT WHICH CAUSED THE EXPLOSION TO OCCUR, AND AUDI WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES. THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIND THE PROPER REASON FOR EXPLOSION. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A RENTAL CAR AT HER OWN EXPENSE TO HAVE A VEHICLE. *MR *CB *JB
- 06/17/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE BLINDING BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS ON SOME NEW CARS ARE DANGEROUS. I FLASH MY BRIGHTS AT THEM THINKING THAT IS THE PROBLEM. IF CAR MANUFACTURERS CONTINUE TO PUT THEM ON NEW CARS, WILL THEY BE LIABLE FOR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE BLINDING LIGHT? *JB
- 06/16/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 BLUE/PURPLE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. THEY ARE A DEFINITE HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES. *NLM
- 01/23/2012· SUSPENSION
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