- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1998 Audi A8 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 1998 Audi A8 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (2) and the brakes (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in July 2022 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 1997 has 10 and the 1999 has 12.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical A8 year, for its age
#188 most complained-about 1998 vehicle
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1998 Audi A8 problems
Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1998 Audi A8 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could allow the vehicle to roll, causing a crash without warning.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
What owners say
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7 complaints about the 1998 Audi A8
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
Audi engines are notorious for sludge problems. Although audi recognizes this problem on their 4 cyl turbo engines, they do not acknowledge the problem on the 6 cly engine. My engine, with 71,000, has a severe engine sludge problem, which has cause all the seals to leak. Audi does not acknowledge the problem, and won't assist. *Jb
Failure of the abs controller with less than 70,000 miles. The problem was confirmed by a local audi dealership. Audi was contacted and refused to make repairs. This is a significant problem for late model audi's and vw's and nhtsa should investigate the frequency of failure and require a recall. The incident date is appoximate. *Jb
Airbag warning light indicates airbag failure. Audi dealer cannot rectify.
While filling the fuel tank, gasoline sprays out of the tank, under pressure, and gets all over the person filling the car, all over the car, and all over the ground. Once the spraying starts it does not stop until all pressure in the tank has vented. When this occurs is unpredctable. Audi is aware of the problem and has chosen to blame the consumer for not filling the fuel tank correctly. My wife and I have been sprayed with gas on three occasions. *Ak
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."
Blind spots, rear visibility: audi's refusal to replace outside mirrors. The passenger's outside mirror an drivers poorly designed and have tremendous blind spots. Driving a $70k with mirror assemblies that do not provide safe rear vision monitoring is outrageous and dangerous. Poor rear vision results from excessively wide c pillars, rear seat head rests that do not have storage recesses or other provisions for preventing them from obscuring large areas of the rear window. The dealer has and audi have been less...
Read the full complaint
than helpful even when I pointed out that a 19991/2 a4 ($30,000) right ouside mirror has almost twice the visual field as my a8. Audi's response to me has been terrible, and their suggested actions include my having to purchase and have installed approximately $1000 for right and left outside mirror. The latest a4's rear head rests recess into the top of the rear seats and provide almost no obscuration or rear vision. I requested assistance from audi at purchase time re: rear head rest pointing out my great dane was the only rear seat passenger, and my willingness to sign a release if the head rests were removed and able to be reinstalled easily. Audi has totally ignored my request for safety critical replacements for mirrors, and audi has apparently terrorized the dealership because criswell audi is now refusing to even consider any aftermarket part installation on my audi a8 incuding a back up radar transciever that only needs a two wire hook up and senses objects within 12' of the rear bumper when backing up. Finally each area of concern about that I have about my car, limits my car's utility esp rear vision concerns, and are severe enough safety concerns I have fewer than 6000 miles in 18 months of ownership. The 99.5 Adn year 2000 audi's have address each of my areas of concern in their new vehicles mirror size, field of view, and rear head rests, however, I am still being stone walled re: safety issues that have plagued this car since I purchased it. *
Audi A8: every year compared
All A8 years1998 Audi A8 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Audi A8 | 7 | 3 | D | |
| 1998 Audi A4 | 258 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Audi A6 | 130 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Audi Quattro | 9 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1998 Audi 100 | 3 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1998 Audi Cabriolet | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Audi Allroad | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Audi S6 | 1 | 1 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1998 Audi A8
Does the 1998 Audi A8 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1998 Audi A8: inflator module (July 2022); automatic transmission (August 2008); connecting (September 1999). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Audi A8?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (2), brakes (1), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 1998 Audi A8 had?
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 28, 1999 and the latest on November 9, 2006. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1998 Audi A8 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 39 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Audi A8 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi A8 years have the most complaints?
2013 (50), 2015 (32), 2014 (18). See every Audi A8 year compared.
What should I do if my 1998 Audi A8 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data