The 1999 Audi A8 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 255,657 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0560002020-01-31106,857 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 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…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.
POWER TRAIN08V3970002008-08-1413,900 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
STEERING00V4140002000-12-0683,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
STEERING99V2480001999-09-1351,900 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
1fires
AIR BAGS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
POWER TRAIN
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
SEATS
1
1fires
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1
SUSPENSION
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1999 audi a8. Consumer writes in regards to faulty airbag safety recall. The consumer stated while at the dealership awaiting a recall repair, the vehicle was flooded due to a rainstorm. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The dealership denied any responsiblity, other than the insurrance…”
“After water damage to the bottom level of the seat an electrical fire started. It burned through and melted the plastic facing on the right side of the seat near the seat adjustment mechanism releasing toxic fumes we have so far been unable to abate. The manufacturer has been unresponsive in…”
“After water damage to the bottom level of the seat an electrical fire started. It burned through and melted the plastic facing on the right side of the seat near the seat adjustment mechanism releasing toxic fumes we have so far been unable to abate. The manufacturer has been unresponsive in…”
“After inspecting my michelin primacy mxv4 tires on my audi a8 I became alarmed about excesive sidewall cracking and searched for recalls...none? Began reading complaints and noticed many other sidewall "dryrot" issues. Will take back to retailer to seek help!? Hope to prevent a blowout!”
“Mine is a well-maintained, near-pristine, low-mileage car. Without warning or prior indication of a problem, the transmission suddenly ceased to operate correctly while traveling on a busy, four-lane urban highway. It resulted in the car having limited forward motion, poor control, and vastly…”
“Mine is a well-maintained, near-pristine, low-mileage car. Without warning or prior indication of a problem, the transmission suddenly ceased to operate correctly while traveling on a busy, four-lane urban highway. It resulted in the car having limited forward motion, poor control, and vastly…”
“Vehicle's rear passenger doors open automatically whenever power windows are rolled down. Doors will not shut unless owner pulls over and shuts door from the outside. *nm”
“Vehicle's rear passenger doors open automatically whenever power windows are rolled down. Doors will not shut unless owner pulls over and shuts door from the outside. *nm”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Audi A8 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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