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Audi A8Model year report

1997 Audi A8 Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
69,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.7L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1997 Audi A8. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (2) and air bags (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 43 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving there was a terrible noise coming from vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer and dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. Consumer feels transmission has a defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10002547, filed 2003-01, 57,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “While applying the brakes to park this vehicle it suddenly accelerated. Vehicle came to a stop after being wedged in between two parked vehicles. Dealer has been contacted.”

NHTSA complaint #846336, filed 1999-09

Air bags: “My 1997 Audi A8 has air bag light display in the center of the instrument panel. On a recent visit to the Audi dealership, I was told by the service advisor that they have reset the fault code. Wherever, soon after that the warning light came up again and stay on now. I searched the web and found out there were many owners experienced the same issue on the 1997-2000 model year of the A8. I read the owner's manuel, and it says if the air bag warning is on, when collision occurs, the driver and passenger side frontal air bag will become deactivated (I.e. …”

NHTSA complaint #10176010, filed 2006-12, 135,700 miles

Brakes: “Brakes would not stop vehicle at a red light. Consumer has to keep pushing brakes. Took to dealer 4 times, and everytime dealer said rotors were damaged. Consumer stated that transmission went out at 10000 miles. The vehicle maker acknowledged that the A8 rotors wear quickly.”

NHTSA complaint #875245, filed 2000-11

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,700 and 95,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5060%50–7520%75–10020%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 69,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199920003200320052006
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Audi A8 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A8 FWD3.7L 8-cyl5-speed automatic152418$4,550
A8 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl5-speed automatic152318$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 Audi A8 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 43 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 43 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A8

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20215—10—21—Not enough data
20191424,5263—22—Not enough data
2017851,0003—22—Not enough data
20161143,5004—22—Not enough data
20153148,0005—22Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20141857,5345—21—Falling
20135062,5006—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20121179,6281—21—Not enough data
20111581,5001—21—Falling
200957,2121—18—Not enough data
2008855,1181—18—Not enough data
2006644,0002—18—Not enough data
2005612,0001—18—Not enough data
20042028,0001—18—Stable
2001686,0002—18—Not enough data
1999961,4044—18—Not enough data
19971069,0002—18—Not enough data

All Audi A8 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1997 Audi A8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Audi A8 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 2.

Has the 1997 Audi A8 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Audi A8 (A8, 3.7L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Audi A8 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,000 miles and the middle half falls between 63,700 and 95,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.