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Audi A8Model year report

1999 Audi A8 Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
61,404miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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 1999 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1999 Audi A8. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and suspension (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,404 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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

Electrical system: “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 addressing this hazard. The damage is available for inspection. The toxic fumes are a health hazard as was the fire. The dealer inspected the damage and refused to repair it. The Bureau of Auto Repairs in California also inspected the damage. There were no warning lights activated.”

NHTSA complaint #11495139, filed 2022-11

Body and structure: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10101607, filed 2004-11

Suspension: “1999 Audi A8 continues to erode the inside circumference of the rear tires, approx 1/32nd per 20 days, have placed 4 tires on it and the dealer has played with the alignment to attempt to correct. This has not correct the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10058323, filed 2004-02, 71,534 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 diminished power, making it extremely difficult to maneuver in traffic. I narrowly avoided a collision with other cars. …”

NHTSA complaint #10498549, filed 2013-02, 50,546 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,275 and 71,534 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5075%50–750%75–1000%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 61,404 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200220032200422013201520222
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Audi A8. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
A8 · sedan not rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1999 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 quattro 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 1999 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. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 52 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 1999 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1999 Audi A8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Audi A8 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.

Has the 1999 Audi A8 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 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 1999 Audi A8 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,404 miles and the middle half falls between 51,275 and 71,534 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.