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Audi A8Model year report

2001 Audi A8 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
86,000miles, 3 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, 4.2L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2001 Audi A8. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (2) and electrical system (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 87 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 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: “The contact owns a 2001 Audi A8. Upon trying to shift into drive, the vehicle failed to move forward and there was no response upon pressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was able to be shifted into reverse, but not into drive. The contact stated that the independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the fuel filler neck needed to be replaced which was causing the failure. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 08v397000 (power train) and NHTSA campaign id number: 01v259000 (fuel system, gasoline). …”

NHTSA complaint #10735990, filed 2015-07, 86,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Consumer states the accelerator pedal got stuck while driving, increasing the speed to 100mph. The consumer was able to turn the ignition off to stop due to no brake response. Vehicle is a 2001 Audi A8 quattro dealer was contacted. Please provide more information.”

NHTSA complaint #8014692, filed 2002-07

Electrical system: “2001 Audi a8l gauge cluster problems**cc the consumer stated she had no way of knowing how much fuel was in the vehicle, the temperature or the vehicle speed, because of the faulty instrument cluster.”

NHTSA complaint #10178542, filed 2007-01

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,600 and 172,000 miles.

33%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7533%75–1000%100–15033%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 86,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200220042200720152019
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 2001 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 2001 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 L 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl5-speed automatic152318$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 2001 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. 87 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 87 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 2001 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2001 Audi A8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Audi A8 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 2.

Has the 2001 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 2001 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Audi A8 (A8 L, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 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 2001 Audi A8 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,000 miles and the middle half falls between 8,600 and 172,000 miles; 33% 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.