2008 Audi A8 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 25%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,799miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Audi A8, 25% of the 8 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,799 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2008 Audi A8 with about 48200 miles. It is great vehicle but having problems with transmission during driving. Under load it will go in fail safe mode around 4,5,6 gears. It is causing dangerous situations as car starts stopping suddenly and causing driver momentarily loose control of a vehicle. This iissue was brought up to a Audi but they said it is past warranty. By doing an independent research, it was found that there is one single teflon seal controlling fluid pressure for a clutch e.that seal wears out prematurely causing fluid to loose pressure and failing safe transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #11057729, filed 2017-12, 47,799 miles“Automatic transmission going into fail safe mode during driving around 4,5,6 gears when going around 70+ MPH and release gas pedal and applying gas again in order to pass vehicle. Car goes into fail safe mode, needs to be pulled over to restart and reset transmission. Car was taken to a Audi dealer for an inspection and by technician at fluid level was low. Top up trans fluid . Was driving ok for two weeks , problem started again. Took car back to a dealer, technician called an Audi support center. By Audi support center was recommended to replace atf filter with optimized atf filter. …”
NHTSA complaint #10934464, filed 2016-12Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 40% |
| 2019 | 1 | 7% |
| 2017 | 1 | 13% |
| 2016 | 1 | 9% |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2013 | 3 | 6% |
| 2011 | 1 | 7% |
| 2008 | 2 | 25% |
| 2001 | 2 | 33% |
| 1999 | 2 | 22% |
| 1997 | 4 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2008 Audi A8
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Audi A8
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology