Audi · A8 · 2001
2
Recalls
17
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2001 Audi A8 has 2 recalls and 17 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: tires (3 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2001 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 4250
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Aug 31, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
The 2001 Audi A8 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is tires with 3 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2001 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 4250
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL AND VAPOR LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM. A "BLIND COVER" AT THE FILLER NECK OF THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY ALLOWING FUEL VAPOR TO ESCAPE.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER NECK/EXPANSION TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.
A8L [QUATTRO, ALL WHEEL DRIVE] IN EARLY DECEMBER OF 2018, I ORDERED 4 TIRES FROM WALMART ONLINE FOR MY 2001 AUDI . THEY WERE 245/45/18 SUPERMAX 100V TM-1. THE TIRE SIZE WAS EXACTLY AS RECOMMENDED ON THE B-PILLAR AND EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE AS THE TIRES THAT WERE ON THE CAR WHEN TH...
Preview excerpt
TL* 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 MEC...
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THE PRESSURE PLATE IN MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY AS I WAS ENTERING A FREEWAY. THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL WERE DAMAGED, CAUSING THE CAR TO FAIL TO RESPOND NORMALLY TO THE ACCELERATOR. *NM
I HAVE AN 2001 AUDI A8L AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO ME GUARANTEEING A MAINTENANCE FREE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR WITHOUT A COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM. I HAD MY CAR CHECKED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DE...
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FAIL OF THE CENTER CLUSTER RESULTING IN DEAD PIXELS. CONSISTENT PROBLEM ON THE AUDI'S. SHOULD BE MADE A RECALL. 01 AUDI A8. *TR
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN INCONSISTENCY WITH ACCELERATION WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE IT FEELS LIKE HE IS STARTING OFF IN THIRD GEAR. *TC
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WE HAVE AN AUDI ALROAD VIN [XXX] WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 40,00 MILES ON IT. IT HAS NEEDED NEW BRAKE ROTORS AT APROX.25-29000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 39000 MILES, BECAUSE OF BRAKE VIBRATIONS DURING ROUTINE STOPS AT THOSE TIMES. IT NOT DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY...
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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.*JB
OIL LIGHT COMES ON. OIL VOLUME IS FULL. 3 DEALER REQUEST HAVE NOT SOLVED PROBLEM. ENGINE NOW MAKES NOISES.*AK
Showing 10 recent complaints from 17 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2001 Audi models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2001 Audi A8 has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 17 owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Audi A8.
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2001 Audi A8. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2001 Audi A8 are tires (3 reports), engine and engine cooling (2 reports), power train (2 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2001 Audi A8. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.