2002 Audi A8 recalls and problems

The 2002 Audi A8 has 1 recall and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

How the 2002 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Lowest complaint count among 21 A8 model years — 20th most.

1recalls
1complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
—median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Power Train

Aug 14, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V397000 · 13,900 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This could allow the vehicle to roll, causing a crash without warning.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy & notes

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.

Volkswagen/Audi recall no.37D5/J2. Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2002 vs. other Audi A8 years

2000: 3 complaints20002001: 6 complaints2002: 1 complaints20022003: 3 complaints2004: 20 complaints20042005: 6 complaints2006: 6 complaints20062007: 4 complaints2008: 8 complaints20082009: 5 complaints2010: 1 complaints20102011: 15 complaints2012: 11 complaints20122013: 50 complaints502014: 18 complaints20142015: 32 complaints2016: 11 complaints20162017: 8 complaints2019: 15 complaints20192020: 3 complaints2021: 5 complaints20215

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Audi A8 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2002 Audi A8, the latest from Aug 14, 2008 (power train). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi A8?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.