Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Audi A8. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (3)
3 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The exterior lighting is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 33.3% |
| Power train | 1 | 33.3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 33.3% |
How 2003 compares with other A8 years
Best and worst A8 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 9 | 4 |
| 2000 | 3 | 2 |
| 2001 | 6 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 |
| 2004 | 20 | 1 |
| 2005 | 6 | 1 |
| 2006 | 6 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 | 2 |
| 2008 | 8 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 4.2 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 A8 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Audi A8 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Audi A8 have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 08V397000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Audi A8 problems?
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Exterior lighting (1), Power train (1), Suspension (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Audi A8 get?
EPA rates the 4.2 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 A8 compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2008 Audi A8 model years at least five years old, the 2002 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2004 the most (20). The 2003 drew 3. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.