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1998 Audi A8 problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Audi A8 is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical A8 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
55
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1998 Audi A8 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    2
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    2
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported July 1, 2022 · 28,624 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Risk
The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were mistakenly omitted from recall 20V‑056. All vehicle owners have already been notified by mail and informed that the remedy is available.

Recall number 22V471000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported August 14, 2008 · 13,900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 08V397000 · Recall details

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connectingReported September 13, 1999 · 51,900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.
Risk
If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the tie rods.

Recall number 99V248000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1998 Audi A8

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Audi A8 55

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 55 bulletins for the 1998 Audi A8

1998 Audi A8 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.7L 8‑cylFWD152418
4.2L 8‑cyl4WD152318

What 1998 Audi A8 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 9, 2006 · 105,000 miles · VA

Tire jack supplied by audi USA for the audi a8 is very dangerous. It is manufactured out of cheap aluminum and is not rugged enough to lift the car even on flat pavement. The jack bent under the weight of the car and has the potential to hurt someone.

Filed Jan 28, 2003 · Airbags · 59,000 miles · FL

Airbag warning light indicates airbag failure. Audi dealer cannot rectify.

Filed Sep 22, 2000 · Airbags · MD · crash · 1 injury

Single occupant in vehicle (driver) vehicle was forced off the road and entered a ditch about three-four feet deep. Passenger's air bag, front, fired. The audi a8 clearly states in the sales literature that the passenger's airbag is interlocked out when no passenger in the vehicle. The driver was the only occupant and there were no parcels, shopping bags, and etc. On the passenger's seat. Audi & the dealership have been highly unpleasant to deal with concerning this "perfectly normal operation of the passenger's airbag."

Filed Jul 28, 1999 · Visibility · MD

Blind spots, rear visibility: audi's refusal to replace outside mirrors. The passenger's outside mirror an drivers poorly designed and have tremendous blind spots. Driving a $70k with mirror assemblies that do not provide safe rear vision monitoring is outrageous and dangerous. Poor rear vision results from excessively wide c pillars, rear seat head rests that do not have storage recesses or other provisions for preventing them from obscuring large areas of the rear window. The dealer has and audi have been less than helpful even when I pointed out that a 19991/2 a4 ($30,000) right ouside mirror has almost twice the visual field as my a8. Audi's response to me has been terrible, and their suggested actions include my having to purchase and have installed approximately $1000 for right and left outside mirror. The latest a4's rear head rests recess into the top of the rear seats and provide almost no obscuration or rear vision. I requested assistance from audi at purchase time re: rear head rest pointing out my great dane was the only rear seat passenger, and my willingness to sign a release if the head rests were removed and able to be reinstalled easily. Audi has totally ignored my request for safety critical replacements for mirrors, and audi has apparently terrorized the dealership because criswell audi is now refusing to even consider any aftermarket part installation on my audi a8 incuding a back up radar transciever that only needs a two wire hook up and senses objects within 12' of the rear bumper when backing up. Finally each area of concern about that I have about my car, limits my car's utility esp rear vision concerns, and are severe enough safety concerns I have fewer than 6000 miles in 18 months of ownership. The 99.5 adn year 2000 audi's have address each of my areas of concern in their new vehicles mirror size, field of view, and rear head rests, however, I am still being stone walled re: safety issues that have plagued this car since I purchased it. *

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Questions about the 1998 Audi A8

Is the 1998 Audi A8 reliable?

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1998 Audi A8, fewer than a typical A8 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Audi A8?

Airbags, with 2 complaints. Next is visibility (1).

How many recalls does the 1998 Audi A8 have?

3 recalls, covering air bags, power train and steering.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Audi A8 get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Audi A8 range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 24 highway.

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