1998 Audi A8
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Audi A8 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 113 on record.
1998 Audi A8 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1998 Audi A8 recalls 3
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.
Fix: 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 rec…
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.
Fix: 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. 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1998 Audi A8 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1998 Audi A8 safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1998 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1998 Audi A8 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1998 Audi A8 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Audi A8 — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATS Closed
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON FOUR ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL OVERHEATS. VW HAS SHOWN THAT MOISTURE AND PRESPIRATION PERMEATE THE STEERING WHEEL COVER CAUSING THE HEATING ELEMENT TO CORRODE. THIS CORROSION MAY CAUSE A SMALL, LOCALIZED AREA OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO EXPERIENCE A BRIEF DURATION OF OVERHEATING. THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF THE STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING COMBUSTION. THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCU…
NHTSA #PE03019 · Steering · opened May 2003 · closed Sep 2003An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 61
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 61.
This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
Bulletin AWC 19-05 · Electrical System, Equipment · Aug 2019This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19. 2005-2019 A3, 1996-2019 A4, 2008-2019 A5, 1992-2019 A6, 2012-2019 A7, 1997-2019 A8, 2019 E-Tron, 2015-2019 Q3, 2010-2019 Q5, 2007-2019 Q7, 2019 Q8, 2000-2019 T…
Bulletin AWC 19-04 · Equipment · Jul 2019This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, and/or third brake light lens.
Bulletin A941791 2012749- · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2017This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
Bulletin SM 44-2017 EN · Equipment · Jun 2017This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.
Bulletin A171782 2010043- · Engine · May 2017Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified two US based supplie…
Bulletin ATE-17-05 · Equipment · Mar 2017This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.
Bulletin A441662 2010334- · Wheels · Oct 2016Vehicle will not communicate with diagnostic scan tool or emissions test equipment. Customers may have issues with vehicle passing state IM emissions test programs because the scan tool cannot communicate with the vehicle. ABS and/or brake lamp(s) will be illu…
Bulletin A451510 2042048- · Power Train · Oct 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 15-61 dated July 7, 2015. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been i…
Bulletin A191562 2025303- · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 14-50 dated June 20, 2014. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been…
Bulletin A1915612025303-5 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2015Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the A8. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Audi A8. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: In a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the driver-front airbag may not inflate properly. This could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. There may be a significant delay before replace…
Transport Canada #2020032 · Jan 2020Other
On certain vehicles equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, a 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 key is not in the ignition. This could allow the vehicle to roll and strike a person , object or vehicle without warning, causing personal injury. Correction: Dea…
Transport Canada #2008274 · Aug 2008Steering
On certain vehicles, the steering assembly tie rod seals do not seal properly. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing may wear over time to a point where the steering begins to feel "loose" and could diminish the steering control of the vehicle with the potential for a vehicle crash. Correction: Tie rods will be replaced on affe…
Transport Canada #1999195 · Oct 1999Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Audi A8
The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, and currently in its fourth generation, the A8 has been offered with either front- or permanent all-wheel drive and in short- and long-wheelbase variants. The first two generations employed the Volkswagen Group D platform, with the current generation deriving from the MLB platform. After the original model's 1994 release, Audi released the second generation in late 2002, the third in late 2009, and the fourth and current iteration in 2017. Noted as the first mass-market car with an aluminium chassis, all A8 models have used this construction method co-developed w…
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1998 Audi A8 trims & engines on record
1998 Audi A8 vehicles on record
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN012502
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN011088
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN007579
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN015491
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN015834
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN000498
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN007466
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN002185
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN007267
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN002909
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN009474
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN011165
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN006408
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN013566
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN014202
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN017037
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN002815
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN002413
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN016229
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN009631
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN008665
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZTN009240
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN011028
1998 Audi A8WAUZZZ4DZWN000694