Severity
Critical
CriticalActive
NHTSA recall · Reported August 14, 2008
AUDI 2000-2003: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 LOCKI…
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with NHTSA →
Audi recalled VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 13,900 MY 1996-2003 AUDI A8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTO… - a critical-severity action.
AUDI 2000-2003: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION was recalled by Audi in August 14, 2008. Reason: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 13,900 MY 1996-2003 AUDI A8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. …. Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE BY INSTALLING AN ADJUSTING P…. Verify recall #08V397000 with the NHTSA before acting.
The recall
Audi issued this critical-severity NHTSA recall-VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 13,900 MY 1996-2003 AUDI A8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ….
- Critical
- severity level
- August 14, 2008
- reported
Sourced from official NHTSA enforcement records. Verify recall #08V397000 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This NHTSA action (record #08V397000) was formally reported on August 14, 2008. It is classified under Critical severity, with a current status of Active. Audi is listed as the recalling firm. The number of affected units is not disclosed in the agency filing, which is common for drug and food recalls where lot-level tracking supersedes unit counts.
The documented reason for this recall is: 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 CA… The specific hazard cited in the filing is: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: United States. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory. The remedy documented by the agency is: 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 CONTAC… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Vehicles recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 7,642 vehicles recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified high severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
Unknown
Related Recalls
6
0 from same agency
Product description
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.
Reason for recall
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.
Hazard
THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy, what to do
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 Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Severity class | Critical |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 08V397000 |
| Date reported | August 14, 2008 |
| Date initiated | August 14, 2008 |
| Recalling firm | Audi |
| Affected scope | Not disclosed |
| Distribution | United States |
| Official source | NHTSA notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official NHTSA enforcement record. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What to do with this recall
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE BY INSTALLING AN ADJUSTING PIECE THAT WILL SECURE THE LOCKING CABLE …
- Check the recall number (08V397000) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official NHTSA notice before acting. NHTSA notice
- This is a Class I (high-risk) recall, stop using the product immediately and follow the disposal or return instructions. What to do next
This page summarizes the official NHTSA record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
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.. Recalled by Audi.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
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.
What should consumers do? ▼
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.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the NHTSA on August 14, 2008. Severity: Critical. Recall number: 08V397000.
Where was the recalled product distributed? ▼
Distribution: United States.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (08V397000) against your product. Visit the official NHTSA website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
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Compare this recall with Yamazuki Recalls Youth All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Due to R… →
Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: NHTSA, reported August 14, 2008. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.