The 5-speed automatic transmission placed inside the Audi A8 from 1996-2003 – totalling 13,900 cars in a NHTSA Recall – could fall out of the park position even without the key in the ignition. That’s not safe.
Audi will begin the recall early next month where dealers will, says NHTSA, “modify the automatic transmission locking cable by installing an adjusting piece that will secure the locking cable in place.” That sounds rather necessary.
A8s from this era were available in North America with a 4.2L V8 and Quattro all-wheel drive or a smaller V8 and front-wheel drive, a combo that likely didn’t motivate many stuffy upper-end luxury limo buyers to hit the Audi showroom. The current A8 is an all-wheel drive car only.
