This manual is built specifically for the 1997 Audi A8 Quattro with its 4.2L V8 (engine code ABZ), so the torque values, wiring diagrams, and service intervals inside match what Audi actually published for this car rather than a generic full-size sedan reference.
Engines covered
- 4.2L V8 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
Trims covered
- Base
Known issues on the 1997 A8 Quattro. Two recalls are on federal record for this model year. The first covers the 5-speed automatic transmission: the shift-lock cable can migrate out of position over time, allowing the shifter to move out of Park even with the key removed and letting the vehicle roll away without warning. The second covers the driver-side frontal air bag: static electricity discharged in low-humidity conditions while entering or exiting the vehicle can complete a circuit through the steering wheel and activate the air bag, risking injury. Owners have filed 11 complaints for the year, and no technical service bulletins are logged. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind both systems are here.
Whether you're inspecting the shift-lock cable, tracing the air bag wiring, or working through a routine V8 service interval, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 1997 A8 Quattro.
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" PO
THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF
ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
Engine oils that meet Audi Oil Quality Standards.
This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
This 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,
This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
Supersedes 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
This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.
Showing the 8 most recent of 69 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES TO PARK THIS VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER BEING WEDGED IN BETWEEN TWO PARKED VEHICLES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
MY 1997 AUDI A8 IS EQUIPPED WITH A VEHICLE JACK THAT IS GROSSLY INADEQUATE FOR CHANGING A TIRE AND IS HAZARDOUS TO ANYONE USING IT-- IT IS PRONE TO COLLAPSE. MANY USERS OF THIS JACK HAVE EXPERIENCED
TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. NLM
REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB OUT. NLM
MY 1997 AUDI A8 HAS AIR BAG LIGHT DISPLAY IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON A RECENT VISIT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY HAVE RESET THE FAULT CODE. WHEREV
BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT. CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP PUSHING BRAKES. TOOK TO DEALER 4 TIMES, AND EVERYTIME DEALER SAID ROTORS WERE DAMAGED. CONSUMER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT
WE WANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE ODOMETER "ROLLBACK" (CHANGING FROM KILOMETERS TO MILES). DOES THIS CONSTITUTE ODOMETER FRAUD IF STICKER WAS NOT ON THE DOOR WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE? WE WANT TO
THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY 1997 AUDI A8 FAILED INTERNALLY AND WAS DISABLED IN IT'S ABILITY TO SPRING BACK FROM THE START POSITION. WITH THE SWITCH CONTACTS IN A POSITION BETWEEN START AND RUN, NONE OF
Showing the 8 most serious of 11 complaints filed with NHTSA.
