AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

1990 Audi 80

Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Mar 29, 1996 to Aug 31, 2004.

Recalls (3)Complaints (9)Investigations (2)Bulletins (0)
Recall campaigns covering this model year3213k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints9Close to the median 1990 sedan
Severity index11.11990 sedans average 17.0
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1990 Audi 80 peaked in 1997, with 2 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.511.52199621999200220052008201120142017202020232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

67% of complaints about the 1990 Audi 80 name powertrain

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Powertrain
6
Electrical system
2
Airbags
1
Fuel system
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

3 recall campaigns cover the 1990 Audi 80

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 1990 Audi 80
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
97V-172Oct 6, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehiclesAirbags54,800Part replacement
93V-006Jan 11, 1993Differential oil of the transaxle is lost over time due to evaporationPowertrain152,000Part replacement
90V-070Apr 10, 1990Improperly manufactured steering lock bolts could break if driver applies excessive force to a locked steering wheel in an attempt to disengage…Steering6,600Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1990 Audi 80

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

9 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Aug 31, 2004Failure Nov 12, 200276,948 milesKingston, NYPower train

    WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE SEIZED. *AK *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10039644
  2. Filed Jan 23, 2003Failure Sep 1, 200295,000 milesBerkeley, CASwitch

    THERE IS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. THERE IS A SCREECHING SOUND THAT OTHER OWNERS OF LATER AUDI MODELS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE LATER MODELS, BUT I AM NOT AWARE OF ONE FOR THAT. HTTP://WWW.BBA-REMAN.COM/AUTO-MINE/AUDI/AUDIA6_IGNITION_SWITCH_PROBLEM.HTM

    NHTSA complaint 10003309
  3. Filed Jan 23, 2003Failure May 5, 200295,000 milesBerkeley, CASeal, Axle shaft

    THERE IS LEAKAGE IN SEAL OF THE FRONT AXLE SHAFT. I FEAR THAT IF IT CONTINUES THEN IT COULD CAUSE A BIG STEERING FAILURE

    NHTSA complaint 10003308
  4. Filed May 3, 2000Failure Apr 7, 2000Potomac, MDFuel system, Tank assembly

    CONSUMER NOTICED DRIPPING OF GAS TANK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT LEAK CAUSED BY RUST AT TOP OF FUEL TANK.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 861316
  5. Filed Oct 5, 1999Failure Feb 3, 1999Detroit, MIAxle shaft, Seal

    BEARINGS AND SEALS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING LEAKAGE. NLM

    NHTSA complaint 548904
  6. Filed Jan 8, 1999Failure Nov 25, 1998Renton, WADifferential unit

    THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WAS DUR TO "LACK OF OIL IN THE CHAMBER" THE VEHICLE STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL COMPONENT AND THE RECORD KEPT BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER INDICATE THAT NO DIFFERENTIAL RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACT AUDI OF AMERICA'S NATION CONSUMER OFFICE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE

    NHTSA complaint 702009
  7. Filed Jul 17, 1997Failure Jul 3, 1997Jackson Heights, NYFrontal, 12v/24v/48v batteryCrash1 injured

    THE BATTERY DIED, CALLED AAA AND HAD THE BATTERY RECHARGED. THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND THREW THE CONSUMER MORE THAN 5 FEET AWAY INTO A BRICK WALL. *AK THE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED WHILE JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE. AS THE RESULT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYING, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LIKE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE DESTROYED. *YH

    NHTSA complaint 814325
  8. Filed Jan 6, 1997Failure Nov 7, 1996Chicago, ILAxle assembly

    RECALL ON DIFFERENTIAL DONE ON VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY. IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HIGH GRINDING NOISE, CAR SLOWS DOWN SEEMS LIKE HITTING BRAKES BUT DIDN'T. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THE ENTIRE TRANSAXLE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 807130
  9. Filed Mar 29, 1996Failure Mar 26, 1996Norcross, GAAutomatic transmission

    WHILE DRIVING 60MPH, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, ALMOST RESULTING IN A ACCIDENT. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 981405
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

2 NHTSA investigations on file

  • EA94026 Engineering analysis, Airbags
    INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
    Opened Jul 19, 1994, closed Jul 28, 1995 · led to a recall
  • PE94023 Preliminary evaluation, Airbags
    INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
    Opened Mar 7, 1994, closed Jul 19, 1994
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

No manufacturer communications on file

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins