RoadVitals

1989 Audi 100

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Dec 11, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 6, 1997
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Audi 100, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), heating & air conditioning and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)250.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning125.0%
  • Visibility125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Oct 6, 1997
54,800 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT THE SENSOR SHOULD MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Jan 11, 1993
152,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL OF THE TRANSAXLE IS LOST OVER TIME DUE TO EVAPORATION. LOW OIL LEVELS CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING AND GEAR WEAR AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE, THE VEHICLE'S DRIVE WHEELS COULDLOSE POWER. IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCK, CAUSING RAPIDDECELERATION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER

Apr 2, 1991
20,800 units potentially affected
The defect: INSTRUCTION LABEL IN THE TRUNK OF VEHICLE IS INCORRECT FOR THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE.
The risk: INCORRECT USE CAN RESULT IN THE JACK COLLAPSING, WITHINJURY TO INDIVIDUALS UNDER OR NEAR VEHICLE DURING COLLAPSE.
The remedy: SUPPLY INSERT TO OWNER'S MANUAL NOTING CORRECT USAGE, AS WELL AS A CORRECTED INSTRUCTION LABEL FOR THE TRUNK.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA94026ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Jul 19, 1994
Closed Jul 28, 1995

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 97V172000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 11, 2003

DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED OIL INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DAMAGED THE GEARS. *AK A RECALL WAS ISSUED RELATED TO THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10050439
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 10, 2000

SPEEDOMETER FAILED,THE ODOMETER NO LONGER RECORDS MILEAGE. YH

NHTSA ID
548943
Visibility
Filed Jan 26, 1998

WINDOWS FOG OVER AND THE DEFROSTER ONLY MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE.

NHTSA ID
529768
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Oct 15, 1996

FAN MOTOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID
509858
Incident
Oct 1, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi 100 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001600
1998300
1997000
1996010
1995021
1994203158.0
1993183366.4
1992223250.7
1991104158.0
1990442
1989Viewing431
1988010
1987010
1986010
1985010
1977010
1976010
1975010
1973020
1972100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.