RoadVitals

1989 Audi 200

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.
5
Latest Oct 20, 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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Audi 200, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), airbags and brakes 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)228.6%
  • Airbags114.3%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%

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
97V172000

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
93V006000

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
91V050000

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 Oct 20, 2003
Crash reported

VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.*MR THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE DIFFERENTIAL WITH A USED ONE BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CALLED AUDI AND GAVE THEM THE VIN AND OTHER INFORMATION. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS INCOMPETENT OR THEY LIED. *PH

NHTSA ID
10044506
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2000

BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM ON EFFECTS STEERING AND HYDRAULIC SYSTEM/ UNKNOWN SPEED BROKEN SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER. *AK

NHTSA ID
721134
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 6, 1999
Fire reported

UNDERHOOD FIRE OCCURED ON VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING EB ON LIE. ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR SIEZED, RESULTING IN A UNINTERUPTED GROUND FAULT WHICH BURNED ALL THE WIRES IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THERE WAS NO CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE PROVIDED IN THE WIRING TO PREVENT A GROUD FAULT FROM OCCURING. AUDI UPGRADED SUBSUQUENT MODEL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE WITH A FUSEABLE LINK ON THE GROUND SIDE OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR, BUT FAILED TO PROVIDE THE UPGRADE TO OWNERS OF 1984 THRU 1989 VEHICLES. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE WAS PREVENTED ONLY BY MY ABILITY TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES IN A RAPID MANNER.

NHTSA ID
706301
Incident
May 4, 1999
Airbags
Filed May 1, 1997

OWNER STATES WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT HIS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.O WNER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
811895
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 27, 1996

POOR PERFORMANCE ON THE HEAD LIGHTS, CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS FOGGING. *AK

NHTSA ID
979789
Incident
Jan 15, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi 200 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1993010—
1992021—
1991104170.9
1990342—
1989Viewing531—
1988010—
1987010—
1986010—
1985010—

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.