RoadVitals

1990 Audi 80

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.
9
Latest Aug 31, 2004
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.
2
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Audi 80, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 NHTSA investigations name 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)550.0%
  • Electrical220.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Transmission110.0%

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
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
90V070000

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Apr 10, 1990
6,600 units potentially affected
The defect: IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STEERING LOCK BOLTS COULD BREAK IF DRIVER APPLIES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISENGAGE THE STEERING LOCK.
The risk: BOLT BREAKAGE WOULD CAUSE STEERING WHEEL TO REMAIN LOCKED EVEN AFTER THE DRIVER TURNS THE IGNITION KEY AND ATTEMPTS TO MOVE THE CAR; THIS TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE COMPLETE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING A MODIFIED LOCK BOLT.
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
PE94023ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Mar 7, 1994
Closed Jul 19, 1994

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGS

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 31, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10039644
Incident
Nov 12, 2002
Mileage
76,948 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 23, 2003

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 ID
10003309
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Mileage
95,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 23, 2003

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 ID
10003308
Incident
May 5, 2002
Mileage
95,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 3, 2000

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 ID
861316
Incident
Apr 7, 2000
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 5, 1999

BEARINGS AND SEALS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING LEAKAGE. NLM

NHTSA ID
548904
Incident
Feb 3, 1999
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 8, 1999

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 ID
702009
Incident
Nov 25, 1998
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 17, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported

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 ID
814325
Incident
Jul 3, 1997
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 6, 1997

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 ID
807130
Incident
Nov 7, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi 80 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995000—
1994000—
1993010—
1992111—
1991221—
1990Viewing932—
1989721—
1988410—
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.