RoadVitals

1988 Audi 90

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 Sep 22, 2000
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.
1
Latest Jan 11, 1993
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.
0
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Audi 90, most frequently naming the brakes, steering and visibility categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Steering133.3%
  • Visibility133.3%

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

1 campaign 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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Sep 22, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
732247
Steering
Filed Oct 7, 1999

THE ANTI-THEFT LOCKING MECHANISM THAT ENGAGES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING STEERING TO MALFUNCTION.THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
850201
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 1997

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKES LOSE PRESSURE AND GO TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
818836
Visibility
Filed Sep 10, 1996
1 injury reported

HEATER CORE FAILED AS VEHICLE WA SENTERING GAS STATION, WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGED UP AND DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT WAS BURNED BY HOT COOLANT. *AK

NHTSA ID
508377
Incident
Sep 4, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi 90 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997010—
1996020—
1995183045.8
1994102038.8
1993162257.0
1992011—
1991322—
1990332—
1989021—
1988Viewing410—
1987010—
1986010—
1985010—
1971010—

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.