RoadVitals

1990 Audi Quattro

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 Aug 21, 2002
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.
2
Latest Apr 10, 1990
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

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Audi Quattro, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have 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

  • Driver assistance240.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Seat belts120.0%

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

2 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
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
90V069000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Apr 10, 1990
600 units potentially affected
The defect: A SECURING CLIP ON THE OUTSIDE OF HINGES OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACK MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH SEAT COVERING MATERIAL.
The risk: AN IMPROPERLY SECURED CLIP COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACKHINGE TO SEPARATE FROM ITS ANCHOR IN A REAR-END ACCIDENT AND COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY TO OCCUPANT(S).
The remedy: REALIGN SEAT COVERING MATERIAL WHERE INTERFERENCE IS PRESENT.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Aug 21, 2002

THIS COMPLAINT REFERS TO EXISTING CAMPAIGN ID 01V324000, MY VEHICLE HAS SAME LEAKING CAPACITATORS IN REAR SPEAKERS, WHICH CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD, AS VEHICLES IN THE RECALL BUT MY MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
766003
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 2, 1999

FAILURE OF RECALLED THROTTLE PART. KD RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #96V084000 WAS PERFORMED ON 08/01/96. ON 08/10/98 THIS NEW "IMPROVED" CRUISE CONTROL BUSHING FAILED, WHILE THE ENGINE THROTTLE WAS IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION. THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD, ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE QUADRANT AND NOW BROKEN BUSHING, BECAME JAMBED BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND THE THROTTLE CABLE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY. THE AUTO REMAINED IN THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION, WITH THE SPEED APROACHING 80 MPH, IN 3 LANES OF MODERATE 35 MPH TRAFFIC. THE BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION WERE USED TO BRING THE AUTO TO A STOP, NOT RESULTING IN ANY ACCIDENT BUT, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACURER WERE CONTACTED ON THE DAY OF THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE NEW BUSHING DOES BEGIN TO CRACK WITHIN 2 YEARS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS ISSUE. UNDER LESS FAVORABLE CONDITIONS THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE AUTOMOBILES SPEED BEING CONTROLLED BY A FIXED OR OTHER MOVING OBJECT(IE AUTO). WARNING! THIS THROTTLE ARRANGEMENT MAY BE COMMON ON NEWER MODELS MANY HAVING MUCH MORE POWERFUL/FASTER ENGINES. PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT OR INVESTIGATE FOR OTHERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
710832
Incident
Aug 10, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed May 28, 1997

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAD UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND OVERRIDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP DUE TO A BROKEN ROD BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE THROTTLE CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
812535
Incident
May 25, 1997
Engine
Filed Nov 1, 1995

THE EXHAUST HANGER BROKE . TT

NHTSA ID
974288
Seat belts
Filed Jun 20, 1995

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT IS CRACKED AND NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

NHTSA ID
967282
Incident
Jan 1, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi Quattro by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009100—
2003300—
2002120137.6
2001110138.4
2000700—
1999210038.0
1998900—
1997110033.8
1996600—
1995100—
1994100—
1993300—
1991600—
1990Viewing520—
1989010—
1988010—
1987112—
1986012—
1985012—
1984010—

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.