1990 Audi 80 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1990 Audi 80, and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
3 safety recalls for the 1990 Audi 80
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag sensor control module.
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Axle assembly (power train)
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.
Remedy: Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.
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Anti-theft device (steering)
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.
Remedy: Replace complete steering lock assembly, including a modified lock bolt.
9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1990 Audi 80 have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 88,983 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“While driving at 55 MPH the front wheels locked without warning. The dealer stated that the transaxle seized. *ak *nm”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 31, 2004 · Power train
“There is leakage in seal of the front axle shaft. I fear that if it continues then it could cause a big steering failure”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 23, 2003 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1990 Audi 80/90 (80, 80 quattro, 90, 90 quattro 20v). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–20 / 20–28 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4/5 cyl, 2/2.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Audi 80 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Audi 80 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 Audi 80 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 Audi 80 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 Audi 80 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 Audi 80 | 1 | 4 |
| 1989 Audi 80 | 2 | 7 |
| 1990 Audi 80 | 3 | 9 |
| 1991 Audi 80 | 2 | 2 |
| 1992 Audi 80 | 1 | 1 |
| 1993 Audi 80 | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1990 Audi 80
How do I know if my 1990 Audi 80 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1990 Audi 80; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Audi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 90V070000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Audi models
- A42,895 complaints
- A61,658 complaints
- Q51,342 complaints
- Q71,047 complaints
- A3731 complaints
- S4588 complaints
- A5325 complaints
- TT319 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.