Audi 90 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
114,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1971 to 1997 model years. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 35 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 31.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 8.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 10 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 10; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
1995: 5; 1996: 1; 2000: 12; 2001: 5; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 965193 · 1995-05-11 (May 11, 1995)
BATTERY EXPLODED, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IGNITION COIL HAD A CRACK. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960186 · 1995-02-17 (February 17, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRICAL SYS. WIRE HARNESS FRONT SHORTED, CAUSED FAN TO BURN OUT, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231006 · 2008-06-14 (June 14, 2008)
WIRE HARNESS AT THE TRUNK LID (L.H.S) . WHERE IT HINGES , WIRES TEND TO BREAK THERE AND SHORT WHICH CONTROLS THE BRAKE LIGHTS, BLINKERS, REVERSE LIGHTS, DASHLIGHTS. OVER TIME FROM OPENING AND CLOSING THE TRUNK THE WIRE BREAK AND COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE OTHER WIRES. I HAVE HAD MY FUSE BLOW AND NOT KNOW IT AND HAVE HAD CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT MY CAR OR PEOPLE YELLING AT ME SAYING I HAVE NO BREAK LIGHTS. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND AUDI KNOWS ABOUT IT AND HAS YET TO COME UP WITH FIX. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004197 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE REPLACED. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STOPPED. TS THE FAILURES CORRESPOND EXACTLY WITH THE CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED IN RECALL 96V017000. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS, LIGHTS AND HORN TO MALFUNCTION. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT MOVE AND COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. BRAKE PADS WORN AND REPLACED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 62,142 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486481 · 1995-06-06 (June 6, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS DUE TO CAM SPROCKET/TIMING BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8021085 · 2002-10-17 (October 17, 2002)
MFR#KB & NHTSA#96 V 017 000/VW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH DELAYED IN STARTING, INTERMITTENTLY THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE HEADLIGHT BECOME INOPERATIVE WHILE DRIVING AND LOSS OF POWER. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN# WAS NO COVER UNDER THAT RECALL PEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8021085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130050 · 2005-07-26 (July 26, 2005)
DT: IN MAY THE PROBLEM BEGAN. OWNER NOTICED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE KEY GOES BACK INTO ACCESSORY POSITION AND CAR WON'T START. THERE IS RECALL 96V017000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. BUT OWNER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF AUDI, BUT THEY WOULD NOT HELP. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL. WHEN CAR IS STARTED, SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK OR THE WINDOWS WON'T ROLL DOWN. WHEN THE KEY IS SHUT OFF, AND SLOWLY TURNED BACK ON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130050 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
1985: 1; 1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1988: 1; 1989: 2; 1990: 3; 1991: 2; 1992: 1; 1993: 2; 1994: 2; 1995: 3; 1996: 2; 1997: 1