1990 Audi 80: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 20.0% |
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 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003308 · 2003-01-23 (January 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
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003309 · 2003-01-23 (January 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
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039644 · 2004-08-31 (August 31, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE SEIZED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 76,948 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861316 · 2000-05-03 (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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 981405 · 1996-03-29 (March 29, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING 60MPH, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, ALMOST RESULTING IN A ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 981405 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V070000 · Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
Reported: 1990-04-10 (April 10, 1990)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE COMPLETE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING A MODIFIED LOCK BOLT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V006000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly
Reported: 1993-01-11 (January 11, 1993)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V172000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 1997-10-06 (October 6, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗