Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Audi 90. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Audi 90,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1971–1997 with 23 recall campaigns and 95 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1995 (3), 1990 (3), and 1996 (2).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1993 (37), 1995 (33), and 1994 (13).
Top recall themes: Airbags, Electrical, and Equipment and labeling.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system:ignition:switch, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system, Electrical system:ignition.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
2 campaigns · Years: 1989–1993, 1995–1997
These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Audi 90 in NHTSA complaint data are
Electrical system:ignition:switch, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system, Electrical system:ignition.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1997
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1996
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1995
3
33
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Structure:body:door, Electrical system:starter assembly.
1994
2
13
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Electrical system.
1993
2
37
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system.
1992
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1991
2
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
1990
3
5
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Electrical system:ignition.
1989
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1988
1
4
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core, Steering:column locking:anti-theft device.
1987
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1986
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1985
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1971
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Air bags
, Power train
and Electrical system
Show recall evidence by year
1997
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The discharge of static electricity under low humidity conditions can activate the driver side air bag when the driver enters or exits the vehicle and forms an electrical circuit by touching certain areas of the steering wheel.
1996
Electrical system: Switch:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The discharge of static electricity under low humidity conditions can activate the driver side air bag when the driver enters or exits the vehicle and forms an electrical circuit by touching certain areas of the steering wheel.
1995
Electrical system: Switch:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The discharge of static electricity under low humidity conditions can activate the driver side air bag when the driver enters or exits the vehicle and forms an electrical circuit by touching certain areas of the steering wheel.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with v6 engines. An internal seal of the fuel injector can malfunction, allowing fuel leakage in the engine compartment.
1994
Electrical system: Switch:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured and can cause some electrical accessories to malfunction.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with v6 engines. An internal seal of the fuel injector can malfunction, allowing fuel leakage in the engine compartment.
1993
Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with v6 engines. An internal seal of the fuel injector can malfunction, allowing fuel leakage in the engine compartment.
1992
Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
1991
Power train: Axle assembly:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
1990
Steering: Anti-theft device:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Power train: Axle assembly:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
1989
Power train: Axle assembly:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
1988
Power train: Axle assembly:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1987
Power train: Axle assembly:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1986
Power train: Axle assembly:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1985
Power train: Axle assembly:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1971
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
