1990 Audi 80 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Audi 80 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1990 Audi 80. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (67% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and air bags (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system2 22%
- Air bags1 11%
- Fuel system1 11%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “The differential failure was dur to lack of oil in the chamber the vehicle still had the original component and the record kept by the original owner indicate that no differential recall work was done on this vehicle. I contact Audi of america's nation consumer office and they said there was no such recall on this vehicle”
NHTSA complaint #702009, filed 1999-01Electrical system: “The battery died, called aaa and had the battery recharged. Then turned the ignition on and the driver's side airbag deployed, and threw the consumer more than 5 feet away into a brick wall. The air bag was deployed while jump starting the vehicle. As the result of air bag deploying, electrical components like alternator and battery were destroyed.”
NHTSA complaint #814325, filed 1997-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 76,948 and 95,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Audi 80 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 80 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 80 quattro 4WD/AWD | 2.3L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 97V172000Oct 6, 1997Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactiveCovers: Audi 80 1989–1993, 90 1989–1993, 100 1989–1993 +4 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
- 93V006000Jan 11, 1993Power train › Axle assemblyCovers: Audi 80 1985–1991, 5000 1985–1991, 90 1985–1991 +3 more
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.
- 90V070000Apr 10, 1990Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft deviceCovers: Audi 80 1990, 90 1990, Quattro 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.
Recall details for the 1990 Audi 80 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Audi 80.
Other model years of the Audi 80
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 9 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Audi 80 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1990 Audi 80 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Audi 80 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (67% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1990 Audi 80 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Audi 80 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Audi 80 (80, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Audi 80 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 76,948 and 95,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.