Owners have filed 33 complaints
about the 1995 Audi 90 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 60
Against the median year of the Audi 90. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 16
3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Switch
729.2%
Door
416.7%
Starter Assembly
312.5%
Stabilizer BAR
28.3%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
28.3%
Gasoline
28.3%
Rack AND Pinion
28.3%
Master Cylinder
28.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 5Apr 2006
Recalls on the 1995 Audi 90
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
98V332000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES. AN INTERNAL SEAL OF THE FUEL INJECTOR CAN MALFUNCTION, ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
97V175000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Risk: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
96V017000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
Risk: SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19990042,700 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel injectors could malfunction and cause fuel seepage in the engine compartment. Fuel seepage, in the presence of an ignition source such as a spark leak from a spark plug wire could cause an engine compartment fire. Correction: All fuel injectors will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Recall 19971761,997 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS COULD ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE INJURY. CORRECTION: A GROUND WIRE WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19960241,274 units in Canada
Electrical
THE IGNITION SWITCHES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITIONERS TO MALFUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
BAY Village, OHCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV; AND THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD, AND LANDED IN A YARD BETWEEN TWO HOUSES.
NHTSA complaint #814161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Palm Desert, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER HAS HAD TWO REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCHES ALL OF WHICH FAILED SHORTLY AFTER REPLACEMENT. *TS A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTINUED TO USE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES. THE CONSUMER HAD 6 IGNITION SWITCHES REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10155180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL BE FINE. ONCE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH. THE KEY PHYSICALLY MOVED TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION, AND THE CAR STALLED. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN WHEN IT STALLED. THE CAR STILL HAD MANUAL STEERING AND MANUAL BRAKES. THEN OWNER EASED INTO EMERGENCY LANE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STARTED IT BACK UP AGAIN. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED ON JULY 21, 2005 WHILE THE OWNER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 80 MPH, AND THE KEY WENT TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION AGAIN AND CAR STALLED. THE STEERING LOCKED, AND THE BRAKES WERE BARELY WORKING. THERE ARE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS REGULARLY SERVICED. THE CAR HAS BEEN PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IT SHOWED NO CODES, THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 6 2005. THE OWNER WILL TAKE THE CAR BACK TO MECHANIC IF SHE CAN GET THE CAR STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10130050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesHillburn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10074391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR TURN OVER, TOWED TO DEALER TO FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR TURN OVER, TOWED TO DEALER TO FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
IDLER STABILIZER UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR TURN OVER, TOWED TO DEALER TO FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR TURN OVER, TOWED TO DEALER TO FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
IDLER STABILIZER UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #759317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milford, CT
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PARTS, SUCH AS POWER WINDOWS OR CHANGING SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING. CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF, AND THEN TURN VEHICLE BACK ON FOR THESE PARTS TO WORK AGAIN. BUT, PRESENTLY WINDOWS DO NOT WORK ANY MORE.
NHTSA complaint #892495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milford, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PARTS, SUCH AS POWER WINDOWS OR CHANGING SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING. CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF, AND THEN TURN VEHICLE BACK ON FOR THESE PARTS TO WORK AGAIN. BUT, PRESENTLY WINDOWS DO NOT WORK ANY MORE.
NHTSA complaint #892495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milford, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PARTS, SUCH AS POWER WINDOWS OR CHANGING SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING. CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF, AND THEN TURN VEHICLE BACK ON FOR THESE PARTS TO WORK AGAIN. BUT, PRESENTLY WINDOWS DO NOT WORK ANY MORE.
NHTSA complaint #892495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean City, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED BY CONSUMER, AND DEALER CLAIMED RECALL 96V017000 WAS PERFORMED PRIOR,BUT PART HAS FAILED AGAIN. *AK THERE WAS STARTER SWITCH RECALL BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED DURING THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #881113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHEN TURNING ON CAR BLINKERS, A/C, WILL NOT WORK, THEN, CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF CAR , THEN TURN BACK ON. CONSUMER STATED THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #873751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delmont, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN TURNING ON IGNITION CERTAIN ACCESSORIES WILL NOT WORK. CONSUMER HAS TO STOP CAR AND RESTART IT. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TWICE. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME THAT CONSUMER HAS HAD TO HAVE AN IGNITION SWITCH PUT IN. CONSUMER FELT AUDI NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #867700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheshire, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION, AND POWER LOCKS OPERATE ERRATICALLY. A RECALL 96V017000 HAS BEEN ISSUED ON IGNITION SWITCH. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #865388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheshire, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION, AND POWER LOCKS OPERATE ERRATICALLY. A RECALL 96V017000 HAS BEEN ISSUED ON IGNITION SWITCH. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #865388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheshire, CT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION, AND POWER LOCKS OPERATE ERRATICALLY. A RECALL 96V017000 HAS BEEN ISSUED ON IGNITION SWITCH. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #865388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belmont, MA
AIR BAGS
PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO GET MY AIRBAG FIXED. IF A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. I'VE BEEN TRYING FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO HAVE THE DEALER FIX THIS, BUT THEY SAY THEY CAN'T GET THE PARTS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO.
NHTSA complaint #719465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FL
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO START ENGINE WHEN TURNED ON. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD IT REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TOOK TO DIFFERENT DEALER & REPLACED SWITCH AGAIN. IGNITION SWITCH UNDER RECALL #96V017000 WHICH HAD ALSO FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #845146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.