Model year record

1991 Audi 90 recalls & problems

The 1991 Audi 90 has 2 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaint).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints3filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsOct 6, 1997

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 97V17200054,800 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.

Power trainJan 11, 1993

Axle assembly

Recall 93V006000152,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

90 quattro 20v

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood	1	1	—
Seat belts	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
THIS FUEL LINE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED BY MY MECHANIC DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST. THE LINE IS LOCATED BETWEEN A HEAT SHIELD AND THE BODY OF THE CAR. MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE LEAKS IN THE SAME AREA. I PAID $100 FOR A REPAIR OF THE LINE. THERE IS AN AUDI 20V EMAIL GROUP THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE RECENTLY AND WE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WERE TOO MANY FUEL LINE FAILURES AMONG US FOR THEM TO BE ISOLATED INCIDENTS.*AK
Nov 1, 2000
Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE RESTRAINT LOCKED, NOT EXTRACTING OR EXTENDING. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE RESTRAINTS. *AK
Jun 3, 1999
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRICAL SYS. WIRE HARNESS FRONT SHORTED, CAUSED FAN TO BURN OUT, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. TT
Feb 17, 1995

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTClosedLed to recall 97V172000
There is no summary currently available
EA94026 · opened Jul 19, 1994 · closed Jul 28, 1995
TRANSMISSION FAILURESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE92041 · opened Apr 16, 1992 · closed Aug 3, 1992