- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the air bag sensor control module.
Vehicle safety record
1989 Audi 200 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1989 Audi 200 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (2) and the lights (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 fire. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 1997 for the sensor / control module-inactive. For comparison, the 1988 has 0 and the 1990 has 3.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 200 year, for its age
#131 most complained-about 1989 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1989 Audi 200 problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1989 Audi 200 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.
- The problem
- Instruction label in the trunk of vehicle is incorrect for the jack supplied with the vehicle.
- The risk
- Incorrect use can result in the jack collapsing, withinjury to individuals under or near vehicle during collapse.
- The fix
- Supply insert to owner's manual noting correct usage, as well as a corrected instruction label for the trunk.
What owners say
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5 complaints about the 1989 Audi 200
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Vehicle's differential went out resulting in accident.*Mr the mechanic replaced the defective differential with a used one because of the age and mileage on the vehicle. The consumer called audi and gave them the vin and other information. He was then informed that there was no recall for his vehicle. Consumer felt this was incompetent or they lied. *Ph
Brake light system on effects steering and hydraulic system/ unknown speed broken speedometer/odometer. *Ak
Underhood fire occured on vehicle while traveling eb on lie. Engine cooling fan motor siezed, resulting in a uninterupted ground fault which burned all the wires in the main wiring harness. There was no circuit breaker or fuse provided in the wiring to prevent a groud fault from occuring. Audi upgraded subsuquent model years of this vehicle with a fuseable link on the ground side of the cooling fan motor, but failed to provide the upgrade to owners of 1984 thru 1989 vehicles. Complete destruction of the vehicle was prevented only by my ability to disconnect the battery cables in a rapid manner.
Owner states while sitting at a red light his driver's side airbag deployed for no reason.O wner is concerned about this problem. *Ak
Poor performance on the head lights, can not see the road at night due to the headlights fogging. *Ak
Audi 200: every year compared
All 200 years1989 Audi 200 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Audi 200 | 5 | 3 | F | |
| 1989 Audi 80 | 7 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1989 Audi 100 | 4 | 3 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1989 Audi 200
Does the 1989 Audi 200 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1989 Audi 200: sensor / control module-inactive (October 1997); axle assembly (January 1993); accessory scissor / screw / bottle jack / lift (April 1991). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Audi 200?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (2), lights (2), airbags (1).
How many complaints has the 1989 Audi 200 had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 27, 1996 and the latest on October 20, 2003. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1989 Audi 200 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 6 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Audi 200 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi 200 years have the most complaints?
1991 (10), 1989 (5), 1990 (3). See every Audi 200 year compared.
What should I do if my 1989 Audi 200 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data