- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1986 Audi 80 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1986 Audi 80 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in January 1993 for the axle assembly.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical 80 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1986 Audi 80 recalls 1
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
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1986 Audi 80 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Audi 80: every year compared
All 80 years1986 Audi 80 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Audi 80 | 0 | 1 | B | |
| 1986 Audi 5000 | 15 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 1986 Audi 4000 | 4 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1986 Audi Audi | 2 | 0 | B | 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 1986 Audi 80
Does the 1986 Audi 80 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1986 Audi 80: axle assembly (January 1993). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1986 Audi 80 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1986 Audi 80 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 61 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Audi 80 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 80 years have the most complaints?
1990 (10), 1989 (7), 1988 (4). See every Audi 80 year compared.
What should I do if my 1986 Audi 80 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