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Vehicle safety record

1990 Audi V8 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 1990 Audi V8 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3) and the equipment & accessories (2). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 1997 for the sensor / control module-inactive. For comparison, the 1989 has 0 and the 1991 has 2.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical V8 year, for its age

#129 most complained-about 1990 vehicle

Complaints
8
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1990 Audi V8 problems

Share of all 8 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1990 Audi V8 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

Air bags: sensor / control module-inactive

97V17200054,800 vehicles affected

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 speed control

96V0840003,100 vehicles affected

The problem
A bushing which guides the cruise control rod can, over time, deteriorate and cause the control rod to bind.
The risk
A binding control rod can impede the return of the throttle plate to its full idle position.
The fix
Dealers will replace the control rod bushing with an improved version.

What owners say

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8 complaints about the 1990 Audi V8

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Electrical system

Rear speakers make noise upon turning radio on. Noise includes hum, hissing, squeal and poop noises. According to audi, the speakers and amplifiers in my car are the asme as those in 1991 and 1992 versions. 1991 And 1992 cars had a recall on these bose speakers as the failure can cuase a fire. Audi is not extending the same repair to my car because it is not within the scope of the recall, although the systems are the same as are the problems

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10171815
Acceleration & cruise control

The driver was attempting to pass another vehicle on the highway, when there was an increase in acceleration. The throttle was stuck in the open position. The consumer says that it was due to the cruise control. Please provide any further information.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10065558
Equipment & accessories

The consumers vehicle does not fit within the scope of recall 01v-324 due to the vin, the consumer feels the vehicle is subject to the same risk of failure and fire.

Filed Incident EquipmentNHTSA 755043
Airbags

While driving driver's side air bag deployed without being in an accident. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 8010322
Equipment & accessories

Nhtsa already has a defect noted as #01v324000 - this notice is to advise the condition exists on 1990 models not just the 1991 as listed in the nhtsa report. My speakers have failed just as the report indicates causing a fire hazard. Please add 1990 as a year to be included in the report.*Ak

Filed Incident EquipmentNHTSA 756808
Brakes

While driving approximately 60 mph, in the process of braking, the steering wheel vibrates out of control until the speed reaches 25 to 30 mph, then the vehicle operates close to normal. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.*Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 829602
Brakes

The rotors have to be replaced every (10,000-15,000) miles because of warping. Because of the warped rotors, when braking, the vehicle goes into a uncontrollable shaking virbration. In the last 2 1/2 years (3) sets of rotors have been replaced. Rotors need to be replaced a (4th) time. *Ak

Filed Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 812462
SteeringBrakesAcceleration & cruise control

Cruise control was engaged, automatically disengaed, hit resume, vehicle went into open throttle position and would not release, applied the brakes real hard to stop vehicle.*Ak mechanic disengaged cruise control rod and informed consumer there was a recall 96v084, consumer is angry that he never received recall notice. *Slc

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes, hydraulic · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 800668

Audi V8: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19930100-A
19921200Equipment & accessoriesC
19912400BrakesD
19908300BrakesF
19890200-C
All V8 years

1990 Audi V8 vs rivals

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.

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Questions about the 1990 Audi V8

Does the 1990 Audi V8 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1990 Audi V8: sensor / control module-inactive (October 1997); vehicle speed control (May 1996); 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 1990 Audi V8?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3), equipment & accessories (2), acceleration & cruise control (2).

How many complaints has the 1990 Audi V8 had?

8 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 8, 1996 and the latest on October 25, 2006. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1990 Audi V8 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 21 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Audi V8 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 V8 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1990 Audi V8 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

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