AI DamageAudi 80: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Audi 80 across 5 model years: 23 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 65% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 15 complaints (65% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (4% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1988–1990
- 2.3 L · petrol · 5 cyl 1988–1992
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1993–1995
- automatic, 3-speed 1988–1990
- automatic, 4-speed 1991–1995
- manual, 5-speed 1988–1995
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The battery died, called aaa and had the battery recharged. Then turned the ignition on and the driver's side airbag deployed, and threw the consumer more than 5 feet away into a brick wall. The air bag was deployed while jump starting the vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 1991 audi 80. While driving 5 mph the front wheels locked and would not unlock. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Eight months before the gear was stuck in reverse but eventually released. There was a nhtsa campaign id 93v006000 (power train: axle assembly), however; the vin was not included.
There is an ignition problem. There is a screeching sound that other owners of later audi models have also complained about. Apparently there is a recall for the later models, but I am not aware of one for that. Http://www.bba-reman.com/auto-mine/audi/audia6_ignition_switch_problem.htm
There is leakage in seal of the front axle shaft. I fear that if it continues then it could cause a big steering failure
Vehicle was taken to dealer who stated that leak caused by rust at top of fuel tank.
Differential failed due to evaporation of the oil, (recall, however vehicle denied # 93v-006).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.