AI Damage1990 Audi Quattro: common problems
Owners of the 1990 Audi Quattro filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 40% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 20% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 20% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 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.
This complaint refers to existing campaign id 01v324000, my vehicle has same leaking capacitators in rear speakers, which cause a fire hazard, as vehicles in the recall but my model year was excluded from recall.
Failure of recalled throttle part. Kd recall nhtsa campaign id #96v084000 was performed on 08/01/96. On 08/10/98 this new "improved" cruise control bushing failed, while the engine throttle was in the full open position.
While driving the vehicle had unwanted acceleration and overriding the braking system. Had to turn off the engine in order to stop due to a broken rod between the cruise control and the throttle control.
The front passenger seatbelt is cracked and no longer functions. Please explain. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Quattro has 6 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Audi Quattro?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, engine and cooling, equipment. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 Audi Quattro?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1990 Audi Quattro from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1990 models
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.