Model year guide

1990 Audi 100

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Audi 100 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 417 on record.

1990 Audi 100 — representative photo
Representative photo

1990 Audi 100 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints16
Combined18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1990 Audi 100 recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #97V172000 · 06/10/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.

Power Train:axle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #93V006000 · 11/01/1993

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.

Fix: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #91V156000 · 18/09/1991

THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT WAS INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM PLACARD LOCATED INSIDE THE GAS FILLER DOOR, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 11O.

Fix: NEW LABELS CONTAINING THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLES.

Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer NHTSA Campaign #91V050000 · 02/04/1991

INSTRUCTION LABEL IN THE TRUNK OF VEHICLE IS INCORRECT FOR THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE.

Fix: SUPPLY INSERT TO OWNER'S MANUAL NOTING CORRECT USAGE, AS WELL AS A CORRECTED INSTRUCTION LABEL FOR THE TRUNK.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1990 Audi 100 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Interior Lighting
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1990 Audi 100 safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1990 Audi 100 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1990 Audi 100 MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Automatic 4-spd
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1990 Audi 100 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Fuel only$18,500
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
192.9 in
Width
71.3 in
Height
55.5 in
Wheelbase
105.9 in
Curb weight
2,965 lb
Front track
58.3 in
Rear track
58.3 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Audi 100 — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1990 Audi 100. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Powertrain

ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, A LOW OIL LEVEL IN THE DIFFERENTIAL COULD CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING AND GEAR WEAR AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE DRIVE WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: DIFFERENTIAL WILL BE DRAINED AND OIL WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN ADVANCED DESIGN HIGH PERFORMANCE GEAR OIL. OWNERS WILL BE PROVID…

Transport Canada #1993008 · Jan 1993

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Audi 100

The Audi 100 and Audi 200 are primarily mid-size/executive cars manufactured and marketed by the Audi division of the Volkswagen Group. The car was made from 1968 to 1997 across four generations (C1–C4), with a two-door model available in the first and second generation (C1-C2), and a five-door model available in the last three generations (C2–C4).They also made an 100 Avant in the 1970s.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1990 Audi 100 vehicles on record

1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN110622 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN025279 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN023588 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN056081 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ4AZMN001546 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN104506 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN086823 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN048818 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ4AZMN005662 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN058733 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN075770 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN037415 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN095237 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN063968 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN045243 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN047137 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN018501 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN012605 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN098220 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN097884 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN029867 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN033965 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN095426 1990 Audi 100 1990 Audi 100WAUZZZ44ZLN104433

Other Audi 100 model years

2004 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1990 Audi 100 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1990 Audi 100 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1990 Audi 100. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Audi 100?

Across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline.

What is the 1990 Audi 100 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1990 Audi 100 crash-test ratings of frontal 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1990 Audi 100 get?

The 1990 Audi 100 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.