Model year guide

1991 Audi 90

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Audi 90 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 18 on record.

1991 Audi 90 — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 Audi 90 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints3

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

1991 Audi 90 recalls 2

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.

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.

1991 Audi 90 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 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.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Dimensions & weight

Length
176.0–176.4 in
Width
66.9–67.7 in
Height
54.3–54.7 in
Wheelbase
100.0–100.4 in
Curb weight
2,734–3,175 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Audi 90 — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT Closed

NHTSA #EA94026 · Air Bags · opened Jul 1994 · closed Jul 1995

TRANSMISSION FAILURES Closed

NHTSA #PE92041 · Power Train · opened Apr 1992 · closed Aug 1992

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 8

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

Bulletin SM 44-2017 EN · Equipment · Jun 2017

Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified two US based supplie…

Bulletin ATE-17-05 · Equipment · Mar 2017

AUDI: ENGINE, ON SOME VEHICLES, WOULD RUN IRREGULARLY OR HAVE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON OR POSSIBLE FILTER ELEMENT FOR CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT VALVE CAN LOOSEN AND IN OIL CIRCUIT, THERE IS NO DAMAGE FROM LOOSENED PARTICLES. MODEL ALL. ALL YEARS. *PE

Bulletin SB-01-15-29 · Engine · Jul 2015

Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota.

Bulletin AUD4927ENG · Jul 2014

Google Maps Street View (NVLW))

Bulletin Update91i8 · May 2014

VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE

Bulletin 2015831 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Structure · Aug 2008

HEADLIGHT AIMING, USING HELLA UNIVERSAL BEAMSETTER. *KB

Bulletin 20056243 · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2007

INFORMATION OBTAINING THE FLUID CAPACITY CHART. *YC

Bulletin 9705169704F · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 1997

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 90. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Audi 90. 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 90

The Audi 80 is a compact executive car produced by the Audi subdivision of the Volkswagen Group across four generations from 1966 to 1996. It shared its platform with the Volkswagen Passat from 1973 to 1986 and was available as a saloon, and estate — the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant. The coupé and convertible models were not badged as members of the range, but used a derivative of the same platforms.

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

1991 Audi 90 vehicles on record

1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA181931 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA165205 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA060703 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA001401 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA121385 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ08442050368 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA036034 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA019760 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA034127 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA180010 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA156292 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA091078 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA018736 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8BZMA001403 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA137066 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA211814 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA006161 1991 Audi 90 1991 Audi 90WAUZZZ8AZMA179610

Other Audi 90 model years

1994 1993 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

1991 Audi 90 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Audi 90 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Audi 90. 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 1991 Audi 90?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, seat belts, electrical system.

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