Model year guide

1990 Audi V8

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Audi V8 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

1990 Audi V8 — representative photo
Representative photo

1990 Audi V8 at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints8
Combined14–15 mpg

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

1990 Audi V8 recalls 3

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.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #96V084000 · 10/05/1996

A BUSHING WHICH GUIDES THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD CAN, OVER TIME, DETERIORATE AND CAUSE THE CONTROL ROD TO BIND.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONTROL ROD BUSHING WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION.

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 V8 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
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.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

1990 Audi V8 MPG & running costs

Combined14–15 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,625
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$11,125 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 V8 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$23,125
Fuel only$23,125
Per mile$0.31

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
191.7 in
Width
71.3 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,946 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Audi V8. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1990 Audi V8. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Seats And Restraints

THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR ACCIDENT. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CORRECTION: AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1997175 · Oct 1997

Engine

A BUSHING WHICH GUIDES THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD COULD, OVER TIME, DETERIORATE AND CAUSE THE CONTROL ROD TO BIND. A BINDING CONTROL ROD COULD IMPEDE THE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE PLATE TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. CORRECTION: CONTROL ROD BUSHING WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION.

Transport Canada #1996077 · May 1996

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Audi V8

The Audi V8 is a four-door, full-size luxury sedan, designed, manufactured and marketed by Audi in Germany from 1988 to 1993, as the company's flagship. As the first car from Audi to use a V8 engine, it also was the first Audi to combine a quattro system with an automatic transmission. Early cars used 3.6-litre V8s, while later cars featured a 4.2-litre version of the engine. The Audi V8 was replaced by the Audi A8 in 1994, although the A8 was not marketed in North America until 1996.

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

1990 Audi V8 vehicles on record

1990 Audi V8 1990 Audi V8WAUZZZ44ZLN067724 1990 Audi V8 1990 Audi V8WAUZZZ44ZLN030409

Other Audi V8 model years

1993 1992 1989

1990 Audi V8 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1990 Audi V8 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1990 Audi V8. 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 V8?

Across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Audi V8 get?

The 1990 Audi V8 has U.S. EPA estimates of 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

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