Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2003
Power TrainCrash
VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.*MR THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE DIFFERENTIAL WITH A USED ONE BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CALLED AUDI AND GAVE THEM THE VIN AND OTHER INFORMATION. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS I…
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VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.*MR THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE DIFFERENTIAL WITH A USED ONE BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CALLED AUDI AND GAVE THEM THE VIN AND OTHER INFORMATION. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS INCOMPETENT OR THEY LIED. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10044506
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Exterior LightingPower Train
BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM ON EFFECTS STEERING AND HYDRAULIC SYSTEM/ UNKNOWN SPEED BROKEN SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721134
Mileage unknown · May 6, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
UNDERHOOD FIRE OCCURED ON VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING EB ON LIE. ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR SIEZED, RESULTING IN A UNINTERUPTED GROUND FAULT WHICH BURNED ALL THE WIRES IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THERE WAS NO CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE PROVIDED IN THE WIRING TO PREVENT A GROUD FAULT FROM OCCURING. AUDI UPGRADED SUBSUQUENT MODEL YEARS OF …
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UNDERHOOD FIRE OCCURED ON VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING EB ON LIE. ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR SIEZED, RESULTING IN A UNINTERUPTED GROUND FAULT WHICH BURNED ALL THE WIRES IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THERE WAS NO CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE PROVIDED IN THE WIRING TO PREVENT A GROUD FAULT FROM OCCURING. AUDI UPGRADED SUBSUQUENT MODEL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE WITH A FUSEABLE LINK ON THE GROUND SIDE OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR, BUT FAILED TO PROVIDE THE UPGRADE TO OWNERS OF 1984 THRU 1989 VEHICLES. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE WAS PREVENTED ONLY BY MY ABILITY TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES IN A RAPID MANNER.
NHTSA ODI #706301
Mileage unknown · May 1, 1997
Air Bags
OWNER STATES WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT HIS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.O WNER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #811895
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 1996
Exterior Lighting
POOR PERFORMANCE ON THE HEAD LIGHTS, CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS FOGGING. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT THE SENSOR SHOULD MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE, THE VEHICLE'S DRIVE WHEELS COULDLOSE POWER. IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCK, CAUSING RAPIDDECELERATION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.
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