Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

6 reports

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76,948 miles · Aug 31, 2004

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE SEIZED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10039644

95,000 miles · Jan 23, 2003

Power Train

THERE IS LEAKAGE IN SEAL OF THE FRONT AXLE SHAFT. I FEAR THAT IF IT CONTINUES THEN IT COULD CAUSE A BIG STEERING FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10003308

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999

Power Train

BEARINGS AND SEALS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING LEAKAGE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #548904

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 1999

Power Train

THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WAS DUR TO "LACK OF OIL IN THE CHAMBER" THE VEHICLE STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL COMPONENT AND THE RECORD KEPT BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER INDICATE THAT NO DIFFERENTIAL RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACT AUDI OF AMERICA'S NATION CONSUMER OFFICE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #702009

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1997

Power Train

RECALL ON DIFFERENTIAL DONE ON VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY. IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HIGH GRINDING NOISE, CAR SLOWS DOWN SEEMS LIKE HITTING BRAKES BUT DIDN'T. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THE ENTIRE TRANSAXLE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #807130

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 1996

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, ALMOST RESULTING IN A ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #981405

Official recalls

97V172000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Oct 6, 1997

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.

93V006000 · Power Train:axle Assembly

Jan 11, 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.

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.

90V070000 · Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Apr 10, 1990

IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STEERING LOCK BOLTS COULD BREAK IF DRIVER APPLIES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISENGAGE THE STEERING LOCK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BOLT BREAKAGE WOULD CAUSE STEERING WHEEL TO REMAIN LOCKED EVEN AFTER THE DRIVER TURNS THE IGNITION KEY AND ATTEMPTS TO MOVE THE CAR; THIS TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE COMPLETE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING A MODIFIED LOCK BOLT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA94026 · Inadver.air Bag Deployment

Opened Jul 19, 1994 · Closed Jul 28, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

There is no summary currently available

PE94023 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment

Opened Mar 7, 1994 · Closed Jul 19, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

There is no summary currently available