1990 Audi Coupe recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 COUPE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V172000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (1), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
08/05/2004 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RANDOMLY LOOSES TENSION. THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN WHEN LEANING FORWARD IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEE BETTER AROUND A TURN OR AT NIGHT. SEATBELT REQUIRES MANY YANKS AND MUCH MOVEMENT TO REGAIN TENSION, WHICH TENDS TO BE EASILY LOST AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN SOME SITUATIONS WHERE AN ACCIDENT WOULD BEEN MUCH MORE DANGEROUS DUE TO THE BELT.*AK
08/05/2004 · Fuel system
FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAILING ON THE CAR, AS THEY HAVE FOR MANY OTHERS. THIS HAS CAUSED ROUGH RUNNING, VERY POOR PERFORMANCE, HIGH FUEL CONSUMPTION, ETC. I FOUND THAT AUDI NO LONGER MAKES THE INJECTORS, MAKING THEM DIFFICULT TO ATTAIN/AFFORD. I AM CURRENTLY FORCED TO LOOK INTO HAVING ADAPTORS MACHINED FOR OTHER ADAPTORS TO FIT. THIS MAY NOT COMPLY WITH EMISSIO…