1990 Audi Quattro recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: REPLACE COMPLETE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING A MODIFIED LOCK BOLT.
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 QUATTRO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V070000.
- 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: STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: STEERING LOCK BOLTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAGS.
2. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. A SECURING CLIP ON THE OUTSIDE OF HINGES OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACK MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH SEAT COVERING MATERIAL.
What could happen: AN IMPROPERLY SECURED CLIP COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACKHINGE TO SEPARATE FROM ITS ANCHOR IN A REAR-END ACCIDENT AND COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY TO OCCUPANT(S).
The fix: REALIGN SEAT COVERING MATERIAL WHERE INTERFERENCE IS PRESENT.
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 QUATTRO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V069000.
- 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: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Summary: A SECURING CLIP ON THE OUTSIDE OF HINGES OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACK MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH SEAT COVERING MATERIAL.
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY SECURED CLIP COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACKHINGE TO SEPARATE FROM ITS ANCHOR IN A REAR-END ACCIDENT AND COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY TO OCCUPANT(S).
Remedy: REALIGN SEAT COVERING MATERIAL WHERE INTERFERENCE IS PRESENT.
Notes: SYSTEM: SEAT BACK HINGE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2), Equipment (1), Engine (1), Seat belts (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
08/21/2002 · Equipment
THIS COMPLAINT REFERS TO EXISTING CAMPAIGN ID 01V324000, MY VEHICLE HAS SAME LEAKING CAPACITATORS IN REAR SPEAKERS, WHICH CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD, AS VEHICLES IN THE RECALL BUT MY MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL.*AK
09/02/1999 · Vehicle Speed Control
FAILURE OF RECALLED THROTTLE PART. KD RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #96V084000 WAS PERFORMED ON 08/01/96. ON 08/10/98 THIS NEW "IMPROVED" CRUISE CONTROL BUSHING FAILED, WHILE THE ENGINE THROTTLE WAS IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION. THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD, ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE QUADRANT AND NOW BROKEN BUSHING, BECAME JAMBED BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND THE T…
05/28/1997 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAD UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND OVERRIDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP DUE TO A BROKEN ROD BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE THROTTLE CONTROL. *AK
11/01/1995 · Engine
THE EXHAUST HANGER BROKE . TT
06/20/1995 · Seat belts
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT IS CRACKED AND NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT