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Audi 100 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Audi 100 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
30
Years to Avoid
2001, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990
Best Years
2000, 1999, 1997, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1974
2001Avoid
8 complaints0 recalls35 TSBs
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998
3 complaints0 recalls19 TSBs
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996
0 complaints1 recalls16 TSBs
1995Avoid
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.15 TSBs
1994Avoid
34 complaints3 recalls1 invest.16 TSBs
1993Avoid
20 complaints3 recalls3 invest.7 TSBs
1992Avoid
23 complaints3 recalls2 invest.7 TSBs
1991Avoid
11 complaints4 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1990Avoid
15 complaints4 recalls2 invest.
1989
6 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1988
0 complaints1 recalls
1987
0 complaints1 recalls
1986
0 complaints1 recalls
1985
0 complaints1 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977
0 complaints1 recalls
1976
0 complaints1 recalls
1975
0 complaints1 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973
0 complaints2 recalls
1972
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Audi 100 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2001, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 Audi 100 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Audi 100, consider the 2000, 1999, 1997, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1974 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

30 model years analyzed