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Audi 90 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Audi 90 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
27
Years to Avoid
1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990
Best Years
1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972
1997Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls18 TSBs
1996Avoid
0 complaints2 recalls16 TSBs
1995Avoid
33 complaints3 recalls26 TSBs
1994Avoid
13 complaints2 recalls18 TSBs
1993Avoid
37 complaints2 recalls2 invest.7 TSBs
1992
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1991Avoid
3 complaints2 recalls2 invest.8 TSBs
1990Avoid
5 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
1989
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1988
4 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
1977Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1971
0 complaints1 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 90 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990 Audi 90 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 90, consider the 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

27 model years analyzed