Audi 80 recalls

6 official safety recalls for the Audi 80 from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Airbag sensor may malfunction and deploy unexpectedly

    Reported October 6, 1997Model years 1989–1993NHTSA campaign 97V17200054,800 vehicles affected

    An airbag sensor may not meet durability standards and could malfunction, causing the airbag system to deploy without warning and potentially causing the driver to lose control. Dealers will replace the airbag sensor control module.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
    Defect
    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.

  2. Wheel bolts may be too short

    Reported February 7, 1994DVSA recall R/1993/0781,248 vehicles affected

    Wheel bolts may be too short to engage sufficiently with the hub threads. Affected bolts will be replaced with longer ones.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    WHEEL RETAINING BOLTS MAY BE TOO SHORT
    Defect
    In some cases the alloy wheel retaining bolts may be of insufficient length and fail to achieve sufficient penetration into the threads in the hub.
    Remedy
    Recall the affected vehicles for replacement of the suspect bolts with longer versions.

  3. Power steering fluid may leak into cabin

    Reported April 27, 1993DVSA recall R/1993/013898 vehicles affected

    Power steering fluid may leak from the steering assembly into the passenger compartment. A modified oil seal will be fitted.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    POSSIBLE LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID
    Defect
    Power steering fluid may leak from the top seal of the steering assembly pinion housing into the vehicle passenger compartment.
    Remedy
    Recall the affected vehicles for fitment of a modified oil seal to the steering assembly pinion housing.

  4. Differential may fail from low oil

    Reported January 11, 1993Model years 1987–1991NHTSA campaign 93V006000152,000 vehicles affected

    Differential oil may evaporate over time, causing bearing and gear wear and eventual failure. The drive wheels could lose power, or the front wheels could lock, risking loss of control. The oil will be replaced with oil having higher performance characteristics.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
    Defect
    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
    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.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH AUTOMATIC 3-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS.

  5. Front suspension bolts may fracture

    Reported February 14, 1992Model years 1991DVSA recall R/1992/009700 vehicles affected

    Bolts securing the front suspension struts may fracture due to brittleness, which could cause loss of steering control. The original bolts will be replaced with quality assured bolts.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    POSSIBLE FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION BOLTS
    Defect
    The bolts securing the front suspension struts to the wheel bearing housings may fracture due to brittleness. This could lead to loss of steering control.
    Remedy
    Recall the affected vehicles and replace the original bolts with quality assured examples.

  6. Steering lock bolt may break

    Reported April 10, 1990Model years 1990NHTSA campaign 90V0700006,600 vehicles affected

    An improperly made steering lock bolt may break if force is applied to the locked steering wheel. The wheel could remain locked after turning the key, causing loss of steering control and a possible accident. Replace the steering lock assembly, including the modified bolt.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
    Defect
    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.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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