The 1988 Audi 90 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 152,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN93V0060001993-01-11152,000 affected
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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Heater core failed as vehicle wa sentering gas station, windshield became fogged up and driver's right foot was burned by hot coolant. *ak”
“When the brakes are applied the brakes lose pressure and go to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. The dealer has not been notified. *ak”
“The anti-theft locking mechanism that engages when the vehicle is shut off, sometimes engages while driving, causing steering to malfunction.the dealer has been contacted. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Audi 90 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.