AUDI 100 · model year

1994 AUDI 100

34 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994AUDI100 carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 100 is electrical system:ignition:switch with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 1994 100. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

34
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

34 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STEERING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT1

Recent Complaints

20121116ENGINE

COMPLETE ENGINE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 4 HOURS ON I-95 SOUTH. CAR STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY FOR ANOTHER 3 HOURS IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY AFTER SAME AMOUNT OF DRIVING TIME ON I-75, CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEM AND I REACHED DESTINATION AFTER ANOTHER 15 MINUTES. READOUT OF COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED TO PROPHYLACTICALLY REPLACE CAM SENSOR WHICH I DID. EFFECT REMAINS TO BE SEEN. RECOMMENDATION: CAR MANUFACTURERS MUST BE FORCED TO TAKE MEASURES TO PREVENT COMPLETE ENGINE SHUTDOWN FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN A DIRECT ENGINE FAILURE. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO SEVERE ACCIDENTS IF THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IN LANES WITH NO SHOULDER! IT IS BAD ENOUGH IF AN ENGINE FAILS BY ITSELF. A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SUCH INCIDENTS!!! *TR

Mileage: 95,000

20080709ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN, 87 YEARS YOUNG, WHO OWNS A 1994 AUDI 100. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. ACCORDING TO AUDI OF AMERICA, MY VEHICLE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED IN 1996 AT TYSON'S AUDI IN TYSONS CORNER, VA. MY CONCERN IS THIS. I AM EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LISTED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. THE DEALER TELLS ME MY PROBLEM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ISN'T THAT A BIT ODD? ARE IGNITION SWITCHES PARTS THAT USUALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED? HAVE OTHER OWNERS OF THE RECALL EXPERIENCED THAT SAME PROBLEM? WAS THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT A NEW TYPE/MODEL SWITCH? I CALLED AUDI OF AMERICA AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT MY CONCERN. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS. I THOUGHT IT BEST TO AT LEAST REGISTER A COMPLAINT. THANKS FOR YOU TIME! *TR

20080709ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN, 87 YEARS YOUNG, WHO OWNS A 1994 AUDI 100. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. ACCORDING TO AUDI OF AMERICA, MY VEHICLE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED IN 1996 AT TYSON'S AUDI IN TYSONS CORNER, VA. MY CONCERN IS THIS. I AM EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LISTED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. THE DEALER TELLS ME MY PROBLEM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ISN'T THAT A BIT ODD? ARE IGNITION SWITCHES PARTS THAT USUALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED? HAVE OTHER OWNERS OF THE RECALL EXPERIENCED THAT SAME PROBLEM? WAS THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT A NEW TYPE/MODEL SWITCH? I CALLED AUDI OF AMERICA AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT MY CONCERN. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS. I THOUGHT IT BEST TO AT LEAST REGISTER A COMPLAINT. THANKS FOR YOU TIME! *TR

20040917ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96V071000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE, BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

Mileage: 142,222

20031107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE IGNITION FREEZES IN THE START POSITION WHICH CAUSES DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V017000 CONCERNING IGNITION FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 149,000

20020605ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH / HEADLIGHTS/ RADIO/ POWER WINDOWS, AND ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES BEING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V017000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20020605ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH / HEADLIGHTS/ RADIO/ POWER WINDOWS, AND ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES BEING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V017000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20020605VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH / HEADLIGHTS/ RADIO/ POWER WINDOWS, AND ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES BEING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V017000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20020605ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH / HEADLIGHTS/ RADIO/ POWER WINDOWS, AND ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES BEING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V017000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20020605EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH / HEADLIGHTS/ RADIO/ POWER WINDOWS, AND ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES BEING INOPERABLE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V017000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20020514ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE CAR HAS STALLED OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE FIRST OCCURANCE DEALER REPLACED A RADIATOR SWITCH, AND TWO DAYS LATER VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN.*JB

20020514FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CONSUMER STATES THAT PRIOR TO RECALL ON THE FUEL LINE, THIS PROBLEM CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE IN THE ENGINE. *JG

20020110FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CONSUMER STATES THAT PRIOR TO RECALL ON THE FUEL LINE, THIS PROBLEM CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE IN THE ENGINE. *JG

20011130ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 96V017000. EXACT SAME DEFECT. SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT MY CAR, BUILT 9/93 WOULDN'T HAVE SAME SWITCH COMPONENT W/ SAME PROBLEM. BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED?? AUDI IGNORES ME. *AK

20011116ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE CAR HAS STALLED OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE FIRST OCCURANCE DEALER REPLACED A RADIATOR SWITCH, AND TWO DAYS LATER VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN.*JB

20010913ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AUDI ISSUED RECALL FOR SOME A6 MODELS ON FAILED IGNITION SWITCH. THE 1994 100S IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME CAR WITH PROBABLY SAME SWITCH. ACCORDING TO MY SHOP THEY HAVE SEEN TONS OF THESE. YET I HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE MY CAR IS A '94, INSTEAD OF 1995 AND 1996 MAKES NO SENSE.*AK

20010530FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V084000) CONSUMER HAD REPAIRS PERFORMED DUE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAVING A MAJOR FUEL LEAK, CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

19991130ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

19991130ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

19990409FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

ENGINE FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL. CONSUMER STATES PRIOR TO FIRE THERE WERE SEVERAL OCCASIONS OF RAW GASOLINE SMELL WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. ALSO STATES RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN INITIATED, HOWEVER RECALL WENT INTO EFFECT 3/99, OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION. (98V-332)

Compare 1994AUDI100 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 AUDI 100 have?
The 1994 AUDI 100 has 34 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 AUDI 100?
The most-complained component for the 1994 AUDI 100 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS.
Is the 1994 AUDI 100 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.