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AUDI · vehicle model

AUDI 80

29 NHTSA complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 1988–1992.

Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Model years
5

The AUDI80 appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 29 consumer safety complaints and 0 recall campaigns across 5 model years (1988–1992). That averages roughly 6 complaints per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year. The filing-year histogram shows the timing of submitted reports, not a causal trend.

NHTSA has 9 investigation files tied to this model. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
19921
19912
199012
198910
19884

Complaint Filing Trend

NHTSA complaint volume by year filed (not model year).

4
’95
5
’96
7
’97
1
’98
6
’99
1
’00
4
’03
1
’07

Year filed (bar labels show the complaint count).

View all trending models →

Compare AUDI80 to Similar Vehicles

AUDI80 vs DODGECOLT VISTA → AUDI80 vs HYUNDAISANTA FE XL → AUDI80 vs CHEVROLETC5500 → AUDI80 vs CHEVROLETSPARK EV →

NHTSA Investigations

EA22001Engineering AnalysisClosed2022-04-04

Engine Stall - Turbo Failure

PE21009Preliminary EvaluationClosed2021-03-29

Engine Stall - Turbo Failure

EA04017Engineering AnalysisClosed2004-06-30

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

PE04023Preliminary EvaluationClosed2004-03-05

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

EA03025Engineering AnalysisClosed2003-11-25

DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRE

PE03035Preliminary EvaluationClosed2003-07-25

DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD FIRE

DP87007Defect PetitionClosed1986-12-16

1980 AUDI 5000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION

DP87002Defect PetitionClosed1986-10-30

1979-86 AUDI 4000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION

EA85037Engineering AnalysisClosed1985-07-31

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the AUDI 80?▼
The AUDI 80 has received 29 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 1988 to 1992, with 0 recalls. That averages about 6 complaints per model year.
What years of AUDI 80 are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the AUDI 80 from 1988 to 1992 (5 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the AUDI 80 have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many AUDI 80 model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common AUDI 80 complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the AUDI 80 are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my AUDI 80 has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. AUDI 80 totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.