The Audi 200 spans 1989–1991 with 11 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1991, 1989, 1990 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1990, 1989, 1991. It delivers up to 19 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi 200 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1989 to 1991 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi 200 VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi 200 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 200.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 200, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi 200 have?
The Audi 200 has 11 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1989–1991. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1991 Audi 200 recalls 4
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Risk. 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.
Fix. Dealers will replace the air bag sensor control module.
Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift
What's wrong. Instruction label in the trunk of vehicle is incorrect for the jack supplied with the vehicle.
Risk. Incorrect use can result in the jack collapsing, withinjury to individuals under or near vehicle during collapse.
Fix. Supply insert to owner's manual noting correct usage, as well as a corrected instruction label for the trunk.
Power Train:axle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An electrolytic capacitor contained in the amplifier for each rear speaker could leak an electrolyte, which may in time and in the presence of humidity, cause an unwanted conductive path.
Risk. This condition could result in the amplifier overheating and a potential fire risk.
Fix. Dealers will replace the amplifiers for the rear speaker assemblies. Owner notification began july 10, 2002. 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.
1990 Audi 200 recalls 4
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Risk. 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.
Fix. Dealers will replace the air bag sensor control module.
Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift
What's wrong. Instruction label in the trunk of vehicle is incorrect for the jack supplied with the vehicle.
Risk. Incorrect use can result in the jack collapsing, withinjury to individuals under or near vehicle during collapse.
Fix. Supply insert to owner's manual noting correct usage, as well as a corrected instruction label for the trunk.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. The vehicle capacity weight was inadvertently omitted from placard located inside the gas filler door, as required by fmvss 11o.
Risk. Vehicles fail to meet the requirements of fmvss 110.
Fix. New labels containing the vehicle capacity weight will be affixed to the vehicles.
Power Train:axle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.
1989 Audi 200 recalls 3
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some air bag sensors do not comply with audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Risk. 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.
Fix. Dealers will replace the air bag sensor control module.
Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift
What's wrong. Instruction label in the trunk of vehicle is incorrect for the jack supplied with the vehicle.
Risk. Incorrect use can result in the jack collapsing, withinjury to individuals under or near vehicle during collapse.
Fix. Supply insert to owner's manual noting correct usage, as well as a corrected instruction label for the trunk.
Power Train:axle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.
Best and worst years for the Audi 200
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 3 tracked years, the worst years are 1991, 1989, 1990 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1990, 1989, 1991.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 200 | Exterior Lighting | Avoid | |
| 1990 200 | Vehicle Speed Control | Avoid | |
| 1991 200 | Equipment | Avoid |
What are the most common Audi 200 problems?
The most-reported Audi 200 problems are Air Bags (1 reports), Equipment (8 reports) and Hydraulic (1 reports) — out of 21 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Equipment 8 Read
Vehicle caught fire in a rear speaker, consumer is requesting reimbursement, stating that audi and the manufacturer of radio (bose) had knowledge of the problem, but failed to make anyone aware.*jb
A fire broke out in the rear compartment and was extinguised. The fire was started by and limited to the bose speaker.*ak
Rear speaker ignited while driving. The car filled entirely with black, acrid smoke by the time i pulled over. Was holding my breath while bringing car to a stop. Car went up in flames and is a total loss. Jacksonville fire department extinguished blaze, filed ccr#29200. Had car towed to key audi dealership in jacksonville, fl from scene of incident. Wrote audi of america 3 times, and numerous phone calls. They refused to send a representative to the dealership to investigate. *ak
Right rear speaker internal amplifier has a high occurance of failure where speaker assembly catches fire unexpectedly, filling passenger compartment with toxic smoke and possibly resulting in loss of control of the vehicle due to smoke; fire has spread inside trunk and passenger compartment in some cases. Audi of america has "researched internally" the problem and found nothing; i know of several vehicles with these problems and i am collecting more information from owners.
Rear speaker crackled and hissed. Progressively getting worse. Found out about recall and had them "fixed" by a dealer in danvers. Crackle and hissing stopped. Confirmed fire hazzard by other car owners with bose stereo speakers.*ak
Consumer concerned with the possibility of fire due to speaker noise (electrical problem). Nlm
The capacitor for the rear speaker amplifier will short out which could cause rear speaker to catch on fire. Defect is same as recall98v284000,. But this make and model was not included . *ak
Concerned about other audi owner reports of bose speaker failuers resulting in car fires, similar to recall 98v284000. *ak
Power Train 3 Read
Vehicle's differential went out resulting in accident.*mr the mechanic replaced the defective differential with a used one because of the age and mileage on the vehicle. The consumer called audi and gave them the vin and other information. He was then informed that there was no recall for his vehicle. Consumer felt this was incompetent or they lied. *ph
Transmission failed. *sd
Brake light system on effects steering and hydraulic system/ unknown speed broken speedometer/odometer. *ak
Engine And Engine Cooling 3 Read
Underhood fire occured on vehicle while traveling eb on lie. Engine cooling fan motor siezed, resulting in a uninterupted ground fault which burned all the wires in the main wiring harness. There was no circuit breaker or fuse provided in the wiring to prevent a groud fault from occuring. Audi upgraded subsuquent model years of this vehicle with a fuseable link on the ground side of the cooling fan motor, but failed to provide the upgrade to owners of 1984 thru 1989 vehicles. Complete destruction of the vehicle was prevented only by my ability to disconnect the battery cables in a rapid manner.
Water pump failed. *sd
Flywheel failed. *sd
Exterior Lighting 3 Read
Brake light system on effects steering and hydraulic system/ unknown speed broken speedometer/odometer. *ak
Poor performance on the head lights, can not see the road at night due to the headlights fogging. *ak
Electrical System 2 Read
Underhood fire occured on vehicle while traveling eb on lie. Engine cooling fan motor siezed, resulting in a uninterupted ground fault which burned all the wires in the main wiring harness. There was no circuit breaker or fuse provided in the wiring to prevent a groud fault from occuring. Audi upgraded subsuquent model years of this vehicle with a fuseable link on the ground side of the cooling fan motor, but failed to provide the upgrade to owners of 1984 thru 1989 vehicles. Complete destruction of the vehicle was prevented only by my ability to disconnect the battery cables in a rapid manner.
The wiring harness to the drivers door fails from flexing when the door is opened and closed - causing power windows and locks to activate intermittently and without warning. *tr
Vehicle Speed Control 2 Read
While driving with cruise control on, consumer went to disengage the cruise control and pressed the accelerator, vehicle suddenly accelerated to full throttle. To stop, vehicle had to be shut off while moving. Dealer has not been contacted. *ak
Cruise control set at 55 mph, car rpms increased out of control, car had to be placed in neutral and steered to side of road. Car was then undrivable, because of excessive rpm problem.
Service Brakes 1 Read
Front brake rotors continually warp. *dsh
Hydraulic 1 Read
Front brake rotors continually warp. *dsh
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi 200 specifications & dimensions
The 1991 Audi 200. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi 200 window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi 200 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 200 holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi 200 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi 200 get?
The Audi 200 returns up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,300/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1991 Audi 200 (2.2L 5-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $3,450/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $6,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 200 | 16 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.2L 5-cyl | |
| 1990 200 | 16 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.2L 5-cyl | |
| 1989 200 | 16 | 24 | $3,300 | 468 | — | 2.2L 5-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 200 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 200's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi 200 have? Power & range
The Audi 200 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.2L 5-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-cyl | 2.2L · 5-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Audi 200 cost to own?
A Audi 200 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used 200 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 200 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 200 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Audi 200 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 200 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Audi 200 last?
A well-maintained Audi 200 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Audi 200’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 200’s VIN free →All Audi 200 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi 200 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 200 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 1990 200 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 1989 200 | 3 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 200?
By owner-complaint volume, 1991, 1989, 1990 drew the most reports. 1990, 1989, 1991 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 200 have?
11 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1989–1991. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the 200 get?
Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 200 last?
A well-maintained 200 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 200 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 200 is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi 200 warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi 200 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 200's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the 200 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.