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Audi 100 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 58 owner complaints on the Audi 100 from 49 production runs; the worst run has 3, the typical one 1.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 58 complaints · 49 runs · 1989–1994 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported 100 run is WAUEK84A0PN (1993 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.5× the typical run. Fuel system problems make up 18% of reports; 1993 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for 100 model years 1989–1994.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi 100 has 49 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 19% of every 100 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Audi 100 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WAUEK84A0PN••••••19933——
WAUDJ84AXRN••••••19942——
WAUBC5444LN••••••19902——
WAUDJ84A5PN••••••19932—2
WAUCK84A4RN••••••19942——
WAUDJ84AXPN••••••19932——
WAUBJ54A3NN••••••19922——
WAUFJ54A9NN••••••19922——
WAUDB0442KN••••••19891——
WAUBC544XLN••••••19901——
WAUBC5442LN••••••19901——
WAUBC5440MN••••••19911——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 37 100 runs has 1 complaint or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi 100 the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 1993 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 1989 one 1.

FIG.02·Audi 100 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
19941.21311—
19931.316121
19921.214121
19911882
19901.343—
1989133—
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1993 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1989 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 18% of everything Audi 100 owners report: Fuel System, 12 of 58 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Audi 100 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Fuel System12—2
Gasoline12—2
Electrical System10——
Engine And Engine Cooling8—3
Power Train6——
Vehicle Speed Control61—
Equipment6——
Air Bags63—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 9 recall campaigns on the Audi 100; the 6 below cover build years 1989 to 1994. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Audi 100 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
97V172000Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive1989–1993
93V006000Power Train:axle Assembly1989–1991
91V050000Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift1989–1991
00V084000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings1993–1994
98V332000Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System1993–1994
01V324000Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.1991–1992
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

97V172000 was opened in 1997 on cars built from 1989: 8 years on the road before the recall.

The 100 against its rivals

The 100 draws 1.2 complaints per production run; the BMW 535i 2.1 and the Chrysler LeBaron 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 3.

FIG.05·Audi 100 VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Audi 10058491.26.9%
BMW 535i2861342.14.9%
Chrysler LeBaron4843211.510.7%
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 58 reports on the Audi 100, 6.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Audi 100 — complaint severity
OutcomeAudi 100All vehicles
Complaints filed581,115,966
Involved a crash4 (6.9%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire5 (8.6%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported458,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi 100 share of that is 58 complaints over 49 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.

Everything on the Audi 100
Recalls20 campaignsFuel economy19 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems102 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space37 cu ftWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1989–1994

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Audi 100 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 58 NHTSA complaints from 49 100 runs and 9 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which 100 production run has the most complaints?

WAUEK84A0PN, a 1993 build, with 3 complaints. The typical 100 run has 1.2.

Which 100 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1993 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 1989 lightest at 1.

Does the 100 get more complaints than the BMW 535i?

No: 1.2 complaints per production run for the 100 against 2.1 for the BMW 535i.

How many 100 complaints involve a crash?

6.9% of 58 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 5 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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