The most-reported V8 run is WAUKE54CXMN (1991 builds) with 1 complaints, 1× the typical run. Vehicle speed control problems make up 50% of reports; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for V8 model years 1991–1993.
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 V8 has 2 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 100% of every V8 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAUKE54CXMN•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| WAUBW84C9PN•••••• | 1992 | — | — |
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 50% of everything Audi V8 owners report: Vehicle Speed Control, 1 of 2 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | — | — | |
| Equipment | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the Audi V8; the 4 below cover build years 1991 to 1993. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 97V172000 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive | 1991–1993 |
| 01V324000 | Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc. | 1991–1992 |
| 96V084000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1991 |
| 91V050000 | Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift | 1991 |
97V172000 was opened in 1997 on cars built from 1991: 6 years on the road before the recall.
The V8 against its rivals
The V8 draws 1 complaints per production run; the BMW 535i 2.1 and the Chrysler LeBaron 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi V8 | 2 | 2 | 0% | |
| BMW 535i | 286 | 134 | 4.9% | |
| Chrysler LeBaron | 484 | 321 | 10.7% |
How serious were they
| Outcome | Audi V8 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 0 (0%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 100% below the all-vehicle rate.
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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 V8 share of that is 2 complaints over 2 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Audi V8 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2 NHTSA complaints from 2 V8 runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which V8 production run has the most complaints?
WAUKE54CXMN, a 1991 build, with 1 complaints. The typical V8 run has 1.
Does the V8 get more complaints than the BMW 535i?
No: 1 complaints per production run for the V8 against 2.1 for the BMW 535i.
How many V8 complaints involve a crash?
0% of 2 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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