Summary
The Audi 100 has 13 recalls spanning the 1975-1996 production run, with the most serious recent issue affecting 1995 models equipped with V6 engines, where an internal fuel injector seal can fail, leak fuel into the engine compartment, and start a fire.
The 1996 model year has a defective ignition switch that can cause turn signals, windshield wipers, lights, power windows, and air conditioning to stop working when the engine is started. On 1994 and 1993 models, the fuel feed line connecting the fuel filter to the engine can leak fuel in the presence of an ignition source and cause a fire. The 1993 model also has an airbag sensor that can fail to meet durability standards and trigger an unintended airbag deployment, and a brake vacuum booster pump whose internal blades can wear prematurely, reducing braking assistance and extending stopping distances. The same brake booster issue affects 1992 models with automatic transmissions, along with a separate recall where fuel injectors can seep fuel into the engine compartment and raise the risk of fire. A rear speaker amplifier on 1992 vehicles contains a capacitor that can leak electrolyte and, with humidity present, create a conductive path that overheats the amplifier and poses a fire risk.
The 1991 model has two issues: the transaxle differential can gradually lose oil through evaporation, which leads to bearing and gear wear and eventual loss of drive power, and an incorrectly labeled trunk jack instruction card can lead to improper use and collapse of the jack while someone is near or under the vehicle. The 1990 model is missing the required vehicle capacity weight from the fuel filler door placard. Going back to the earliest production, 1975 models have a front exhaust pipe support bracket that can loosen, vibrate, and eventually wear through nearby fuel return lines.
