1972 Audi 100 problems

Common 1972 Audi 100 problems

The Audi 100 LS, produced in 1972, is known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners and reports from various sources. These issues include:

• Reliability: The Audi 100 LS has a reputation for poor reliability, particularly in the United States. Consumer Reports rated the car as "much worse than average" for the 1972-1976 model years, with numerous complaints about various systems, such as engine mechanical, engine cooling, exhaust system, fuel system, ignition system, automatic transmission, air conditioning, brakes, and electrical system.

• Valve guides: One of the specific issues mentioned by owners and mechanics is the tendency for the valve guides to drop, which can lead to engine problems and require repairs.

• Smog equipment: The required smog equipment on US-spec 100 LS's may have contributed to the unreliability under the hood, as it added complexity and potential points of failure to the car's emissions system.

• Air conditioning: Many 100 LS's in the United States were equipped with air conditioning, which was still uncommon in Germany at the time. This added another layer of complexity to the car and potentially contributed to reliability issues.

• Road salt: The excessive road salt used in many northeastern locales in the United States wreaked havoc on the 100 LS's bodywork and other salt-vulnerable components, leading to corrosion and other problems.

• Mechanics' unfamiliarity: American mechanics were not well-equipped to handle the Audi's foreign (to them) layout. Many past owners recall sloppily-performed repairs, loose nuts and bolts, and other issues caused by unfamiliarity with the car's design and components.

• Engine mounting: The engine was mounted in a unique way, with the rubber mount bolted to the top of the engine bracket and the top of the mount bolted to the chassis bracket. If the rubber mount broke, the engine could literally fall out onto the ground, posing a significant safety hazard.

• Rusting problems: Many of the 30,000 units of the 100 Coupe S produced through 1976 no longer exist due to severe rusting problems, which affected many cars of the era.

• Maintenance: The Audi 100 LS required meticulous maintenance, particularly for the complex Solex carburetors, and neglecting this maintenance could lead to numerous issues.

In summary, the Audi 100 LS suffered from a range of reliability issues, including problems with its engine, emissions system, air conditioning, and mechanical components. These issues were often exacerbated by the car's unique design, unfamiliarity among American mechanics, and the harsh driving conditions in the United States.

Was Audi 100 a good car?

Audi 100 (1976 – 1984) At A Glance

Airy cabin, nice ergonomics and neat road manners marked it out as a very competent steer. And it was powered by the closest relative to Porsche's 924 'van' engine. However, the arrival of its inline five-cylinder engine in 1978 added some much needed charisma, and a fine soundtrack.

Why is the Audi 100 important?

The first Audi Coupé of the postwar era: The Audi 100 Coupé S had its actual market launch in 1970. Audi also used the 100 to show global buyers that the brand had really kicked its old Auto Union identity (Auto Union had became a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagenwerk AG in 1966).

How much horsepower does a 1972 Audi 100 Coupe S GT have?

Technical specifications

The car came with a 4-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 1871 cc and was initially equipped with two carburetors with power output of 115 hp. In 1972, it changed to a single carburetor with 112 hp output.

How many Audi 100 were made?

At the end of September 1977, the Audi 100 became the manufacturer's first model to reach a production level of 1,000,000 units.

Was Audi 100 a good car?

Audi 100 (1976 – 1984) At A Glance

Airy cabin, nice ergonomics and neat road manners marked it out as a very competent steer. And it was powered by the closest relative to Porsche's 924 'van' engine. However, the arrival of its inline five-cylinder engine in 1978 added some much needed charisma, and a fine soundtrack.

Why is the Audi 100 important?

1982--The Audi 100 is a world record-breaker because of the 0.30 drag coefficient. 1983--Audi becomes the first German manufacturer to receive a general operating permit for cars with catalytic-converter technology, which reduces the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine.

How many Audi 100 were made?

At the end of September 1977, the Audi 100 became the manufacturer's first model to reach a production level of 1,000,000 units.

Is Audi 100% owned by VW?

The question of who owns Audi and who makes Audi is simply answered with: The Volkswagen Auto Group. Although, technically speaking, Audi is public and partially owned by shareholders from across the world, including some Cedar Park drivers.

1972 Audi 100 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi 100 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1972 Audi 100 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.