1990 Audi V8 problems

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The Audi V8 (Typ 4C) is a four-door, full-size luxury sedan, designed, manufactured and marketed by Audi in Germany from 1988 to 1993, as the company's flagship. As the first car from Audi to use a V8 engine, also was the first Audi to combine a quattro system with an automatic transmission. Early cars used 3.6-litre V8s, while later cars featured a 4.2-litre version of the engine. The Audi V8 was replaced by the Audi A8 in 1994, although the A8 was not marketed in North America until 1996.

The competition model of the Audi V8 won back-to-back Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft driver's titles in 1990 and 1991, with the championship winners being Hans-Joachim Stuck and Frank Biela respectively. Audi was the first company to win back-to-back DTM titles.

Overview

Standard features for the Audi V8 included a 32-valve, double overhead camshaft (DOHC) V8 engine and a four-speed electronically controlled ZF 4HP24A automatic transmission providing Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. A five-speed (later in production six-speed) manual transmission was also available.

The Audi V8 had a galvanized steel body, with a 10-year anti-perforation warranty (against corrosion). The Audi V8 was specifically designed to be a top of the range 'flagship' car and included a number of luxury features as standard equipment, including leather seating and Audi's quattro all wheel drive system (see standard features list). The Audi V8 created a new elevated image for the company, providing a viable alternative to established competitors such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. In this regard, the car was a cornerstone in developing the history of the Audi marque as it is today.

Factory production commenced in October 1988, and ceased in November 1993, although sales of completed vehicles continued in 1994. It was replaced by the Audi A8 in 1994.

1990 Audi V8

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Common 1990 Audi V8 problems

The Audi V8 1990, a full-size luxury sedan, is known for its powerful V8 engine and Quattro all-wheel-drive system. However, like any car, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported.

One of the most common issues with the Audi V8 1990 is oil leaks. These leaks can be caused by a leaking valve cover gasket or rear main seal. Oil leaks not only reduce engine efficiency but can also be a fire hazard. Regular inspections can help catch these issues early on and prevent more serious problems from occurring.

Another issue that can arise with the Audi V8 1990 is cooling system problems. This can be caused by a faulty thermostat, water pump, or radiator. If the engine overheats, it can cause damage to the cylinder heads and other components. Regular maintenance and inspections can help catch these issues early on and prevent more serious problems from occurring.

Electrical issues can also be a problem with the Audi V8 1990. This can include problems with the power windows, climate control system, and other components. These issues can be difficult to diagnose and require the expertise of a qualified mechanic to repair.

In addition to these issues, the Audi V8 1990 can also experience problems with the fuel system. This can include fuel pump failure or clogged fuel injectors, which can reduce fuel efficiency and performance.

The second generation Audi V8, which was produced from 1991 to 1993, had its fair share of common issues and problems. One common issue with the second generation Audi V8 is the ignition control module. The module is responsible for regulating the spark timing in the engine, but can sometimes fail due to heat or vibration. Symptoms of a failing ignition control module include rough idling, engine misfires, and difficulty starting the engine. Replacement of the module is usually required to resolve the issue.

Another common issue with the second generation Audi V8 is oil leaks. Oil leaks can occur from a variety of locations, including the valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, and rear main seal. Symptoms of an oil leak include oil spots on the ground beneath the car, burning oil smells from the engine, and low oil levels. Repair of the oil leak will depend on the location of the leak, but typically involves replacement of the affected gasket or seal.

The automatic transmission in the second generation Audi V8 is also known to have issues. One common issue is a hard shift or delayed engagement when shifting gears. This can be caused by worn transmission fluid or a faulty valve body. Regular transmission fluid changes and replacement of the valve body can help alleviate the issue.

Finally, the ABS system in the second generation Audi V8 can experience issues with the ABS control module. Symptoms of a failing ABS control module include the ABS warning light illuminating on the dashboard and the ABS system not functioning properly. Replacement of the ABS control module is typically necessary to resolve the issue.

In summary, the Audi V8 1990 and its second generation have common issues with the engines, particularly the 3.6L and 4.2L engines, as well as issues with the timing belt, water pump, and oil leaks. Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and timing belt replacements, can go a long way in preventing engine damage. It is also important to seek out a trusted mechanic who is familiar with the Audi V8 and its specific issues. Despite these common issues, the Audi V8 remains a popular and sought-after car for its unique combination of power and luxury.

1990 Audi V8 engine

How good is Audi 4.2 V8 engine?

The Audi 4.2 V8 engine is a high-performance engine produced by the German automaker Audi. First introduced in the early 1990s, this engine quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional power, efficiency, and durability.

How much is a 1990 Audi V8 worth?

The value of a used 1990 Audi V8 ranges from $1,895 to $7,768, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.

What year did Audi stop making V8?

1993

In this regard, the car was a cornerstone in developing the history of the Audi marque as it is today. Factory production commenced in October 1988, and ceased in November 1993, although sales of completed vehicles continued in 1994.

What Audis came with the 4.2 V8?

The number 4.2 that we know and love today appeared as an option in the v8 quattro alongside the 3.6 liter motor which quietly folded. Away into the pages of history. These early 42 engines were used

How much is a 1990 Audi V8 worth?

The value of a used 1990 Audi V8 ranges from $1,895 to $7,768, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.

What year did Audi stop making V8?

1993

In this regard, the car was a cornerstone in developing the history of the Audi marque as it is today. Factory production commenced in October 1988, and ceased in November 1993, although sales of completed vehicles continued in 1994.

Which Audi has a V8 engine?

Audi R8 engine

The R8 is powered by a 3.6 L Audi V8 with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), which is a variation on the concept of gasoline direct injection developed by VW; it maximizes both power and fuel economy at the same time.

What cars use Audi 4.2 V8?

Audi 4.2 V8 Applications

These include the Audi S6, Audi S8, and Audi RS6. The Audi S6 featured a 4.2 V8 engine that produced 340 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the Audi S8 produced 360 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.

1990 Audi V8 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi V8 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Equipment problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Audi V8 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1990 Audi V8 complaints

The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Audi V8.

2006-10-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-08-10
  • VIN: WAUKE5440LN
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: REAR SPEAKERS MAKE NOISE UPON TURNING RADIO ON. NOISE INCLUDES HUM, HISSING, SQUEAL AND POOP NOISES. ACCORDING TO AUDI, THE SPEAKERS AND AMPLIFIERS IN MY CAR ARE THE ASME AS THOSE IN 1991 AND 1992 VERSIONS. 1991 AND 1992 CARS HAD A RECALL ON THESE BOSE SPEAKERS AS THE FAILURE CAN CUASE A FIRE. AUDI IS NOT EXTENDING THE SAME REPAIR TO MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE SYSTEMS ARE THE SAME AS ARE THE PROBLEMS
2004-04-05

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-03-27
  • VIN: WAUKE5441LN
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
2002-06-07

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-11-01
  • VIN: WAUKE5445LN
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE DOES NOT FIT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF RECALL 01V-324 DUE TO THE VIN, THE CONSUMER FEELS THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME RISK OF FAILURE AND FIRE.
2002-05-22

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-09-22
  • VIN: WAUKE544XLN
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
2002-01-14

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-11-15
  • VIN: WAUKE5447LN
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: NHTSA ALREADY HAS A DEFECT NOTED AS #01V324000 - THIS NOTICE IS TO ADVISE THE CONDITION EXISTS ON 1990 MODELS NOT JUST THE 1991 AS LISTED IN THE NHTSA REPORT. MY SPEAKERS HAVE FAILED JUST AS THE REPORT INDICATES CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. PLEASE ADD 1990 AS A YEAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.*AK
1998-10-27

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1991-11-01
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL THE SPEED REACHES 25 TO 30 MPH, THEN THE VEHICLE OPERATES CLOSE TO NORMAL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
1997-05-22

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WAUKE5445LN
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: THE ROTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY (10,000-15,000) MILES BECAUSE OF WARPING. BECAUSE OF THE WARPED ROTORS, WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING VIRBRATION. IN THE LAST 2 1/2 YEARS (3) SETS OF ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED A (4TH) TIME. *AK
1996-08-08

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-08-07
  • VIN: WAUKE5441LN
  • Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAED, HIT RESUME, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, APPLIED THE BRAKES REAL HARD TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK MECHANIC DISENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL ROD AND INFORMED CONSUMER THERE WAS A RECALL 96V084, CONSUMER IS ANGRY THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. *SLC

1990 Audi V8 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1990 Audi V8.

1997-10-06
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
  • Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
  • Consequence: 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.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
1996-05-10
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: A BUSHING WHICH GUIDES THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD CAN, OVER TIME, DETERIORATE AND CAUSE THE CONTROL ROD TO BIND.
  • Consequence: A BINDING CONTROL ROD CAN IMPEDE THE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE PLATE TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONTROL ROD BUSHING WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION.
1991-04-02
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
  • Summary: INSTRUCTION LABEL IN THE TRUNK OF VEHICLE IS INCORRECT FOR THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE.
  • Consequence: INCORRECT USE CAN RESULT IN THE JACK COLLAPSING, WITHINJURY TO INDIVIDUALS UNDER OR NEAR VEHICLE DURING COLLAPSE.
  • Remedy: SUPPLY INSERT TO OWNER'S MANUAL NOTING CORRECT USAGE, AS WELL AS A CORRECTED INSTRUCTION LABEL FOR THE TRUNK.

Positive 1990 Audi V8 car reviews

  1. Tre Kertzmann 2024-11-19

    This is the most reliable car I have ever owned. I love it!

  2. Harry West 2024-09-03

    This car has every option possible, except cupholders. It's excellent in all weather conditions thanks to the AWD system mated with a nice V8 that provides lots of grip and acceleration. I feel incredibly safe driving it, especially since it weighs 2 tons! I highly recommend this car to anyone! It was $50,000 new!

  3. Zachariah Murray 2024-04-10

    I recently bought a car on a whim and parked my 2001 Infiniti, forgetting all about it. Let me tell you, this new car is absolutely amazing!

  4. Harrison Morar 2024-03-02

    Great car! Comfortable, luxurious, and reliable for less than $5,000. It's perfect for winter mountain driving in the Rocky Mountains with its AWD and ABS. It's like a luxurious SUV without the high rollover potential!

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1990 Audi V8 problems:

Buying a 1990 V8 3.6, what are common problems to look for ...
Buying a 1990 V8 3.6, what are common problems to look for ...
https://www.motorgeek.com/threads/buying-a-1990-v8-3-6-what-are-common-problems-to-look-for.45179/

Jan 25, 2012 ... I'm going to look at a 1990 Audi V8 3.6 auto later today and am wondering what are some of the common failure points on these cars to look out ...

2002 S6 reliability?
2002 S6 reliability?
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Dec 15, 2019 ... Auto Transmission>replace with manual>most reliable Audi ever... Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk. You didn't have any issues with yours? Why ...

1990 Audi V8 3.6 (PT) need engine diagrams or info?! | Automobiles ...
1990 Audi V8 3.6 (PT) need engine diagrams or info?! | Automobiles ...
https://www.motorgeek.com/threads/1990-audi-v8-3-6-pt-need-engine-diagrams-or-info.43383/

Oct 25, 2011 ... Buying a 1990 V8 3.6, what are common problems to look for? I'm going to look at a 1990 Audi V8 3.6 auto later today and am wondering what ...

About to get into a CPO 2014 RS5 - Common problems to look out for
About to get into a CPO 2014 RS5 - Common problems to look out for
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/777109-About-to-get-into-a-CPO-2014-RS5-Common-problems-to-look-out-for

Aug 11, 2017 ... It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Audizine Family today! If you're new to forums in general, be sure to check out the Forum ...

Common problems Discovery 3 4.4V8 : r/LandRover
Common problems Discovery 3 4.4V8 : r/LandRover
https://www.reddit.com/r/LandRover/comments/1bbwsuv/common_problems_discovery_3_44v8/

Mar 11, 2024 ... Common problems Discovery 3 4.4V8. Buying ... 1990 4x4 not engaging. 3 upvotes · 6 comments ... r/Audi icon. r/Audi · A4 3.0 TDI EA896 Sleeper.

Other years of Audi V8

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V8 1991
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audi v8 1990 photo
V8 1990
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