IllustrationRADIATOR COOLING FAN SHORTS OUTS AFTER ACCUMULATING MANY MILES. WIRING TO FAN BURNED OUT COMPLETELY. THE AFFECT TO VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED . PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
1985 Audi 5000
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 5000 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reportsDIFFERENTIAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS, NO MANUAL RELEASE BUTTON, CAN OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *AK
CONSUMER PARKED CAR AND LOCKED DOOR WITH CHILD IN CAR, CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE POWER LOCK WOULDN'T UNLOCK, HAD TO PLAY WITH LOCK ABOUT ONE HOUR AND THE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE .**AK
RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE OWNER IS SEEKING REIMBURSTMENT. TT
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM LEAK CAUSES LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, AND TRANSMISSION. *DH
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *DH
DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AW
Official recalls
793V006000 · Power Train:axle Assembly
Jan 11, 1993
THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL OF THE TRANSAXLE IS LOST OVER TIME DUE TO EVAPORATION. LOW OIL LEVELS CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING AND GEAR WEAR AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE, THE VEHICLE'S DRIVE WHEELS COULDLOSE POWER. IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCK, CAUSING RAPIDDECELERATION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.
89V006000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Jan 17, 1989
FUEL INJECTION SEALS MAY HARDEN, DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE AND ALCOHOL IN SOME FUELS, AND ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL DRIPPING ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE ANENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE ENGINES FUEL INJECTOR SEALS WITH IMPROVED SEALS PLUS IMPROVEMENTS DESIGNED TO BETTER INSULATE THE ENGINE AGAINST FIRE RISK.
87V170000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
Oct 28, 1987
MALFUNCTIONS OF INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF IDLE CONTROL UNIT COULD CAUSE IDLE STABILIZER VALVE TO BECOME ACTIVATED OUTSIDE ITS NORMAL OPERATING RANGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IDLE RPM MAY BECOME ERRATIC AND, IN SOMEINSTANCES,INCREASE.
Remedy: INSTALL LATEST SPECIFICATION IDLE CONTROL UNIT.
87V157000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Oct 6, 1987
REPEATED TOPPING OFF OF FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING REDUCES THE EXPANSION SPACE WITHIN THE TANK ALLOWING VAPORS TO ESCAPE FROM THE CHARCOAL FILTER TO OUTSIDE RATHER THAN BEING INDUCTED INTO THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ESCAPING VAPORS COULD IGNITE BY HEAT EMITTED BY THEEXHAUST SYSTEM.
Remedy: INSTALL REDESIGNED FILLER NECK AND A NEW VENT VALVE AND HOSE FOR CHARCOAL FILTER. ALSO, STOP REFUELING WHEN PUMP NOZZLE SHUTS OFF.
87V008000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Jan 3, 1987
SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM A STATIONARY POSITION MAY OCCUR, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, CAUSING INJURIES.
Remedy: INSTALL AN AUTOMATIC SHIFT LOCK TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE UNLESS BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME.
87V009000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
Jan 3, 1987
THE IDLE STABILIZER MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR, CAUSING ENGINE IDLE FLUCTUATIONS, USUALLY DESCRIBED AS ENGINE SURGE, WHICH INCREASE WITH USAGE OF THE CAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ENGINE SURGE COULD ULTIMATELY SEE-SAW TO THE EXTEND THATLOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD BE EXPERIENCED IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED INTIME. THERE IS A RISK OF A COLLISION AND INJURY IN A CONFINED SPACE.
Remedy: REPLACE IDLE STABILIZATION VALVE.
86V103000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Aug 4, 1986
MISADJUSTMENT OF FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ALLOWS FUEL TO ESCAPE AND BE ABSORBED BY THE AIR FILTER. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: WITH THE FUEL ABSORBED BY THE AIR FILTER AND AN ENGINE BACKFIRE ON RESTART, THIS FUEL COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: INSTALLATION OF AN AIR FILTER MODIFICATION KIT TO PRECLUDE FUEL LEAKS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5C86001 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened Aug 5, 1986 · Closed Jul 11, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA86015 · Hydraulic Fluid Leaks
Opened May 30, 1986 · Closed Sep 26, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA86016 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened May 30, 1986 · Closed Aug 18, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
DP86006 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened Mar 19, 1986 · Closed Jun 23, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
EA85037 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jul 31, 1985 · Closed Dec 23, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
SUMMARY:AUDI IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (86V-103)TO PREVENT FIRES WHICH HAVE STARTED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TOSTART THE ENGINE.THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE 1984 MODELS.ANALYSIS:THE RECALL CAMPAIGN APPEARS TO RESOLVE THE MAJOR CAUSE OF FIRESIN THE 1985 MODELS BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WHICH HAVEBEEN REPORTED IN 1984 MODELS. PROBLEMS IN 1984 MODELS APPEAR TO HAVEINVOLVED MOSTLY NEW LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES.STATUS: ANALYZING ADEQUACY OF RECALL.CLOSED DECEMBER 23, 1987.===
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
SUMMARY:AUDI IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (86V-103)TO PREVENT FIRES WHICH HAVE STARTED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TOSTART THE ENGINE.THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE 1984 MODELS.ANALYSIS:THE RECALL CAMPAIGN APPEARS TO RESOLVE THE MAJOR CAUSE OF FIRESIN THE 1985 MODELS BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WHICH HAVEBEEN REPORTED IN 1984 MODELS. PROBLEMS IN 1984 MODELS APPEAR TO HAVEINVOLVED MOSTLY NEW LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES.STATUS: ANALYZING ADEQUACY OF RECALL.CLOSED DECEMBER 23, 1987.===
Engine And Engine Cooling
SUMMARY:AUDI IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (86V-103)TO PREVENT FIRES WHICH HAVE STARTED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TOSTART THE ENGINE.THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE 1984 MODELS.ANALYSIS:THE RECALL CAMPAIGN APPEARS TO RESOLVE THE MAJOR CAUSE OF FIRESIN THE 1985 MODELS BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WHICH HAVEBEEN REPORTED IN 1984 MODELS. PROBLEMS IN 1984 MODELS APPEAR TO HAVEINVOLVED MOSTLY NEW LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES.STATUS: ANALYZING ADEQUACY OF RECALL.CLOSED DECEMBER 23, 1987.===