IllustrationDIFFERENTIAL FAILED.
1986 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: 1 of 15 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.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
Power Train complaints
2 reportsTRANSAXLE SEAL FAILED, RESULTING IN A LEAK PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. (93V-0060). *AK
Official recalls
893V006000 · 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.
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.
87V158000 · Service Brakes, Air:disc:caliper
Oct 6, 1987
CERTAIN REAR BRAKE CALIPERS COULD BIND AND CONSEQUENTLY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATED CALIPERS COULD CAUSE BRAKE PEDAL TO FEELSPONGY AND COULD RESULT IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT BECOMING INOPERATIVE. BRAKINGABILITY WOULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: REQUIRES INSPECTION OF BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACEMENT OF CALIPERS AS NECESSARY.
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.
86V113000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Aug 18, 1986
REAR OR FRONT RIGHT SEAT BELT LOCKS MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SEAT BELTS COULD SEPARATE IN EVENT OF HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION OR IMPACT AND THUS SUBJECT PASSENGERS TO INJURY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE SEAT BELTS, AS NECESSARY.
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
3EA92028 · Transmission Failures
Opened Aug 3, 1992 · Closed Feb 9, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
C86001 · 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
DP86006 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened Mar 19, 1986 · Closed Jun 23, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUDDEN ACCELERATION