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1986 Audi 5000

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed ControlFire

ON WAY TO WORK, PASSED CAR, PUT PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT STUCK THERE, UNTIL TAPPED WITH FOOT, THANK GOD, BUT WHEN I GOT TO WORK, CAR IDLED UP AND DOWN, ERRATIC, BETWEEN 10,000 AND 20,000 RPMS. TURNED OFF ENGINE, NO NOISE, NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. RESTARTED OK, STILL IDLED FUNNY. TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED A MINUTE, NO NOISE, NO W…

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ON WAY TO WORK, PASSED CAR, PUT PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT STUCK THERE, UNTIL TAPPED WITH FOOT, THANK GOD, BUT WHEN I GOT TO WORK, CAR IDLED UP AND DOWN, ERRATIC, BETWEEN 10,000 AND 20,000 RPMS. TURNED OFF ENGINE, NO NOISE, NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. RESTARTED OK, STILL IDLED FUNNY. TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED A MINUTE, NO NOISE, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO SMOKE. INSIDE NWA BUILDING WORKING 15 MINUTES AND MY MANAGER SAID CAR WAS ON FIRE...FLAMES UNDERHOOD ABOUT 20 FEET IN THE AIR...BURNED CAR NEXT TO IT TOO. FIRE DEPARTMENT, PUT OUT, MILLERSVILLE, MD HQS DEPT. SAID STARTED IN ENGINE, SO BAD BURNT AND MELTED HARD TO TELL WHAT FAILED. I HAD NO FIRE INSURANCE ON CAR. ANY RECOURSE AGAINST AUDI? PLEASE ADVISE. I HAD JUST SPENT $3,000 IN REPAIRS ON CAR...SEAT, CRUISE, EXHUAST, TUNE UP, INJECTORS...AT LOCAL SHOPS. I AM SICK...WAS PLANNING TO ADD COMPREHENSIVE,BUT HAD TO TAKE TO GEICO FOR INSPECTION FIRST. MOREOVER, I LIVE IN CONDO, WITH GARAGE, 4 FAMILY UNIT, HAD BEEN PARKING IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT...A FEW HOURS LATER WE MIGHT HAVE ALL BEEN KILLED OR INJURED...WHOLE PLACE IS WOOD FRAME. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR/OWNER WHO TOWED CAR TO HIS SHOP, SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE IN THIS MODEL MANY TIMES...HE SAID CAR WILL BE THERE TO INSPECT FOR A FEW WEEKS...THE JUNKED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #751705

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

I STARTED THE CAR IN A DRIVEWAY, INTENDING TO BACK ONTO THE STREET. WHEN I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT TOP SPEED. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. I HAD 40 FEET OF SKID MARKS VISIBLE ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR WAS STOPPED BY IT'S IMPACT WITH A PARKED CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS TY…

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I STARTED THE CAR IN A DRIVEWAY, INTENDING TO BACK ONTO THE STREET. WHEN I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT TOP SPEED. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. I HAD 40 FEET OF SKID MARKS VISIBLE ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR WAS STOPPED BY IT'S IMPACT WITH A PARKED CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH 1986 AUDI 5000 MODELS. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS CAR? IS IT SAFE TO CONTINUE TO USE?

NHTSA ODI #710716

Mileage unknown · May 11, 1995
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/2 ACCIDENTS/INJURIES. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #486120

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1995
Vehicle Speed Control

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA ODI #959411

Official recalls

8

93V006000 · 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

3

EA92028 · 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