NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 1986 Audi 5000 and 15 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is vehicle speed control (4 reports), followed by electrical system (3). NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.
Problem: These brake hose assemblies have inadequate crimps attaching the hose to the hose fittings and could cause the hose and fitting to separate.
Risk: If the brake hose assembly separates, loss of braking power can occur increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: These brake hose assemblies will be replaced.
414 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.
152,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: Fuel injection seals may harden, due to high temperature and alcohol in some fuels, and allow fuel to escape into the engine compartment.
Risk: Fuel dripping onto hot engine components could cause anengine compartment fire.
Fix: Replace engines fuel injector seals with improved seals plus improvements designed to better insulate the engine against fire risk.
35,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Risk: Escaping vapors could ignite by heat emitted by theexhaust system.
Fix: Install redesigned filler neck and a new vent valve and hose for charcoal filter. Also, stop refueling when pump nozzle shuts off.
25,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: Certain rear brake calipers could bind and consequently overheat.
Risk: Overheated calipers could cause brake pedal to feelspongy and could result in one brake circuit becoming inoperative. Brakingability would be affected.
Fix: Requires inspection of brake calipers and replacement of calipers as necessary.
16,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: The idle stabilizer may experience excessive wear, causing engine idle fluctuations, usually described as engine surge, which increase with usage of the car.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Replace idle stabilization valve.
81,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: Sudden acceleration from a stationary position may occur, when shifting from park to reverse or drive.
Risk: Unexpected sudden acceleration without prior warningcould result in a vehicle crash, causing injuries.
Fix: 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.
251,102 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Fix: Replace seat belts, as necessary.
8,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Fix: Installation of an air filter modification kit to preclude fuel leaks.
80,710 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tires · May 14, 2008 · 200,000 miles · WA
Tl*the contact owns a 1986 audi 5000. The vehicle has michelin xm plus 300 tires (na). While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate and the contact heard loud flapping noises. The front passenger side tire lost approximately half of its tread, causing the driver to nearly lose control of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and…
Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 5, 2001 · MD · fire
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…
Electrical System · Sep 5, 2001 · MD · fire
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…
Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 5, 2001 · MD · fire
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…
Electrical System · Feb 3, 2000 · CA
Engine wiring harness failed causing engine to lock up and damaged engine. *mjs
Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 30, 1999 · CO · crash
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…
Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 29, 1999 · NJ · fire
Recall 89V006000, fuel injection seal has hardened due to high temperatures. Recall remedy did not correct the problem which caused the vehicle to catch on fire. Please give any further details. *ak
Electrical System · Apr 13, 1998 · CA
Wire harness self destructed, causing complete failure of the engine and electrical system. *ak
Fuel System, Gasoline · May 27, 1996 · NY
Fuel pump fails to pump sufficient gas to engine, causing it to stall. *dh
Exterior Lighting · Mar 26, 1996 · CA
While driving, low-high beam switch failure occurs, causing headlamp high beams to stay on continuously. *ak
Exterior Lighting · Mar 26, 1996 · CA
While driving, low/high beam switch failed, causing headlamp high beams to stay on continuously. *ak
Exterior Lighting · Mar 26, 1996 · CA
While driving, low/high beam switch failed, malfunction causing headlamp high beams to stay on continuously. *ak
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls covering the 1986 Audi 5000, the most recent one (96E006000) for service brakes, hydraulic. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are vehicle speed control (4), electrical system (3), exterior lighting (3).
Owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.
NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations that include this vehicle, most recently EA92028: Transmission failures.