The 1985 Audi 4000 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 177,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN93V0060001993-01-11152,000 affected
Defect
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
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.
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF IDLE STABILIZER COULD CAUSE IDLE FLUCTUATIONS.
Consequence
IDLE FLUCTUATIONS COULD RESULT IN UNSATISFACTORYDRIVEABILITY.
Remedy
REPLACE IDLE STABILIZER.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
1
1fires
Total complaints5
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Fuel pump broke, causing vehicle to catch on fire while going 60mph on highway. Vehicle wouldn't downshift, and accelerator pedal failed. Also, battery light illuminated just before vehicle stalled at the stop sign.*ak”
“Fuel pump broke, causing vehicle to catch on fire while going 60mph on highway. Vehicle wouldn't downshift, and accelerator pedal failed. Also, battery light illuminated just before vehicle stalled at the stop sign.*ak”
“Fuel pump broke, causing vehicle to catch on fire while going 60mph on highway. Vehicle wouldn't downshift, and accelerator pedal failed. Also, battery light illuminated just before vehicle stalled at the stop sign.*ak”
“Fuel pump broke, causing vehicle to catch on fire while going 60mph on highway. Vehicle wouldn't downshift, and accelerator pedal failed. Also, battery light illuminated just before vehicle stalled at the stop sign.*ak”
“Fuel pump broke, causing vehicle to catch on fire while going 60mph on highway. Vehicle wouldn't downshift, and accelerator pedal failed. Also, battery light illuminated just before vehicle stalled at the stop sign.*ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP87002 Opened 1986-10-30 · closed 1987-06-05
1979-86 AUDI 4000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION
1979-86 AUDI 4000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION
InvestigationEA92016 Opened 1992-05-29 · closed 1993-06-30
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA92028 Opened 1992-08-03 · closed 1993-02-09
TRANSMISSION FAILURES
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE92006 Opened 1992-01-17 · closed 1992-05-29
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Audi 4000 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.