The 1986 Audi 5000 has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 648,812 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 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.
FUEL INJECTION SEALS MAY HARDEN, DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE AND ALCOHOL IN SOME FUELS, AND ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR87V1580001987-10-0616,000 affected
Defect
CERTAIN REAR BRAKE CALIPERS COULD BIND AND CONSEQUENTLY OVERHEAT.
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.
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
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.
THE IDLE STABILIZER MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR, CAUSING ENGINE IDLE FLUCTUATIONS, USUALLY DESCRIBED AS ENGINE SURGE, WHICH INCREASE WITH USAGE OF THE CAR.
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.
POWER TRAIN87V0080001987-01-03251,102 affected
Defect
SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM A STATIONARY POSITION MAY OCCUR, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE.
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.
SEAT BELTS86V1130001986-08-188,000 affected
Defect
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…
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…
Remedy
INSTALLATION OF AN AIR FILTER MODIFICATION KIT TO PRECLUDE FUEL LEAKS.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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.…”
“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.…”
“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.…”
“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…”
“Engine wiring harness failed causing engine to lock up and damaged engine. *mjs”
“Wire harness self destructed, causing complete failure of the engine and electrical system. *ak”
“Fuel pump fails to pump sufficient gas to engine, causing it to stall. *dh”
Defect investigations
InvestigationC86001 Opened 1986-08-05 · closed 1989-07-11
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationDP86006 Opened 1986-03-19 · closed 1986-06-23
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
InvestigationEA92028 Opened 1992-08-03 · closed 1993-02-09
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Audi 5000 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.