The 1987 Audi 5000 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 228,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 6, 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.
Complaints by component
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
2
2crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
1
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
1crashes
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Consumer was traveling about 45mph and brakes developed a violent shaking and vibration. Also, upon applying brakes consumer saw smoke coming from the steering wheel, it was very hot. *ak”
“Consumer was traveling about 45mph and brakes developed a violent shaking and vibration. Also, upon applying brakes consumer saw smoke coming from the steering wheel, it was very hot. *ak”
“Consumer was driving approximately 20mph when the axle assembly gave way. Consumer lost all power. The wheels did not lock up. There is a recall for power train axle assembly mandated in 1993. Consumer had recall repairs done on 5-5-93 at 48,651 miles, but never experienced the defect until now. *ak”
“Heat exchanger blew causing overflow of hot water to spill into front seats of vehicle.”
“Sticking accelerator, causing vehicle to accelerate. *ak”
“Ignition switch failed.”
“Sunvisor comes down unexpectedly, obstructing view. (1st vehicle on 602405)”
“When making a turn the car went one way when the wheel was turned another. The steering column broke and the car hit a barrier. Please describe. Tt”
Defect investigations
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 1987 Audi 5000 as of
July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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