RecallMyCar

Audi 5000 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 50 owner complaints across 14 model years of the Audi 5000 (1978–1991). The most-complained-about year is 1986.

12
safety recalls, all years
50
owner complaints, all years
1986
year with most recalls
1986
year with most complaints

Pick your Audi 5000 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1991 Audi 500010
1990 Audi 500010
1989 Audi 500020
1988 Audi 500031
1987 Audi 5000411
1986 Audi 5000815
1985 Audi 5000714
1984 Audi 500054
1983 Audi 500041
1982 Audi 500032
1981 Audi 500031
1980 Audi 500031
1979 Audi 500030
1978 Audi 500030

What Audi 5000 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. The 1986 model year has the most, with 15.

All Audi 5000 recalls (12)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Audi 5000, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Axle assembly (power train)

    NHTSA 93V006000 Reported 152,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    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.

    Remedy: Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

  2. Fuel system, gasoline

    NHTSA 89V006000 Reported 35,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Fuel injection seals may harden, due to high temperature and alcohol in some fuels, and allow fuel to escape into the engine compartment.

    Remedy: Replace engines fuel injector seals with improved seals plus improvements designed to better insulate the engine against fire risk.

    Model years: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989

  3. Cruise control (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V170000 Reported 57,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Malfunctions of internal components of idle control unit could cause idle stabilizer valve to become activated outside its normal operating range.

    Remedy: Install latest specification idle control unit.

    Model years: 1984, 1985

  4. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V157000 Reported 25,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    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.

    Remedy: Install redesigned filler neck and a new vent valve and hose for charcoal filter. Also, stop refueling when pump nozzle shuts off.

    Model years: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988

  5. Caliper (service brakes)

    NHTSA 87V158000 Reported 16,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Certain rear brake calipers could bind and consequently overheat.

    Remedy: Requires inspection of brake calipers and replacement of calipers as necessary.

    Model years: 1986, 1987

  6. Floor shift (power train)

    NHTSA 87V008000 Reported 251,102 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Sudden acceleration from a stationary position may occur, when shifting from park to reverse or drive.

    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.

    Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

  7. Cruise control (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V009000 Reported 81,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The idle stabilizer may experience excessive wear, causing engine idle fluctuations, usually described as engine surge, which increase with usage of the car.

    Remedy: Replace idle stabilization valve.

    Model years: 1985, 1986

  8. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 86V113000 Reported 8,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    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.

    Remedy: Replace seat belts, as necessary.

    Model years: 1986

  9. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 86V103000 Reported 80,710 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    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.

    Remedy: Installation of an air filter modification kit to preclude fuel leaks.

    Model years: 1985, 1986

  10. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 85V099000 Reported 105,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Under adverse weather conditions, outer rubber layer of brake hoses may become brittle and develop cracks. Consequence of defect: cracks could lead to loss of brake fluid resulting in an increase in stopping distance and possibly an accident.

    Remedy: Replace brake hoses as necessary.

    Model years: 1983, 1984

  11. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 83V095000 Reported 117,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Certain vehicles were assembled with an insufficient height differential between the accelerator and brake pedals.

    Remedy: Dealer will install a brake pedal plate which will raise the brake pedal to the proper height.

    Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983

  12. Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 82V037000 Reported 92,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    On the involved vehicles, an improperly placed mat interferes with the vibration absorber attached to the underside of the accelerator. The pedal may not fully return to the idle position.

    Remedy: Dealer will install, where necessary, a guide for the accelerator pedal and inspect the entire throttle system.

    Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983

Other Audi models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.