AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

1986 Audi 5000

Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Feb 1, 1995 to May 14, 2008.

Recalls (9)Complaints (15)Investigations (3)Bulletins (0)
Recall campaigns covering this model year9649k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints152.1 times the median 1986 sedan
Severity index26.7Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1986 Audi 5000 peaked in 1996, with 6 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

0246199561998200120042007201020132016201920222026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

27% of complaints about the 1986 Audi 5000 name speed control

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Speed control
4
Electrical system
3
Lighting
3
Fuel system
3
Powertrain
2
Tires
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

9 recall campaigns cover the 1986 Audi 5000

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 1986 Audi 5000
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
96E-006Mar 4, 1996These brake hose assemblies have inadequate crimps attaching the hose to the hose fittings and could cause the hose and fitting to separateBrakes414Part replacement
93V-006Jan 11, 1993Differential oil of the transaxle is lost over time due to evaporationPowertrain152,000Part replacement
89V-006Jan 17, 1989Fuel injection seals may harden, due to high temperature and alcohol in some fuels, and allow fuel to escape into the engine compartmentFuel system35,000Part replacement
87V-158Oct 6, 1987Certain rear brake calipers could bind and consequently overheatBrakes16,000Part replacement
87V-157Oct 6, 1987Repeated topping off of fuel tank during refueling reduces the expansion space within the tank allowing vapors to escape from the charcoal filter…Fuel system25,000Repair or modification
87V-009Jan 3, 1987Idle stabilizer may experience excessive wear, causing engine idle fluctuations, usually described as engine surge, which increase with usage of…Speed control81,000Part replacement
87V-008Jan 3, 1987Sudden acceleration from a stationary position may occur, when shifting from park to reverse or drivePowertrain251,102Repair or modification
86V-113Aug 18, 1986Rear or front right seat belt locks may not properly engageSeat belts8,000Part replacement
86V-103Aug 4, 1986Misadjustment of fuel distributor allows fuel to escape and be absorbed by the air filterFuel system80,710Repair or modification
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1986 Audi 5000

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

15 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed May 14, 2008Failure Apr 1, 2008200,000 milesSeattle, WATread/belt

    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 REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VIN AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,100. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10227801
  2. Filed Sep 5, 2001Failure Aug 31, 2001Stevensville, MDFront underhood, Fuel system, Fuel injection system, Accelerator pedalFire

    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 WORKING 15 MINUTES AND MY MANAGER SAID CAR WAS ON FIRE...FLAMES UNDERHOOD ABOUT 20 FEET IN THE AIR...BURNED CAR NEXT TO IT TOO. FIRE DEPARTMENT, PUT OUT, MILLERSVILLE, MD HQS DEPT. SAID STARTED IN ENGINE, SO BAD BURNT AND MELTED HARD TO TELL WHAT FAILED. I HAD NO FIRE INSURANCE ON CAR. ANY RECOURSE AGAINST AUDI? PLEASE ADVISE. I HAD JUST SPENT $3,000 IN REPAIRS ON CAR...SEAT, CRUISE, EXHUAST, TUNE UP, INJECTORS...AT LOCAL SHOPS. I AM SICK...WAS PLANNING TO ADD COMPREHENSIVE,BUT HAD TO TAKE TO GEICO FOR INSPECTION FIRST. MOREOVER, I LIVE IN CONDO, WITH GARAGE, 4 FAMILY UNIT, HAD BEEN PARKING IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT...A FEW HOURS LATER WE MIGHT HAVE ALL BEEN KILLED OR INJURED...WHOLE PLACE IS WOOD FRAME. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR/OWNER WHO TOWED CAR TO HIS SHOP, SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE IN THIS MODEL MANY TIMES...HE SAID CAR WILL BE THERE TO INSPECT FOR A FEW WEEKS...THE JUNKED.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 751705
  3. Filed Feb 3, 2000Failure May 10, 1997LOS Angeles, CAFront underhood

    ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK UP AND DAMAGED ENGINE. *MJS

    NHTSA complaint 550691
  4. Filed Aug 30, 1999Failure Aug 28, 1999Littleton, COVehicle speed controlCrash

    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 AUDI 5000 MODELS. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS CAR? IS IT SAFE TO CONTINUE TO USE?

    NHTSA complaint 710716
  5. Filed Jul 29, 1999TOM River, NJFuel system, Fuel injection systemFire

    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

    NHTSA complaint 843710
  6. Filed Apr 13, 1998Failure Nov 5, 1996LOS Angele, CAFront underhood

    WIRE HARNESS SELF DESTRUCTED, CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 534042
  7. Filed May 27, 1996Failure Mar 27, 1996Bronx, NYFuel system, Fuel pump

    FUEL PUMP FAILS TO PUMP SUFFICIENT GAS TO ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO STALL. *DH

    NHTSA complaint 505001
  8. Filed Mar 26, 1996Carlsbad, CAHigh/low beam dimmer switch

    WHILE DRIVING, LOW-HIGH BEAM SWITCH FAILURE OCCURS, CAUSING HEADLAMP HIGH BEAMS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 981230
  9. Filed Mar 26, 1996Carlsbad, CAHigh/low beam dimmer switch

    WHILE DRIVING, LOW/HIGH BEAM SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING HEADLAMP HIGH BEAMS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 981229
  10. Filed Mar 26, 1996Carlsbad, CAHigh/low beam dimmer switch

    WHILE DRIVING, LOW/HIGH BEAM SWITCH FAILED, MALFUNCTION CAUSING HEADLAMP HIGH BEAMS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 981228
  11. Filed Jan 30, 1996Failure Jan 1, 1995Hallandale, FLDifferential unit

    DIFFERENTIAL FAILED.

    NHTSA complaint 500920
  12. Filed Jan 2, 1996Failure Jan 2, 1996Jaffrey, NHWindshield

    LOCATION OF BUBBLES IN FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS, IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 490989
  13. Filed Jul 26, 1995Failure Jul 1, 1995Reistersto, MDAxle assembly

    TRANSAXLE SEAL FAILED, RESULTING IN A LEAK PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. (93V-0060). *AK

    NHTSA complaint 484663
  14. Filed May 11, 1995Failure Apr 29, 1995Houston, TXVehicle speed controlCrash2 injured

    SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/2 ACCIDENTS/INJURIES. *SKD

    NHTSA complaint 486120
  15. Filed Feb 1, 1995Failure Feb 1, 1995Dahlgeran, VAVehicle speed control

    SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. TT

    NHTSA complaint 959411
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

3 NHTSA investigations on file

  • EA92028 Engineering analysis, Powertrain
    TRANSMISSION FAILURES
    Opened Aug 3, 1992, closed Feb 9, 1993 · led to a recall
  • C86001 Investigation, Speed control
    SUDDEN ACCELERATION
    Opened Aug 5, 1986, closed Jul 11, 1989
  • DP86006 Defect petition, Speed control
    SUDDEN ACCELERATION
    Opened Mar 19, 1986, closed Jun 23, 1986
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

No manufacturer communications on file

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins