RoadVitals

1985 Audi 5000

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jun 3, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Mar 4, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Audi 5000, most frequently naming the transmission, powertrain (other) and steering categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission520.8%
  • Powertrain (other)416.7%
  • Steering312.5%
  • Body & structure28.3%
  • Brakes28.3%
  • Engine28.3%
  • Visibility28.3%
  • Electrical14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96E006000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 4, 1996
414 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES HAVE INADEQUATE CRIMPS ATTACHING THE HOSE TO THE HOSE FITTINGS AND COULD CAUSE THE HOSE AND FITTING TO SEPARATE.
The risk: IF THE BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES, LOSS OF BRAKING POWER CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: THESE BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
EIS BRAKE PARTSView on NHTSA.gov
93V006000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Jan 11, 1993
152,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
89V006000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Jan 17, 1989
35,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL INJECTION SEALS MAY HARDEN, DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE AND ALCOHOL IN SOME FUELS, AND ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The risk: FUEL DRIPPING ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE ANENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE ENGINES FUEL INJECTOR SEALS WITH IMPROVED SEALS PLUS IMPROVEMENTS DESIGNED TO BETTER INSULATE THE ENGINE AGAINST FIRE RISK.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

C86001ClosedInvestigation

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Aug 5, 1986
Closed Jul 11, 1989

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA86015ClosedEngineering Analysis

HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS

Opened May 30, 1986
Closed Sep 26, 1989

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA86016ClosedEngineering Analysis

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened May 30, 1986
Closed Aug 18, 1986

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DP86006ClosedDefect Petition

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Mar 19, 1986
Closed Jun 23, 1986

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2002

RADIATOR COOLING FAN SHORTS OUTS AFTER ACCUMULATING MANY MILES. WIRING TO FAN BURNED OUT COMPLETELY. THE AFFECT TO VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED . PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010943
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 1998
2 injuries reported

DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
537424
Incident
Dec 30, 1994
Transmission
Filed Mar 23, 1998

TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
501099
Incident
Feb 5, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Sep 10, 1996

DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS, NO MANUAL RELEASE BUTTON, CAN OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID
800789
Incident
Aug 10, 1996
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Aug 15, 1996

CONSUMER PARKED CAR AND LOCKED DOOR WITH CHILD IN CAR, CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE POWER LOCK WOULDN'T UNLOCK, HAD TO PLAY WITH LOCK ABOUT ONE HOUR AND THE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE .**AK

NHTSA ID
800931
Incident
Jun 23, 1996
Transmission
Filed Aug 30, 1995

RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE OWNER IS SEEKING REIMBURSTMENT. TT

NHTSA ID
971286
Incident
May 10, 1995
Steering
Filed Jul 10, 1995

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM LEAK CAUSES LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, AND TRANSMISSION. *DH

NHTSA ID
485960
Incident
May 1, 1993
BrakesElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Jul 2, 1995

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD

NHTSA ID
484377
Incident
Jul 2, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi 5000 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1991012—
1990011—
1989021—
1988131—
1987114159.0
1986159367.2
1985Viewing148569.4
1984464—
1983152—
1982232—
1981132—
1980132—
1979032—
1978032—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.