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1986 Audi 5000Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 1986 Audi 5000, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 8 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls8Free fix at dealersOwner complaints155 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 14, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Audi 5000 has problems

15 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control43
Exterior lighting30
Fuel system, gasoline32
Electrical system31
Power train20
Tires10
Visibility10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

1986 Audi 5000 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Disc: caliper

Recall 87V-158 · Oct 6, 1987 · 16,000 vehicles

Risk. OVERHEATED CALIPERS COULD CAUSE BRAKE PEDAL TO FEELSPONGY AND COULD RESULT IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT BECOMING INOPERATIVE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
–no report yet

Lever and linkage: floor shift

Recall 87V-008 · Jan 3, 1987 · 251,102 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, CAUSING INJURIES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Recall 87V-009 · Jan 3, 1987 · 81,000 vehicles

Risk. ENGINE SURGE COULD ULTIMATELY SEE-SAW TO THE EXTEND THATLOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD BE EXPERIENCED IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED INTIME.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other 5000 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 5000 median. How we score

'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Audi 5000, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONC86001 · closed Jul 11, 1989
    No recall
  2. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONDP86006 · closed Jun 23, 1986
    No recall
  3. TRANSMISSION FAILURESEA92028 · closed Feb 9, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-006
In owners' words

What 5000 owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.…
Complaint 751705 · Sep 5, 2001
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…
Complaint 710716 · Aug 30, 1999

Own a 1986 5000?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.