Audi 5000 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
145,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1978 to 1991 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 34 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 14.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 11.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 3 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 3 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: 3; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 3; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 32 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 18; 1996: 10; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10187362 · 2007-04-09 (April 9, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1980 AUDI 5000 DIESEL AND PURCHASED A SURE START BATTERY #SSB4972, WHICH DID NOT HAVE THE PLASTIC SAFETY GUARD ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. THE AUTO STORE WAS SELLING THE BATTERIES TO EVERYONE WITHOUT THE PLASTIC SAFETY GUARD WHICH THEY WERE TAKING OFF AND THROWING AWAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502189 · 1996-03-03 (March 3, 1996)
ELECTRICAL WINDOWS FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489383 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)
TRANSMISSION REBUILT DUE TO LINKAGE FAILURES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485960 · 1995-07-10 (July 10, 1995)
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM LEAK CAUSES LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, AND TRANSMISSION. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507682 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP 8 TIMES, ALSO REPLACED POWER BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484377 · 1995-07-02 (July 2, 1995)
BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505001 · 1996-05-27 (May 27, 1996)
FUEL PUMP FAILS TO PUMP SUFFICIENT GAS TO ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO STALL. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505001 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1978 | 3 |
| 1979 | 3 |
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 | 3 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
1978: 3; 1979: 3; 1980: 3; 1981: 3; 1982: 3; 1983: 4; 1984: 5; 1985: 7; 1986: 8; 1987: 4; 1988: 3; 1989: 2; 1990: 1; 1991: 1