1985 Audi 5000: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1
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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 12 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 2; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480410 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-006),CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481297 · 1995-02-21 (February 21, 1995)
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED TWICE, ONCE CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOCK UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481949 · 1995-02-11 (February 11, 1995)
IDLE SPEED CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481949 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 485221 · 1995-06-09 (June 9, 1995)
POWER MIRRORS FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485221 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 486456 · 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486456 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488784 · 1995-04-07 (April 7, 1995)
TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN REVERSE, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION/ACCIDENT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488784 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V103000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Reported: 1986-08-04 (August 4, 1986)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V008000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
Reported: 1987-01-03 (January 3, 1987)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM A STATIONARY POSITION MAY OCCUR, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE.
Consequence: UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, CAUSING INJURIES.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V009000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 1987-01-03 (January 3, 1987)
THE IDLE STABILIZER MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR, CAUSING ENGINE IDLE FLUCTUATIONS, USUALLY DESCRIBED AS ENGINE SURGE, WHICH INCREASE WITH USAGE OF THE CAR.
Consequence: ENGINE SURGE COULD ULTIMATELY SEE-SAW TO THE EXTEND THATLOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD BE EXPERIENCED IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED INTIME. THERE IS A RISK OF A COLLISION AND INJURY IN A CONFINED SPACE.
Remedy: REPLACE IDLE STABILIZATION VALVE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V157000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1987-10-06 (October 6, 1987)
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.
Consequence: ESCAPING VAPORS COULD IGNITE BY HEAT EMITTED BY THEEXHAUST SYSTEM.
Remedy: INSTALL REDESIGNED FILLER NECK AND A NEW VENT VALVE AND HOSE FOR CHARCOAL FILTER. ALSO, STOP REFUELING WHEN PUMP NOZZLE SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V170000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 1987-10-28 (October 28, 1987)
MALFUNCTIONS OF INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF IDLE CONTROL UNIT COULD CAUSE IDLE STABILIZER VALVE TO BECOME ACTIVATED OUTSIDE ITS NORMAL OPERATING RANGE.
Consequence: IDLE RPM MAY BECOME ERRATIC AND, IN SOMEINSTANCES,INCREASE.
Remedy: INSTALL LATEST SPECIFICATION IDLE CONTROL UNIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V006000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 1989-01-17 (January 17, 1989)
FUEL INJECTION SEALS MAY HARDEN, DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE AND ALCOHOL IN SOME FUELS, AND ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence: FUEL DRIPPING ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE ANENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE ENGINES FUEL INJECTOR SEALS WITH IMPROVED SEALS PLUS IMPROVEMENTS DESIGNED TO BETTER INSULATE THE ENGINE AGAINST FIRE RISK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V006000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly
Reported: 1993-01-11 (January 11, 1993)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗