1986 Audi 5000: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
200,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 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 | 1 |
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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 5; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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 10227801 · 2008-05-14 (May 14, 2008)
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. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484663 · 1995-07-26 (July 26, 1995)
TRANSAXLE SEAL FAILED, RESULTING IN A LEAK PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. (93V-0060). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486120 · 1995-05-11 (May 11, 1995)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/2 ACCIDENTS/INJURIES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490989 · 1996-01-02 (January 2, 1996)
LOCATION OF BUBBLES IN FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS, IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490989 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 ↗
Owner report 550691 · 2000-02-03 (February 3, 2000)
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK UP AND DAMAGED ENGINE. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751705 · 2001-09-05 (September 5, 2001)
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 HQ…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959411 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959411 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 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 ↗86V113000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1986-08-18 (August 18, 1986)
REAR OR FRONT RIGHT SEAT BELT LOCKS MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SEAT BELTS COULD SEPARATE IN EVENT OF HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION OR IMPACT AND THUS SUBJECT PASSENGERS TO INJURY.
Remedy: REPLACE SEAT BELTS, AS NECESSARY.
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 ↗87V158000 · Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 1987-10-06 (October 6, 1987)
CERTAIN REAR BRAKE CALIPERS COULD BIND AND CONSEQUENTLY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATED CALIPERS COULD CAUSE BRAKE PEDAL TO FEELSPONGY AND COULD RESULT IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT BECOMING INOPERATIVE. BRAKINGABILITY WOULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: REQUIRES INSPECTION OF BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACEMENT OF CALIPERS AS NECESSARY.
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 ↗