1985 Audi 5000 Problems

Complaints

14filed with NHTSA

Median mileage

—no mileage reported

Recalls

7campaigns on record

Trend

Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA crash rating

—overall rating starts with 2011 models

EPA fuel economy

17 mpgcombined, 2.1L 5-cyl FWD · 15 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Audi 5000 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1985 Audi 5000. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (64% of the total), followed by steering (3) and brakes (2). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the floor shift filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

• Transmission and drivetrain9 64%
• Steering3 21%
• Brakes2 14%
• Engine cooling2 14%
• Body and structure2 14%
• Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)2 14%
• Electrical system1 7.1%
• Latches, locks and linkages1 7.1%
• Suspension1 7.1%
• Vehicle speed control1 7.1%

Example complaints

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Recalls and investigations

• 93V006000Jan 11, 1993
  Power train › Axle assembly
  Covers: Audi 5000 1985–1991, 90 1985–1991, 100 1985–1991 +3 more

  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.

• 89V006000Jan 17, 1989
  Fuel system, gasoline
  Covers: Audi 5000 1984–1989, Quattro 1984–1989

  Fuel injection seals may harden, due to high temperature and alcohol in some fuels, and allow fuel to escape into the engine compartment.

• 87V170000Oct 28, 1987
  Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
  Covers: Audi 5000 1984–1985

  Malfunctions of internal components of idle control unit could cause idle stabilizer valve to become activated outside its normal operating range.

• 87V157000Oct 6, 1987
  Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
  Covers: Audi 5000 1984–1988

  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.

• 87V008000Jan 3, 1987
  Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
  Covers: Audi 5000 1978–1986

  Sudden acceleration from a stationary position may occur, when shifting from park to reverse or drive.

• 87V009000Jan 3, 1987
  Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
  Covers: Audi 5000 1985–1986

  The idle stabilizer may experience excessive wear, causing engine idle fluctuations, usually described as engine surge, which increase with usage of the car.

See all 7 recalls for the 1985 Audi 5000 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

• C86001Sudden accelerationClosed · Aug 5, 1986
• EA86015Hydraulic fluid leaksClosed · May 30, 1986
• EA86016Sudden accelerationClosed · May 30, 1986
• DP86006Sudden accelerationClosed · Mar 19, 1986
• EA85037Engine compartment firesClosed · Jul 31, 1985

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Audi 5000.

Other model years of the Audi 5000

All Audi 5000 model years

Frequently asked questions