1986 Audi 5000 Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 8campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.2L 5-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Audi 5000 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1986 Audi 5000. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and exterior lighting (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 200,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 2 NHTSA investigations 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.
- Electrical system3 20%
- Exterior lighting3 20%
- Fuel system3 20%
- Tires1 6.7%
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “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 car. I have been told that this type of incident has happened many times with 1986 Audi 5000 models. What should I do with this car? Is it safe to continue to use?”
NHTSA complaint #710716, filed 1999-08Electrical system: “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 hqs dept. …”
NHTSA complaint #751705, filed 2001-09Fuel system: “Recall 89v006000, fuel injection seal has hardened due to high temperatures. Recall remedy did not correct the problem which caused the vehicle to catch on fire. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #843710, filed 1999-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 200,000 and 200,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Audi 5000 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 CS quattro 4WD/AWD | 2.2L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 5000 CS quattro Wagon 4WD/AWD | 2.2L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 5000 S FWD | 2.2L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 5000 S FWD | 2.2L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 5000 S FWD | 2.2L 5-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 5000S Wagon FWD | 2.2L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 5000S Wagon FWD | 2.2L 5-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V006000Jan 11, 1993Power train › Axle assemblyCovers: 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, 1989Fuel system, gasolineCovers: 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.
- 87V157000Oct 6, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: 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.
- 87V158000Oct 6, 1987Service brakes, air › Disc › CaliperCovers: Audi 5000 1986–1987
Certain rear brake calipers could bind and consequently overheat.
- 87V008000Jan 3, 1987Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shiftCovers: Audi 5000 1978–1986
Sudden acceleration from a stationary position may occur, when shifting from park to reverse or drive.
- 87V009000Jan 3, 1987Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: 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 8 recalls for the 1986 Audi 5000 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Audi 5000.
Other model years of the Audi 5000
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 11 | — | 4 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 15 | 200,000 | 8 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 14 | — | 7 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Audi 5000 have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1986 Audi 5000 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Audi 5000 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1986 Audi 5000 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Audi 5000 get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Audi 5000 (5000 S, 2.2L 5-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Audi 5000 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 200,000 miles and the middle half falls between 200,000 and 200,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.