Audi 5000Model year report

1987 Audi 5000 Problems

Complaints: 11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: —no mileage reported
Recalls: 4campaigns 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: 18 mpgcombined, 2.2L 5-cyl FWD · 16 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Audi 5000 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1987 Audi 5000. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and vehicle speed control (2). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the caliper 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 27%
Brakes2 18%
Vehicle speed control2 18%
Engine cooling1 9.1%
Steering1 9.1%
Body and structure1 9.1%
Transmission and drivetrain1 9.1%
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)1 9.1%

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Consumer was traveling about 45mph and brakes developed a violent shaking and vibration. Also, upon applying brakes consumer saw smoke coming from the steering wheel, it was very hot.”

NHTSA complaint #863589, filed 2000-06

Complaints by year filed

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

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1987 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 Turbo FWD	2.2L 5-cyl	5-speed manual	16	24	19	$3,550
5000 CS Turbo FWD	2.2L 5-cyl	3-speed automatic	16	20	18	$3,700
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	3-speed automatic	16	20	17	$3,950
5000 S FWD	2.3L 5-cyl	3-speed automatic	17	21	18	$3,700
5000 S FWD	2.3L 5-cyl	5-speed manual	16	22	18	$3,700
5000 S quattro 4WD/AWD	2.3L 5-cyl	5-speed manual	16	22	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
5000S Wagon FWD	2.3L 5-cyl	3-speed automatic	16	20	18	$3,700
5000S Wagon FWD	2.3L 5-cyl	5-speed manual	16	22	18	$3,700

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, 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.
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.
87V158000Oct 6, 1987
Service brakes, air › Disc › Caliper
Covers: Audi 5000 1986–1987
Certain rear brake calipers could bind and consequently overheat.

Recall details for the 1987 Audi 5000 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 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

All Audi 5000 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Audi 5000 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1987 Audi 5000 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1987 Audi 5000 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 1987 Audi 5000 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1987 Audi 5000 get?

The EPA rates the 1987 Audi 5000 (5000 CS Turbo, 2.2L 5-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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.