U.S. public vehicle records

Audi 5000 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

50 owner complaints analyzed

12 distinct recall campaigns

145,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1978 to 1991 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 50 complaints (12.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	6	12.0%
Transmission and shifting	5	10.0%
Braking behavior	5	10.0%
Steering behavior	4	8.0%
Engine operation	1	2.0%
Fuel system concerns	1	2.0%

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Vehicle Speed Control	6
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit	5
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	3
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch	3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	3
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	2

Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 48 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.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2007

2008

1995: 18; 1996: 13; 1997: 3; 1998: 6; 1999: 4; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1

Pattern summary

Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10187362 · 2007-04-09 (April 9, 2007)

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1980 AUDI 5000 DIESEL AND PURCHASED A SURE START BATTERY #SSB4972, WHICH DID NOT HAVE THE PLASTIC SAFETY GUARD ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. THE AUTO STORE WAS SELLING THE BATTERIES TO EVERYONE WITHOUT THE PLASTIC SAFETY GUARD WHICH THEY WERE TAKING OFF AND THROWING AWAY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187362 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 502189 · 1996-03-03 (March 3, 1996)

ELECTRICAL WINDOWS FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502189 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 489383 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)

TRANSMISSION REBUILT DUE TO LINKAGE FAILURES. *SKD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489383 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 507682 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)

REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP 8 TIMES, ALSO REPLACED POWER BRAKES. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507682 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 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 ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1978: 3; 1979: 3; 1980: 3; 1981: 3; 1982: 3; 1983: 4; 1984: 5; 1985: 7; 1986: 8; 1987: 4; 1988: 3; 1989: 2; 1990: 1; 1991: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Audi 5000 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1978	0	3	Not available
1979	0	3	0
1980	1	3	0
1981	1	3	0
1982	2	3	0
1983	1	4	+1
1984	4	5	+1
1985	14	7	+2
1986	15	8	+1
1987	11	4	-4
1988	1	3	-1
1989	0	2	-1
1990	0	1	-1
1991	0	1	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

50 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

4.0%Usable mileage2 / 50 records

84.0%Valid incident date42 / 50 records

100.0%Valid filing date50 / 50 records

84.0%Ordered incident and filing dates42 / 50 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991
Vehicle Speed Control	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 976186 CONSUMER PUT CAR INTO REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT INJURING HER SHOULDER . TT Look up ODI 976186 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 809460 OWNER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON, CAUSING HIGH RPM AND AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. *AK Look up ODI 809460 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	320.0% ODI 486120 SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/2 ACCIDENTS/INJURIES. *SKD Look up ODI 486120 at NHTSA ↗	19.1% ODI 483872 SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT ON 2ND TIME. *TW Look up ODI 483872 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	428.6% ODI 480410 DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-006),CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD Look up ODI 480410 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 500920 DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. Look up ODI 500920 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	320.0% ODI 534042 WIRE HARNESS SELF DESTRUCTED, CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK Look up ODI 534042 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 484377 BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *SD Look up ODI 484377 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	19.1% ODI 967189 PURCHASE CAR USED ON THE SECOND DAY CAR BROKE DOWN FOR THE LAST FIVE MONTH. TT Look up ODI 967189 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 833213 A SMELL OF GAS AROSE, PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED BACK AT THE VEHICLE, A FIRE STARTED IN THE GRILL IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK Look up ODI 833213 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	320.0% ODI 981228 WHILE DRIVING, LOW/HIGH BEAM SWITCH FAILED, MALFUNCTION CAUSING HEADLAMP HIGH BEAMS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. *AK Look up ODI 981228 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 487697 CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH Look up ODI 487697 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 489383 TRANSMISSION REBUILT DUE TO LINKAGE FAILURES. *SKD Look up ODI 489383 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 501099 TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER RECALL REPAIR. Look up ODI 501099 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 502189 ELECTRICAL WINDOWS FAILED. Look up ODI 502189 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	214.3% ODI 484377 BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *SD Look up ODI 484377 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	213.3% ODI 751705 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… Look up ODI 751705 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1990: 0 complaints · 1991: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1990	0	0	0
1991	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1990	0	0	0
1991	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Vehicle Speed Control	Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Vehicle Speed Control	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 751705 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… Look up ODI 751705 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 484377 BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *SD Look up ODI 484377 at NHTSA ↗	0
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	0	0	0	1 ODI 484377 BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *SD Look up ODI 484377 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	0	0	1 ODI 751705 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… Look up ODI 751705 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 833213

A SMELL OF GAS AROSE, PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED BACK AT THE VEHICLE, A FIRE STARTED IN THE GRILL IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 833213 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 505001

FUEL PUMP FAILS TO PUMP SUFFICIENT GAS TO ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO STALL. *DH

Look up ODI 505001 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 507682

REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP 8 TIMES, ALSO REPLACED POWER BRAKES. *AK

Look up ODI 507682 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 751705

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…

Look up ODI 751705 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b