1985 Audi 5000: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 28.6% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 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 | 0 |
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: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 14 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 2; 1998: 2; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 480410 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-006),CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481297 · 1995-02-21 (February 21, 1995)
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED TWICE, ONCE CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOCK UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481949 · 1995-02-11 (February 11, 1995)
IDLE SPEED CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481949 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 485221 · 1995-06-09 (June 9, 1995)
POWER MIRRORS FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485221 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 486456 · 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486456 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488784 · 1995-04-07 (April 7, 1995)
TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN REVERSE, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION/ACCIDENT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488784 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 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 ↗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 ↗87V170000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 1987-10-28 (October 28, 1987)
MALFUNCTIONS OF INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF IDLE CONTROL UNIT COULD CAUSE IDLE STABILIZER VALVE TO BECOME ACTIVATED OUTSIDE ITS NORMAL OPERATING RANGE.
Consequence: IDLE RPM MAY BECOME ERRATIC AND, IN SOMEINSTANCES,INCREASE.
Remedy: INSTALL LATEST SPECIFICATION IDLE CONTROL UNIT.
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 ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
14 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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.
| Component | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 976186CONSUMER PUT CAR INTO REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT INJURING HER SHOULDER . TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 809460OWNER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON, CAUSING HIGH RPM AND AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 320.0%ODI 486120SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/2 ACCIDENTS/INJURIES. *SKD | 19.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 480410DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-006),CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD | 16.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 534042WIRE HARNESS SELF DESTRUCTED, CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 967189PURCHASE CAR USED ON THE SECOND DAY CAR BROKE DOWN FOR THE LAST FIVE MONTH. TT | 1100.0%ODI 833213A 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 | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 981228WHILE DRIVING, LOW/HIGH BEAM SWITCH FAILED, MALFUNCTION CAUSING HEADLAMP HIGH BEAMS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 487697CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0% | 17.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 751705ON 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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | 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.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
1990: 0 complaints · 1991: 0 complaints
| 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
| 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 | Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | Structure:Body:Door | Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | Electrical System:Ignition | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.