- The problem
- These brake hose assemblies have inadequate crimps attaching the hose to the hose fittings and could cause the hose and fitting to separate.
- The risk
- If the brake hose assembly separates, loss of braking power can occur increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- The fix
- THESE BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
Vehicle safety record
1985 Audi 5000 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 1985 Audi 5000 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (9) and the acceleration & cruise control (2). Those complaints describe 3 crashes and 8 injuries. It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in March 1996 for the hoses, lines / piping, and fittings. For comparison, the 1984 has 5 and the 1986 has 15.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 5000 year, for its age
#13 most complained-about 1985 vehicle
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 8
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1985 Audi 5000 problems
Share of all 17 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1985 Audi 5000 recalls 8
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics.
- The problem
- Fuel injection seals may harden, due to high temperature and alcohol in some fuels, and allow fuel to escape into the engine compartment.
- The risk
- Fuel dripping onto hot engine components could cause anengine compartment fire.
- The fix
- Replace engines fuel injector seals with improved seals plus improvements designed to better insulate the engine against fire risk.
- The problem
- Malfunctions of internal components of idle control unit could cause idle stabilizer valve to become activated outside its normal operating range.
- The risk
- Idle rpm may become erratic and, in someinstances,increase.
- The fix
- Install latest specification idle control unit.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Escaping vapors could ignite by heat emitted by theexhaust system.
- The fix
- Install redesigned filler neck and a new vent valve and hose for charcoal filter. Also, stop refueling when pump nozzle shuts off.
- The problem
- The idle stabilizer may experience excessive wear, causing engine idle fluctuations, usually described as engine surge, which increase with usage of the car.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- REPLACE IDLE STABILIZATION VALVE.
- The problem
- Sudden acceleration from a stationary position may occur, when shifting from park to reverse or drive.
- The risk
- Unexpected sudden acceleration without prior warningcould result in a vehicle crash, causing injuries.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Installation of an air filter modification kit to preclude fuel leaks.
What owners say
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17 complaints about the 1985 Audi 5000
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Radiator cooling fan shorts outs after accumulating many miles. Wiring to fan burned out completely. The affect to vehicle was unknown. Dealer was contacted . Please provide more information.*Ak
Differential failure resulting in a vehicle accident.
TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
Door locks will lock and unlock, electrical door locks, no manual release button, can open from inside or outside. *Ak
Consumer parked car and locked door with child in car, came back to the car and discovered the power lock wouldn't unlock, had to play with lock about one hour and the rear door would not unlock. Please describe .**Ak
Recieved a recall notice after transmission was replaced at owners expense owner is seeking reimburstment. Tt
Hydraulic system leak causes loss of steering, brakes, and transmission. *Dh
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *DH
Differential failure, causing front wheel to lock up. *Aw
Transmission locked in reverse, causing sudden acceleration/accident. *Sd
Differential failed twice, once causing vehicle to lock up, causing loss of control/accident/injuries. *Skd
Idle speed control module failed, causing sudden acceleration. *Skd
Differential failure prior to recall (93v-006),causing loss of control/accident/injuries. *Skd
Transmission failure after recall work performed due to lower level of oil lubricating the bearings/seal went bad. *Skd
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK
Transaxle failed, causing front wheels to lock up/ loss of control prior to recall (93v-006). *Ak
Audi 5000: every year compared
All 5000 years1985 Audi 5000 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Audi 5000 | 17 | 8 | F | |
| 1985 Audi Audi | 2 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1985 Audi 4000 | 1 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1985 Audi Coupe GT | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1985 Audi 5000
Does the 1985 Audi 5000 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 1985 Audi 5000: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (March 1996); axle assembly (January 1993); fuel system, gasoline (January 1989); cruise control (October 1987) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1985 Audi 5000?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (9), acceleration & cruise control (2), steering (2).
How many complaints has the 1985 Audi 5000 had?
17 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 14, 1994 and the latest on June 3, 2002. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1985 Audi 5000 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 7 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Audi 5000 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi 5000 years have the most complaints?
1985 (17), 1986 (15), 1987 (12). See every Audi 5000 year compared.
What should I do if my 1985 Audi 5000 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data