- 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
1986 Audi 5000 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 1986 Audi 5000 with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (4) and the fuel system (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries. It is covered by 9 recalls, the latest in March 1996 for the hoses, lines / piping, and fittings. For comparison, the 1985 has 17 and the 1987 has 12.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 5000 year, for its age
#33 most complained-about 1986 vehicle
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1986 Audi 5000 problems
Share of all 15 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1986 Audi 5000 recalls 9
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
- Certain rear brake calipers could bind and consequently overheat.
- The risk
- Overheated calipers could cause brake pedal to feelspongy and could result in one brake circuit becoming inoperative. Brakingability would be affected.
- The fix
- Requires inspection of brake calipers and replacement of calipers as necessary.
- 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
- Rear or front right seat belt locks may not properly engage. Consequence of defect: seat belts could separate in event of heavy brake application or impact and thus subject passengers to injury.
- The fix
- REPLACE SEAT BELTS, AS NECESSARY.
- 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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15 complaints about the 1986 Audi 5000
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl*the contact owns a 1986 audi 5000. The vehicle has michelin xm plus 300 tires (na). While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate and the contact heard loud flapping noises. The front passenger side tire lost approximately half of its tread, causing the driver to nearly lose control of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and replaced the tire with a spare. He called the manufacturer and they informed him that the tires were no longer under warranty and needed to be replaced at his expense. The vin and tire size were unknown. The failure mileage was 200,000 and current mileage was 200,100. Update 09/10/08 *cw updated 09/17/08. *Jb
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...
Read the full complaint
department, put out, millersville, md hqs dept. Said started in engine, so bad burnt and melted hard to tell what failed. I had no fire insurance on car. Any recourse against audi? Please advise. I had just spent $3,000 in repairs on car...Seat, cruise, exhuast, tune up, injectors...At local shops. I am sick...Was planning to add comprehensive,but had to take to geico for inspection first. Moreover, I live in condo, with garage, 4 family unit, had been parking in my garage at night...A few hours later we might have all been killed or injured...Whole place is wood frame. The tow truck operator/owner who towed car to his shop, said he has seen this before in this model many times...He said car will be there to inspect for a few weeks...The junked.*Ak
Engine wiring harness failed causing engine to lock up and damaged engine. *Mjs
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?
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. *Ak
Wire harness self destructed, causing complete failure of the engine and electrical system. *Ak
Fuel pump fails to pump sufficient gas to engine, causing it to stall. *Dh
While driving, low-high beam switch failure occurs, causing headlamp high beams to stay on continuously. *Ak
While driving, low/high beam switch failed, causing headlamp high beams to stay on continuously. *Ak
While driving, low/high beam switch failed, malfunction causing headlamp high beams to stay on continuously. *Ak
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED.
Location of bubbles in front windshield glass, impairs visibility. *Ak
Transaxle seal failed, resulting in a leak prior to/after recall repairs. (93V-0060). *Ak
Sudden acceleration, causing loss of control/2 accidents/injuries. *Skd
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. TT
Audi 5000: every year compared
All 5000 years1986 Audi 5000 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Audi 5000 | 15 | 9 | F | |
| 1986 Audi 4000 | 4 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1986 Audi Audi | 2 | 0 | B | 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 1986 Audi 5000
Does the 1986 Audi 5000 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 1986 Audi 5000: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (March 1996); axle assembly (January 1993); fuel system, gasoline (January 1989); caliper (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 1986 Audi 5000?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (4), fuel system (3), lights (3).
How many complaints has the 1986 Audi 5000 had?
15 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 1, 1995 and the latest on May 14, 2008. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1986 Audi 5000 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 8 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 1986 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