1985 Audi 5000 problems
The Audi 100 and Audi 200 (and sometimes called Audi 5000 in North America) are primarily mid-size/executive cars manufactured and marketed by the Audi division of the Volkswagen Group. The car was made from 1968 to 1997 across four generations (C1–C4), with a two-door model available in the first and second generation (C1-C2), and a five-door model available in the last three generations (C2–C4).
In 1982, the third generation Audi 100 achieved a remarkably low (for its time) drag coefficient of 0.30, featuring flush greenhouse sides with unique sliding window mountings.
The C2 and C3 models of the Audi 100 were marketed in North America as the Audi 5000 from 1978 to 1988, and in South Africa as the Audi 500.
In 1993, the models were mildly restyled, and renamed the Audi A6 series in conjunction with a general new Audi naming scheme, until they were replaced by a new generation of A6, internally code-named C5, in 1997. The Audi 100's traditional competitors include the Mercedes Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series.
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Common 1985 Audi 5000 problems
The Audi 5000, produced in 1985, was known for its sudden acceleration issues, which resulted in hundreds of accidents, injuries, and even fatalities.
The sudden acceleration often occurred without warning when the automatic transmission was shifted from park to drive or reverse.
The sudden acceleration was attributed to a combination of factors. One theory was that a floor mat could become stuck under the accelerator pedal, causing the accelerator to stick while the car was in park or drive. However, this did not solve the problem, and accident reports continued to climb.
Another theory was that drivers unfamiliar with the car may have been unknowingly stepping on both the brake and the accelerator, causing the car to accelerate unexpectedly.
In addition to these issues, the Audi 5000 had a faulty EGR valve that made engines run rough and a relationship between the seat, steering wheel, gas pedal, and brake pedal placement that, while not wildly unorthodox, were at the extremes of several competitive cars, making it easier for drivers to inadvertently step on the accelerator.
Despite these issues, the Audi 5000 was a popular car, designed to compete with luxury models such as the Volvo, BMW, and Cadillac.
In summary, the Audi 5000, produced in 1985, was plagued by sudden acceleration issues that resulted in numerous accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Despite the company's denial of any defect, the sudden acceleration was attributed to a combination of factors, including floor mat interference, driver error, and a faulty EGR valve. These issues, along with the company's lack of response, led to a significant decline in sales and a fight against the automaker by consumers.
What happened to Audi 5000?
Reported sudden unintended acceleration
During model years 1983–1987, Audi's U.S. sales fell after several recalls of Audi 5000 models, which were associated with reported incidents of sudden unintended acceleration linked to six deaths and 700 accidents.
What year Audi is most reliable?
5 Of The Most Reliable Audi Models You Can Buy Used
- 2008-2011 A6. Autotrader. ...
- 2009-2016 A4. Sjo/Getty Images. ...
- 2016 Q5. Sjoerd Van Der Wal/Getty Images. ...
- 2014-2017 TT. Raymond Boyd/Getty Images. ...
- 2016 Audi A3. Sjo/Getty Images.
What does it mean to be Audi 5000?
(derived from 'outa here' mixed with the car the Audi 5000) A saying conveying that a person is about to depart. As if to say 'time to leave! ' 'Jesse ... we're outtie 5000! ' Some shorten it and just say '5000! '.
How fast is the Audi 5000?
Road & Track were able to reach a top speed of 113 mph (182 km/h) in the federalized car, slower than a naturally aspirated European market 2.1 E.
What happened to Audi 5000?
Reported sudden unintended acceleration
During model years 1983–1987, Audi's U.S. sales fell after several recalls of Audi 5000 models, which were associated with reported incidents of sudden unintended acceleration linked to six deaths and 700 accidents.
What year Audi is most reliable?
5 Of The Most Reliable Audi Models You Can Buy Used
- 2008-2011 A6. Autotrader. ...
- 2009-2016 A4. Sjo/Getty Images. ...
- 2016 Q5. Sjoerd Van Der Wal/Getty Images. ...
- 2014-2017 TT. Raymond Boyd/Getty Images. ...
- 2016 Audi A3. Sjo/Getty Images.
What does it mean to be Audi 5000?
(derived from 'outa here' mixed with the car the Audi 5000) A saying conveying that a person is about to depart. As if to say 'time to leave! ' 'Jesse ... we're outtie 5000! ' Some shorten it and just say '5000! '.
How fast is the Audi 5000?
Road & Track were able to reach a top speed of 113 mph (182 km/h) in the federalized car, slower than a naturally aspirated European market 2.1 E.
1985 Audi 5000 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi 5000 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Visibility problems
- Steering problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Audi 5000 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1985 Audi 5000
The NHTSA has received 32 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Audi 5000. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1985 Audi 5000 vehicles.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-01-01
- VIN: WAUFBO445FN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-12-30
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- VIN: WALHBO444FN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-05
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-10
- VIN: WAUSBO446FN
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS, NO MANUAL RELEASE BUTTON, CAN OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *AK
STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-23
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-10
- VIN: WAUFB0449FN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE OWNER IS SEEKING REIMBURSTMENT. TT
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-05-01
- VIN: WAUF80444FN
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: HYDRAULIC SYSTEM LEAK CAUSES LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, AND TRANSMISSION. *DH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *SD
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *SD
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: GEAR LEVER STICKS. *SD
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. *SD
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: POWER WINDOWS INOPERTIVE. *SD
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: WHEEL BEARINGS NOISY. *SD
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: SUNROOF INOPERTIVE. *SD
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-03-01
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED. *SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-02
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DISTRIBUTOR REPLACED. *SD
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-08-01
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: POWER MIRRORS FAILED.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-09
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: GEAR SHIFT FAILED.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-08-01
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: POWER WINDOWS FAILED TWICE.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-08-01
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: POWER SUN ROOF FAILED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-04-04
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKES FAIL OCCASIONALLY.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-04-04
- VIN: WAUFB0446FN
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *DH
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-24
- VIN: WAUFB0444FN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AW
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-07
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WAUFB0442FN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN REVERSE, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION/ACCIDENT. *SD
1985 Audi 5000 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the 1985 Audi 5000.
- Manufacturer: EIS BRAKE PARTS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: THESE BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES HAVE INADEQUATE CRIMPS ATTACHING THE HOSE TO THE HOSE FITTINGS AND COULD CAUSE THE HOSE AND FITTING TO SEPARATE.
- Consequence: IF THE BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES, LOSS OF BRAKING POWER CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: THESE BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1985 Audi 5000 problems:
Consumers Steer Clear Of the Audi 5000 S - The Washington Post
Dec 27, 1986 ... in Silver Spring. Tischer sells Audi, Porsche, BMW and Subaru models. "Negative and unfair publicity" about Audi's alleged problems with sudden ...
The Audi 5000 Unintended Acceleration Debacle - Blowing Smoke ...
Oct 22, 2021 ... Audi took a questionable stance: they didn't flat oout blame the drivers for the problem, even after the NHTSA report came out. Hey, the ...
issues to watch for on a Coupe GT? - AudiWorld Forums
Nov 18, 2003 ... has Audi 5000 internals and is known for being next to indestructible. ... A loppy/unstable idle is also an common issue with these cars.
stwquattro´s 1985 Audi 5000 S Avant - Earl Grey | Automobiles Forum
Oct 7, 2015 ... Station wagon." The daydream started and I answered "YES...I wanna have it!" From my current point of view...I own nowadays two of four known ...
Uncharacteristically Noisy German Sedans: 1983 BMW 528e vs ...
Oct 26, 2023 ... After suffering disastrous rust problems with earlier models, Audi fully galvanized the entire body of this generation of 5000, and it made a ...
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