1987 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 1987 Audi 5000 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1987 Audi 5000, several common problems can be identified:
- Steering Rack:
- Using the wrong power steering fluid can damage the steering rack, leading to issues. It is crucial to use the correct fluid to prevent this problem.
- Heater Core/Blower Motor:
- The heater core and blower motor can be problematic and costly to replace. If these components are original, it is recommended to deduct from the price due to the difficulty in replacing them.
- Hydraulic Brake Accumulator:
- The hydraulic brake accumulator, known as 'the bomb,' can fail, leading to brake issues. If the red triangle with the word 'brake' comes on during panic stops, it indicates a problem with the accumulator that needs replacement.
- Front to Rear Driveshaft Thumping:
- Thumping noises from the front to rear driveshaft during acceleration can indicate a problem. While it is stated that these driveshafts cannot be rebuilt, they can actually be rebuilt to avoid the high cost of a new one from Audi.
- A/C Compressor:
- The A/C compressor in the Audi 5000 can fail to compress properly. Rebuilding good units can be challenging, and new compressors from Audi are expensive, highlighting a potential issue with the air conditioning system.
- Door Handles:
- Door handles in the Audi 5000 are prone to early failure, requiring replacements that can add to maintenance costs.
- Turbocharger Issues:
- Problems with the turbocharger can lead to a lack of boost above 1.0 bar. Issues like torn hoses or leaks in the intercooler can affect turbo performance, indicating the need for thorough inspection and potential repairs.
- Wiring Problems:
- Cracked wiring in the driver's side accordion boot is a common issue. Checking and addressing any wiring issues is essential to prevent electrical malfunctions in the vehicle.
- Fuel Pump:
- The fuel pump in the Audi 5000 can develop issues, causing loud noises before failing. Monitoring the fuel pump's performance and addressing any unusual sounds promptly is crucial to avoid potential breakdowns.
These common problems reported by owners of the 1987 Audi 5000 highlight various areas where maintenance and repairs may be needed to ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and longevity.
What was wrong with the Audi 5000?
And here's what NHTSA's official Audi 5000 report actually concluded: Some versions of Audi idle-stabilization system were prone to defects which resulted in excessive idle speeds and brief unanticipated accelerations of up to 0.3g.
How much horsepower does a 1987 Audi 5000 have?
This straight-five displaced 2.3 liters and made 130 horsepower, while the turbo version whooshed out 162 horses.
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! '.
What is the top speed of 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. In the US, reflecting the Audi's luxury connotations, 90 percent of 5000s received the costlier "S" equipment package.
What was wrong with the Audi 5000?
And here's what NHTSA's official Audi 5000 report actually concluded: Some versions of Audi idle-stabilization system were prone to defects which resulted in excessive idle speeds and brief unanticipated accelerations of up to 0.3g.
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.
How much horsepower does a 1987 Audi 5000 have?
This straight-five displaced 2.3 liters and made 130 horsepower, while the turbo version whooshed out 162 horses.
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! '.
1987 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:
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Audi 5000 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Audi 5000 complaints
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Audi 5000.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-06-12
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH AND BRAKES DEVELOPED A VIOLENT SHAKING AND VIBRATION. ALSO, UPON APPLYING BRAKES CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS VERY HOT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
- VIN: WAUHE0446KN
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS, WIPERS, CRUISE CONTROL AND TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-07-12
- VIN: WAUHDO443HN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH WHEN THE AXLE ASSEMBLY GAVE WAY. CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER. THE WHEELS DID NOT LOCK UP. THERE IS A RECALL FOR POWER TRAIN AXLE ASSEMBLY MANDATED IN 1993. CONSUMER HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE ON 5-5-93 AT 48,651 MILES, BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT UNTIL NOW. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-02-21
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: HEAT EXCHANGER BLEW CAUSING OVERFLOW OF HOT WATER TO SPILL INTO FRONT SEATS OF VEHICLE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-15
- VIN: WAUFC048 H3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-11-03
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: STICKING ACCELERATOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-14
- VIN: WAUFC0448HN
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: SUNVISOR COMES DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, OBSTRUCTING VIEW. (1ST VEHICLE ON 602405)
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHEN MAKING A TURN THE CAR WENT ONE WAY WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED ANOTHER. THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE AND THE CAR HIT A BARRIER. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHEN MAKING A TURN THE CAR WENT ONE WAY WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED ANOTHER. THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE AND THE CAR HIT A BARRIER. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-08-11
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WAUFB0449HN
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT ON 2ND TIME. *TW
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: PURCHASE CAR USED ON THE SECOND DAY CAR BROKE DOWN FOR THE LAST FIVE MONTH. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-06-01
- VIN: WHUHE0447HN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: HAD LITTLE STOPPING ABILITY, HYDROBOOST HAD GONE BAD. (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS). TT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-04-01
- VIN: WAUFC0444HN
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL TANK PEELING/FLAKING, CONTAMINATING FUEL SYSTEM, RESULTING IN STALLING. *AK
1987 Audi 5000 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1987 Audi 5000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: CERTAIN REAR BRAKE CALIPERS COULD BIND AND CONSEQUENTLY OVERHEAT.
- Consequence: OVERHEATED CALIPERS COULD CAUSE BRAKE PEDAL TO FEELSPONGY AND COULD RESULT IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT BECOMING INOPERATIVE. BRAKINGABILITY WOULD BE AFFECTED.
- Remedy: REQUIRES INSPECTION OF BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACEMENT OF CALIPERS AS NECESSARY.
- 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Audi 5000 problems:
Looking at a 87 5000CS Turbo Quattro, issues? - AudiWorld Forums
Jan 22, 2002 ... (6) the turbo will last over 220k if it hasn't been fried, which generally happens from loss of coolant or failure of one of the turbo pumps, ...
The Audi 5000 Unintended Acceleration Debacle - Blowing Smoke ...
Oct 22, 2021 ... Update: I hadn't seen these videos produced by Audi in 1987. They also feature a race car driver, this time ...
A few problems with my 1987 Audi 4000CS - AudiWorld Forums
Jul 3, 2014 ... I had this problem once in a 5000 I bought. It was running really hot, the fan was working its butt off, but come to find out, it was blowing ...
CC Outtake: 1987 Audi 5000 S - The Last One Still On the Road ...
Apr 27, 2018 ... ... reliability problems, with the exception of Mercedes. It was very common (typical) for these cars during the test time to need several ...
TheSamba.com :: Vanagon - Common syncro GL problems
Oct 5, 2007 ... Audi 5000CS Rear Disc Brake Conversion Front Skid-Plate, bumper, winch install. Full Body Brush Guard ..........Spacers Bad, Bery, Bery Bad ...
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