Audi 5000 Recalls

The Audi 5000 has 9 recalls spanning the 1978-1986 production run, with the most serious recent issue affecting 1986 models, where rear brake calipers can bind and overheat, making the brake pedal feel spongy and potentially disabling one of the two brake circuits, which increases stopping distances.

The 1985 model year has a fuel distributor that can release a small amount of fuel into the air filter after the engine is shut off. If the engine misfires on restart, that absorbed fuel can ignite and cause an engine compartment fire.

The 1984 model year carries several concerns. On turbo-equipped models, fuel injector seals can harden and allow fuel to escape under turbo pressure onto hot engine components, creating a fire risk. On turbo and Quattro models, repeatedly topping off the fuel tank beyond the pump's auto-shutoff point can reduce expansion space in the tank and allow fuel vapors to enter the engine compartment. Separately from the fuel issues, 1984 models with automatic transmissions can experience unintended acceleration when shifting out of Park into Drive or Reverse, and the idle control unit can malfunction and cause erratic engine speed that makes the vehicle difficult to control.

Going back to earlier production, 1978-model vehicles with automatic transmissions have a floor mat that can slide under the accelerator pedal and hook onto the pedal's vibration damper, holding the throttle partially open during deceleration. Those same early models also have a brake and accelerator pedal height relationship that makes it possible to press both pedals at the same time, which can cause loss of vehicle control. The 1978 models additionally share the unintended acceleration concern when shifting out of Park.