Selling an old Audi 5000

If yours is parked for good, we buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The acceleration recalls

Wikipedia quotes NHTSA's technical analysis from the time: Audi idle-stabilization systems were prone to defects that caused excessive idle speeds and brief, unexpected accelerations of up to 0.3g. NHTSA found those could not be the sole cause of the sudden acceleration incidents, but might have triggered some by startling the driver. At the time, NHTSA was investigating 50 models from 20 makers for sudden surges.

Three campaigns in the recall file deal with the shift lock and the idle stabilizer:

• 87V008 (1984-1986): sudden acceleration could occur when shifting from park to reverse or drive. Dealers fitted a shift lock that keeps the lever in park until the brake is pressed. 251,102 vehicles.
• 87V009 (1985-1986): a worn idle stabilizer can make the idle surge, getting worse with use. Dealers replaced the valve. 81,000 vehicles.
• 87V170 (1984-1985): a faulty idle control unit could trigger the idle stabilizer valve outside its normal range. Dealers installed an updated unit. 57,000 vehicles.

These are whole-campaign counts and may include other Audi models.

Problems by model year

1984-1985

The first two years hold 18 complaints. On the 1985, power train is named in 7 of 14, and 8 people were reported injured, the most of any year. Recall 85V099 replaces 1984 brake hoses whose outer rubber can crack and leak fluid. Recall 86V103 adds an air filter kit on 1985-1986 cars, because a misadjusted fuel distributor can soak the filter in fuel that could ignite on a backfire.

1986-1988

These years hold 27 complaints. The 1986 leads with 15, naming speed control 4 times and exterior lights 3 times, with 2 fires. Recall 87V158 inspects rear brake calipers on 1986-1987 cars that could bind and overheat. Recall 86V113 replaces 1986 seat belt locks that may not engage. Across the whole run, 89V006 replaces fuel injector seals that harden and leak into the engine compartment, 87V157 redesigns the fuel filler neck and vent, and 93V006 changes differential oil that evaporates and wears out the gears. That last one also covers the Audi 100 and 80/90.

Wikipedia notes the earlier 5000, sold from 1978 to 1983, reached 133,512 North American sales with five-cylinder engines only. The EPA years on this page start after it.

By the numbers

Owner complaints in NHTSA's database, tallied October 10, 2026. They describe what drivers reported, not how reliable the car is.

Restore it or sell it?

A 5000 is close to 40 years old. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup to see what was done. For one that hasn't turned a wheel in years, the car sitting for years guide covers what usually fails first, and old project car covers selling one unfinished. A fuel smell under the hood on any of these years is a reason to leave it parked.

Selling the 5000 whole

Call (877) 421-6008 or get an offer online. Name the version (S, CS Turbo, CS quattro) and body, and say if it rolls. Boxed in at the back of a barn, or nose-down behind a shed? Explain the way in for the truck. Leave it whole, have the title at pickup, and see after you sell for plates.

More old Audis: the 100, the 200, and every Audi we cover.