1981 Audi 5000 Base
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1981 Audi 100 L Avant by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Audi 100 C2 Avant IMG 5639 by Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Audi 100 C2 (1980) 1X7A6711 by Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Audi 100 C2 in profile by Charles01, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Audi 100GL 5slashE 74-RL-TS (1980) p3 by AlfvanBeem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1981 Audi 5000 Base is a 100-hp 2.1-liter with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $11,495 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.
It makes 100 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 112 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 33 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).
The 5000 measures 188.9 inches long on a 105.5-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,703 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Wagon |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $11,495 ($41,099 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 5-cylinder, in-line |
| Displacement | 2.1 L |
| Horsepower | 100 hp @ 5,100 rpm |
| Torque | 112 lb-ft |
| Valvetrain | Belt-driven, overhead camshaft |
| Bore and Stroke | 79.5 x 86.4 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.0:1 |
| Injection Type | CIS fuel injection w/ oxygen sensor |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 1st Gear | 3.6 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.12 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.36 |
| 4th Gear | 0.96 |
| 5th Gear | 0.788 |
| Reverse | 3.5 |
| Final Drive | 4.11 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 19 MPG |
| Highway | 33 MPG |
| Combined | 24 MPG |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, single control arm and stabilizer, negative roll radius |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion crank axle, panhard rod, integral stabilizer, coil spring struts |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 258 mm, Vented Disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | 230 mm, Finned Drum |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 5.5j x 14 (opt. 6j x 14 alloy) |
| Wheels Rear | 5.5j x 14 (opt. 6j x 14 alloy) |
| Tires Front | 185/70 SR 14 |
| Tires Rear | 185/70 SR 14 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 188.9 in |
| Width | 69.6 in |
| Height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.5 in |
| Front Track | 58.1 in |
| Rear Track | 57.2 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.4 in |
| Cargo Volume | 15 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 2,703 lbs |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1981 Audi 5000 Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Audi 5000. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jan 3, 1987 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
NHTSA campaign 87V008000
Sep 22, 1983 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS.
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE DRIVER COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPRESS BOTH PEDALS AT ONE TIME, LOSE CONTROL, AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A BRAKE PEDAL PLATE WHICH WILL RAISE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE PROPER HEIGHT.
NHTSA campaign 83V095000
Apr 21, 1982 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, AN IMPROPERLY PLACED MAT INTERFERES WITH THE VIBRATION ABSORBER ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE PEDAL MAY NOT FULLY RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL ACCLERATION WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL, WHERE NECESSARY, A GUIDE FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INSPECT THE ENTIRE THROTTLE SYSTEM.
NHTSA campaign 82V037000
1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1981 Audi 5000
Owner Complaints
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Audi 5000. See all on nhtsa.gov
| Equipment | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 AUDI 5000. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.