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With only about 92,000 autos involved, the primary recall of the Audi 5000 back in the Eighties was relatively puny in size. But its impact was completely devastating to Audi's business in North America.

The primary Audi 5000 recall, in 1982, was for improperly positioned ground mats that might unintentionally pin the accelerator pedal, doubtlessly leading to runaway acceleration. In some unspecified time in the future the CBS information program 60 Minutes noticed this allegation and in 1986 ran a story exhibiting Audi 5000s operating wildly out of control. That the 60 Minutes story used automobiles clandestinely modified by a self-proclaimed "expert" or that, almost invariably, the unintended sudden acceleration may very well be attributed to drivers urgent the incorrect pedal, did not matter. The injury was done, and Audi's gross sales plummeted. From a peak of 74,061 automobiles in 1985, Audi's sales dropped to just 12,283 vehicles in 1991.

Audi wouldn't start a big sales restoration in North America till the introduction of the all-new 1996 A4 model.

The final recall of Audi 5000s outfitted with automatic transmissions in 1987 had dealers install an interlock that wouldn't allow the automotive to be shifted out of park unless the brake pedal was absolutely depressed. Such interlocks have been widespread on new vehicles ever since.

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