Voluntary Recall of Audi 5000s Urged

The Transportation Department urged the voluntary recall Tuesday of 227,000 Audi 5000 automobiles in connection with its investigation into numerous reports of the cars suddenly accelerating out of control.

Volkswagen of America, which builds the cars through a subsidiary, has argued that the incidents are driver-related, not caused by a car defect.

The suggested recall would involve 1978 through 1986 Audi 5000s with automatic transmissions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is part of the Transportation Department, said it had reports of 417 accidents, 228 injuries and four deaths linked to the cars’ suddenly accelerating, usually when shifted from park to drive or reverse.