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2008-2026 · 16 model years

Audi A5 Problems by year

Owners have filed 247 complaints about the Audi A5 across 16 model years, and it has 19 recalls. The 2020 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (60), while 2008, 2017, 2026 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the electrical system, followed by the engine & cooling.

Most complaints for its age202060 complaints · 4 recallsSee the 2020
Complaints
247
Recalls
19
Crashes
5
Fires
3
Injuries
3
Deaths
1

A5 complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20261000Driver assistanceA
20250200-C
20220200-A
20218500Electrical systemD
202060410Electrical systemF
201912310Acceleration & cruise controlC
20189600Engine & coolingC
20172200Engine & coolingA
20167300Engine & coolingB
20159300Fuel systemB
201429300Engine & coolingD
201338332Engine & coolingF
201222001AirbagsC
201034000AirbagsC
200911100Engine & coolingB
20085100AirbagsA

Most common A5 problems

Audi A5 recalls 19

Suspension: front

18V89300036 vehicles affected

Volkswagen Group of North America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback vehicles. The front suspension fasteners may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle production, possibly resulting in a front wheel becoming loose.

Latest A5 complaints

2021 Audi A5Engine & cooling

Car began bucking at low speeds. I parked car and when I turned on ignition next day, dashboard warning indicated "Transmission malfunction" and warned me not to drive car. I had it towed to dealer. Diagnosis was that it was a gearbox malfunction that according to dealer was occurring more and more frequently, so much so that Audi had issued a "Technical Service Bulletin." My car which is less than 5 years old and has 65,000 miles required $3,600 worth of repairs for this issue. If this is major engine problem occurring with increasing frequency, why is this not a recall?

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11764446
2018 Audi A5Transmission & drivetrain

Without warning or alerts from vehicle, car became disabled while partially into a left turn at a four way intersection. Car engine would rev, but not move. Gear selector worked, but wheels would not turn. Front wheels were completely locked and vehicle had to be dragged onto a flatbed truck. Police had to be dispatched to ensure safely of other drivers passing through the intersection until my vehicle was removed. Had a [[redacted]] child in the car with me that had to be received by my spouse. After towing car to...

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an ASE certified independent repair shop, a full transmission replacement was recommended. Car has approximately 38,900 miles and is 8 years old. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11764283
2026 Audi A5Driver assistance

Issue: Unexpected and extremely forceful Brake Hold impeded normal and safe driving maneuvers. While driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic on an incline approaching the GW Bridge towards NY, I cautiously attempted to move out of my lane into an adjacent lane. I lightly applied the brake, (I believe the automatic brake hold activated, to prevent rolling backwards) and the vehicle suddenly jerked extremely hard and came to a complete stop in the middle of the lane. A loud banging sound occurred at the same time,...

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sounding like a collision. Fortunately, there was no collision. The safety concern is particularly serious when changing lanes or merging from slow-moving traffic into a lane where vehicles are traveling significantly faster. An unexpected and forceful stop could leave the vehicle stopped in the path of approaching traffic and creates a substantial risk of being struck from behind or causing a collision. Currently the 2026 Audi A5 Brake Hold function can be disabled only for level grade driving. However, it activates automatically when driving uphill. On a downhill it also activates if you press hard on the brake. "Because the Brake Hold function can interfere with normal and cautious maneuvering the manufacturer should allow the driver to totally deactivated the Brake Hold on demand". Thank you

Filed Incident Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11761117
2018 Audi A5Suspension

2018 Audi A5 Sportback has 16,500 miles only on it. Used for city driving only; never off road. Recently went in for annual inspection and was told that my right rear coil spring had snapped in two and vehicle was unsafe to drive. Took vehicle to local Audi dealer and they confirmed broken coil spring; they wanted $3000 to repair the vehicle. I took the vehicle instead to a local mechanic who did the repair--replacement of both broken right rear spring and one on left side--for ~$1000. Mechanic noted that he has seen and repaired many Audis with similar snapped rear coil springs.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11760234
2018 Audi A5Airbags

My 2018 Audi A5 Sportback previously received Audi Safety Recall 74E3 on January 27, 2023. The recall repair documentation indicates a seat POD (Passenger Occupant Detection System) update was performed. Several years later, the vehicle developed another passenger airbag fault. The vehicle displays a message indicating the front passenger airbag is OFF even when an occupant is seated in the front passenger seat. Audi diagnosed fault code B12251B, "Passive Occupant Detection System Mat Resistance Too High," and...

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determined that the seat POD occupancy mat and wiring are defective and require replacement. Audi has refused to cover the repair because more than 12 months and 12,000 miles have passed since the recall repair. I am concerned that the passenger occupant detection system involved in the previous safety recall has failed again, resulting in the passenger airbag being disabled while the seat is occupied. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether the recall remedy adequately corrected this safety issue.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11755942
2013 Audi A5Electrical system

Turned AC on blew out cool air all of sudden the air went out hot air blowing, smelt burning and saw smoke on passenger side (not a lot,but enough to raise concerns) turned AC shut climate off, turned car off tried it again no air just heat blowing. brother in law put it on machine , gave a sensor code, replaced sensor put a can of air in, still blowing out hot air. and if ran too long it will smoke and burning scent.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11753312

Questions about the Audi A5

Which Audi A5 years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2020 (60), 2013 (38), 2010 (34). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2020 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Audi A5 years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2008, 2017, 2022 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other A5 years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Audi A5 problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the electrical system (72), engine & cooling (61), airbags (34) most often.

How many recalls does the Audi A5 have?

NHTSA lists 19 recalls across all Audi A5 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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