- The problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
- The risk
- A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Vehicle safety record
2016 Audi A5 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2016 Audi A5 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (3) and the transmission & drivetrain (2). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in April 2018 for the cooling system. For comparison, the 2015 has 9 and the 2017 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical A5 year, for its age
#230 most complained-about 2016 vehicle
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2016 Audi A5 problems
Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2016 Audi A5 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
- The risk
- The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
- The problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
- The risk
- If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
What owners say
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7 complaints about the 2016 Audi A5
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Immediately after taking it home from a dealership, I noticed the MMI system wasn't turning on. I figured it would fix itself, but it's been 4 days and nothing has happened. The screen stays black when starting the car. When I reset the MMI by holding the volume knob for 10 seconds, it briefly turns on but shuts itself off right after.
On August 3, 2025, my wife and I came home from dinner and I couldn't get out of the driver's side door. I took it to Naples Audi where I bought the car and delt with its Assistant Service Manager and Service Advisor. Audi estimated the repair to be over $1,300. I called Audi USA Regional Customer Service and Mike B opened a Case 06968056 for me. He got back to me today, August 7, and said Audi Corporate and Naples Audi will still make me pay $800 to do the repair. I'm submitting this claim because an...
Read the full complaint
inoperable door handle is a huge safety problem and liability to any Audi owner. The parts to repair cost $500, which includes a part to connect the interior handle to the door latch that opens the door, and 4 bolts! I found out the interior part of the door handle is made of plastic - unbelievably not metal. Audit Assistant Service Manager told me over time, especially in the southwest Florida heat, the plastic can become brittle and crack off the latch. One would think Audi Engineers would know to use metal versus plastic for this critical part that enable the door to open. Audi should fully cover the cost to fix my car due to "engineering mistake." The part wasn't broken based on anything I, or any other consumer, could do to provide service maintenance to keep this plastic part from cracking. This breakdown of the driver's side door not being able to let me out, is a huge safety problem for anyone driving this car.
Car went into limp mode and check engine light came on.
Electromechanical steering rack has gone out. Had this completely failed while driving myself and others could be put in serious harm of a collision or crash. There are many online complaints and issues with the audi steering racks. No other warnings then it just went out at the same time it tells you stop driving.
The drive chain broke, causing permanent damage to the engine which requires a complete engine replacement. The car was 5 + years old with 38,000 miles on it and well maintained.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 audi a5. While the contact was making a three point turn with the shifter in the reverse position, the vehicle abruptly accelerated forward and moved approximately 3 to 5 feet when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also indicated that the vehicle lost power and would not properly accelerate on several occasions. The cause of the failures was not determined. Audi of eatontown (95 nj-36, eatontown, nj) was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 audi a5. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v229000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact did not contact a local dealer. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vin was not available.
Audi A5: every year compared
All A5 years2016 Audi A5 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Audi A5 | 7 | 3 | B | |
| 2016 Audi A3 | 115 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2016 Audi A6 | 51 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2016 Audi Q3 | 29 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2016 Audi A4 | 26 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2016 Audi A7 | 15 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2016 Audi A8 LWB | 10 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2016 Audi A8 NWB | 10 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2016 Audi A5
Does the 2016 Audi A5 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi A5: cooling system (April 2018); wiring (October 2017); cooling system (January 2017). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A5?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (3), transmission & drivetrain (2), electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 2016 Audi A5 had?
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 18, 2018 and the latest on January 18, 2026. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2016 Audi A5 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 68 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Audi A5 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi A5 years have the most complaints?
2020 (60), 2013 (38), 2010 (34). See every Audi A5 year compared.
What should I do if my 2016 Audi A5 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data