AI DamageAudi A5: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Audi A5 across 12 model years: 99 owner complaints and 2,402 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 48% of all complaints
- 2 Backover prevention 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 48 complaints (48% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2,669.
- Backover prevention: 16 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 68.
- Engine: 8 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 364.
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 408.
- Forward collision avoidance: 5 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2010–2027
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2008–2010
- 2 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2021–2025
- automatic, 6-speed 2008–2010
- automatic, 8-speed 2011–2017
- CVT 2010–2014
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2018–2027
- manual, 6-speed 2008–2018
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 99 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 48 | 0 | 2,669 |
| Backover prevention | 16 | 0 | 68 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 364 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 408 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 0 | 37 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 408 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 71 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 819 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 353 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 351 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 184 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 59 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My brother lost control from the tires being worn unevenly wich caused him to lose traction. The airbags in the car on the passenger side where the steel pole made contact, failed to deploy. The seatbelt was defective because he was seatbelted and the belt broke.
I was driving when the rear of my car began vibrating, then fishtailing and I lost control and hit a curb resulting in mostly forward damage. In reviewing the Preliminary Estimate from the auto-shop and insurance adjuster, there was quite a bit of damage to the Rear Suspension including a broken Trailing arm lock nut,…
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.
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.
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, sounding like a collision. Fortunately, there was no collision.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
- This bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off
- This bulletin provides information regarding setup in the Audi Connect app for digital key
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when DTC…
- This bulletin is a help guide for Audi connect remote start
- This bulletin provides information when one or more delctric exterior door handles cannot be reached after…
- This bulletin provides information when one or more electric extrerior door handles cannot be reached af…
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when…
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when…
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when…
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians enter a record in the PSS databse in…
- This bulletin provides information when there is a driver system fault, or an MIL - DTC P060C00 symptom…
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.