AI Damage2021 Audi A5: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Audi A5 filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 1,053 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,053
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 13% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 347.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 57.
- Engine: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Seats: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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 | 2 | 0 | 347 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 57 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 38 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 260 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 106 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 46 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 41 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 19 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? TRANSMISSION - GEAR SHIFT How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS AND WE WHEN THE CAR INSTRUCTED US TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY IT WASN'T A SAFE PLACE TO STOP THE CAR.
The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on in my Audi no matter if there is or is not a passenger in the seat. I took my vehicle to an authorized Audi service center to have the issue checked and they determined the issue to be a failed pods mat based on the error code returned.
A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer was waiting for the parts to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened.
There was no damage caused. The audi pre sense technology (automatic braking) has come close to causing several accidents by braking extremely hard when there has been no reason to brake.
The contact stated that various warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as the gateway under the rear seat was wet. The gateway and battery needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,555 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 26% least complained about).
On average one model year of the A5 has 8 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 8, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
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 states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off
- This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate
- This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel
- This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim
- This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking…
This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer
- This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped
- This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning
- This bulletin provides informaiton when the airbag warning lamp is active, event memory "B200000 - Faulty…
This bulletin provides informaiton when the airbag warning lamp is active, event memory "B200000 - Faulty control module, symptom 305".
- This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels
NHTSA lists 1,053 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi A5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), rear-view camera (13%), overheating, coolant loss (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Audi A5?
NHTSA lists 1,053 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Audi A5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
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.