AI Damage2020 Audi S5: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Audi S5 filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and backover prevention. The maker issued 938 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 938
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 56% of all complaints
- 2 Backover prevention 44% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 24% of all complaints
- 4 Lane departure 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (56% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 287.
- Backover prevention: 11 complaints (44% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Forward collision avoidance: 6 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Lane departure: 2 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 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 | 14 | 0 | 287 |
| Backover prevention | 11 | 0 | 9 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 219 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 99 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 41 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 41 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| 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.
This is a safety issue since if I am backing up and the MMI reboots I lose the backup camera and when the MMI reboots I also lose collision/parking/proximity sensors. This issue started happening with my Audi on 7/26/25 and can be reproduced every time the ignition is on or car is running.
This issue presents a significant safety hazard because critical sensor information and vehicle status displays, which are shown on the infotainment screen, become unavailable during each restart cycle.
Sudden reboot of the vehicle's infotainment system, which then repeats every 60-90 seconds consistently. The reboot has happened while reversing the vehicle, which results in losing view of the backup camera and parking sensors / rear cross traffic detection.
This causes certain safety features like the backup camera to stop working when in use. I am not sure what the cause is but this seems to be a more common issue with the 2020 Audi's.
MMI system is failing, parking assist is malfunctioning, back up camera doesn’t activate, CarPlay turns off mid drive and reboots, navigation not working, car wants to brake at highway speeds as computer system malfunctions, Bluetooth phone connection drops mid call, overall the computer infotainment system has failed.
Component or System that Failed or Malfunctioned: The infotainment system in my vehicle fails frequently and unpredictably. This includes both the built-in system and connected features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is available for inspection upon request.
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 1,162 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 45% least complained about).
On average one model year of the S5 has 5 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 25, above average.
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.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Lane departure. Windshield camera: calibration after windshield replacement.
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 there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment;…
- 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 about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- 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 infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the…
This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped
- This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning
NHTSA lists 938 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 2020 Audi S5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, backover prevention, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (60%), rear-view camera (48%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Audi S5?
NHTSA lists 938 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 2020 Audi S5 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 2020 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.