The most-documented Audi A5 problems are 2.0 TFSI oil consumption on 2010–2011 cars (TSB 2027731), EA888 timing chain failures on 2010–2015 cars, the coolant pump fire recall 18V229 on 2013–2017 cars, and driver-airbag inflator recall 18V082 on 2010–2012 Cabriolets. B9 cars have passenger airbag-sensor recall 21V874 and V6 coolant pump leaks on S5/RS 5.
CarWhere lists 12 documented A5 issues, including 9 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.
A5 generations at a glance
Audi A5 generations and the known issues listed for each
Audi bulletin TSB 2027731 covers high oil consumption on 2010–2011 A5 and A5 Cabriolet (plus 2009–2011 A4 and 2011 Q5) with the 2.0L TFSI. Audi says internal crankcase pressure can raise oil use, especially in stop-and-go driving with long idles; the fix is a new crankcase pressure-regulating valve, a new front crankshaft seal and engine software, and crankcase pressure was reduced in production from model year 2012. A federal class settlement (Asghari v. Volkswagen) covered the same CAEB-engine cars and received final judgment on May 29, 2015.
Symptoms
Low-oil warning between oil changes
Having to add oil regularly
Blue smoke on start-up (in severe cases)
Check before buying
Check the oil level on the dipstick or MMI before buying
Ask for records showing TSB 2027731 parts (PCV valve, crankshaft seal, software) were installed
Two class settlements in New Jersey federal court alleged the EA888 2.0 TFSI timing chain system can fail early. Timing Chain I covered 2010–2013 A5 Coupe and Cabriolet along with other EA888 Audis; Timing Chain II covered 2012–2015 A4, A5 and Q5. Both reimburse qualifying repairs and extend coverage for timing chain or tensioner failure to 10 years or 100,000 miles from the in-service date, subject to claim rules. A failed tensioner can let the chain jump and damage the engine.
Symptoms
Rattle from the engine for a few seconds after a cold start
Check-engine light with cam/crank correlation codes
Engine will not start or stalls if the chain has skipped
Check before buying
Listen to a true cold start for chain rattle
Ask whether the timing chain tensioner has been replaced with the updated part, and for the receipt
Scan for stored camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes
Driver airbag inflator can rupture on Cabriolets (recall 18V082) (2010–2012)
Safety recall
Generation:
B8 (2009–2017)
Years:
2010–2012
Powertrain:
All (A5/S5 Cabriolet)
Volkswagen recalled 2010–2012 A5 and S5 Cabriolets (with 2006–2013 A3 and 2009–2012 Q5) because excessive pressure can make the driver’s frontal airbag inflator explode on deployment. Dealers fit an alternative inflator; 18V082 partially supersedes 16V078.
Symptoms
No symptoms before a crash
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
S5 fuel injection system can leak (recall 15V019) (2011–2012)
Safety recall
Generation:
B8 (2009–2017)
Years:
2011–2012
Powertrain:
S5 (see recall for engine applicability)
Volkswagen recalled 2011–2012 S5 (with S4, Q7, 2012 A6 and 2012–2013 A7) because the fuel injection system may leak and create a fire risk. Dealers replace the fuel rails and seals free of charge.
Symptoms
Fuel smell from the engine bay
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Audi recalled 2013–2017 A5 and A5 Cabriolet (with 2013–2016 A4 and allroad, Q5 and 2012–2015 A6) with the 2.0 TFSI because the electric coolant (after-run) pump can be blocked by debris or short-circuit from moisture, overheat and raise the risk of a fire. Recall 17V002 first added software that cuts power to a blocked pump; recall 18V229 then replaced the pumps free of charge.
Symptoms
Coolant-temperature or coolant-system warning
Fan or pump running after shutdown
Burning smell from the engine bay
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Confirm both 17V002 (software) and 18V229 (pump replacement) are closed
Auxiliary heater connector can overheat (recall 17V622) (2013–2016)
Safety recall
Generation:
B8 (2009–2017)
Years:
2013–2016
Powertrain:
All
Contact corrosion in the auxiliary heater’s electrical connector on 2013–2016 A5 Coupes and Cabriolets (plus A4 and Q5) can overheat or melt the wires and raise the risk of fire. Dealers replace the auxiliary heater and update software as needed.
Symptoms
Burning smell from the dashboard area
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Passenger airbag can be disabled by a seat-heater cable fault (recall 21V874) (2018–2020)
Safety recall
Generation:
B9 (2018–2024)
Years:
2018–2020
Powertrain:
All
A contact fault in the cable linking the seat heater to the passenger occupant detection system on 2018–2020 A5 Coupe, Cabriolet and Sportback, S5 and 2018–2019 RS 5 can make the system disable the passenger airbag. Dealers replace the cable and heating mat or seat cover. It expands earlier recall 19V547.
Symptoms
Passenger airbag-off light lit with an adult seated
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
An incorrect positive battery terminal cover was fitted to some 2018–2019 RS 5 Coupes. In a rear crash it can compromise the 12-volt supply, so the doors may not open from outside and the hazard lights may not work. Dealers replace the cover.
Symptoms
No symptoms in normal driving
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
The rear-light wiring harness near the spare-wheel well on 2020–2021 A5 and S5 Sportbacks and 2021 RS 5 Sportbacks may lack anti-abrasion protection. In a rear crash the wires could be damaged, disabling outside door opening and the hazard lights.
Symptoms
No symptoms in normal driving
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
The rear-axle trailing-arm lock nut on 2019–2021 A5 Sportback and RS 5 and 2020–2021 A5 Coupe and Cabriolet and S5 models can break from stress corrosion and misalign the rear axle. 21V295 replaced the nuts; 22V034 checks the rear alignment on cars repaired without an alignment inspection.
Symptoms
Car pulls or tracks oddly
Uneven rear tire wear
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Audi bulletin TSB 2070349 covers coolant loss traced to the coolant pump on V6 TFSI engines, listing 2018–2024 S5 Coupe, Cabriolet and Sportback and 2021–2024 RS 5. The revision notes that in some cases a P0299 underboost code is logged because coolant from the leaking pump contaminates a switch valve. Outside warranty the bulletin is informational only.
Symptoms
Coolant warning lamp
Coolant level dropping with no obvious puddle
Check-engine light, sometimes with an underboost code
Check before buying
Check the coolant reservoir level cold
Ask for records of any coolant-pump replacement
Have a pre-purchase inspection pressure-test the cooling system
Front seat belt retractor torsion bar may be damaged (recall 25V638) (2025)
Safety recall
Generation:
B10 (2025–present)
Years:
2025
Powertrain:
All
The torsion bar in one or both front seat belt retractors of some 2025 A5 and S5 models may have been damaged in production and could fail in a crash, so the belt may not restrain the occupant properly.
Symptoms
No symptoms before a crash
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Owners filed 477 complaints about the Audi A5 with NHTSA for the model years below, the most for the 2020 model year (85). The components cited most often are air bags, electrical system and engine. Counts are raw filings, not rates: newer and higher-volume years naturally collect more, and a complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.
NHTSA owner complaints for the Audi A5 by model year (all US body styles and S/RS variants, de-duplicated by NHTSA complaint number), as of November 2026
Model year
Complaints
Crash or fire reported
Injury reported
Safety-critical component
2026
2
0
0
1
2025
9
0
0
2
2024
8
0
0
4
2023
8
0
0
0
2022
8
0
0
2
2021
11
0
0
2
2020
85
1
0
1
2019
21
1
0
7
2018
36
2
1
19
2017
2
0
0
2
2016
8
0
0
5
2015
13
0
0
6
2014
40
0
0
30
2013
61
5
3
54
2012
46
1
0
12
2011
38
1
1
11
2010
70
0
0
28
2009
11
0
0
8
Most-cited components across these years: Air bags (104) · Electrical system (102) · Engine (86) · Unknown or other (77) · Power train (46) · Steering (33). A complaint can name more than one component.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints database, queried by CarWhere for every NHTSA model name filed for this nameplate (A5, A5 CABRIOLET, A5 COUPE, A5 SEDAN, A5 SPORTBACK, AUDI A5, AUDI A5 COUPE, AUDI A5 SPORTBACK, AUDI S5, RS 5, RS5, S5, S5 SPORTBACK). “Safety-critical component” counts complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or death, or name the engine, power train, steering, service brakes or fuel system.
Related A5 research
This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.
Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Audi build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
Audi bulletin TSB 2027731 covers 2010–2011 A5 Coupes and Cabriolets with the 2.0L TFSI (engine code CAEB), and the Asghari class settlement covered the same cars. Audi reduced crankcase pressure in production from model year 2012.
Does the Audi A5 have timing chain problems?
2010–2013 A5s were in the Timing Chain I class settlement and 2012–2015 A5s in Timing Chain II, both over the EA888 2.0 TFSI chain tensioner. The settlements extend coverage for chain or tensioner failure to 10 years or 100,000 miles from the in-service date.
Is there a coolant pump recall on the Audi A5?
Yes. 17V002 and 18V229 cover 2013–2017 A5s with the 2.0 TFSI. The electric coolant pump can be blocked by debris or short-circuit and overheat, which can cause a fire. Dealers updated software and replaced the pumps.
Do the Audi S5 and RS 5 have engine problems?
Audi bulletin TSB 2070349 covers coolant pump leaks on 2018–2024 S5 and 2021–2024 RS 5 V6 engines, and TSB 2053278 covers cylinder-head oil leaks on 2019 and some 2021 RS 5s. Both are repair bulletins, not recalls.
How do I check a used Audi A5 for open recalls?
Enter the VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup or have an Audi dealer run it. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or owner, and the dealer can print the completed-campaign history.
Sources
Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by AUDI AG or Audi of America. Audi, quattro, TFSI, S tronic, e-tron and the model names are trademarks of their owners.