2019 Audi A5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 41.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11258717 · 2019-09-28 (September 28, 2019)
I WAS STOPPED IN A TURN LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS 3 LANES OF OPPOSING TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR US HIGHWAY. . I STARTED THE TURN AND THE PRE-SENSE SYSTEM STOPPED THE CAR AS IT WAS ENTERING THE OPPOSING LANE OF TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A DISASTER AS THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS MOVING APPROXIMATE 50-60 MPH. FORTUNATELY FOR THE ONCOMING CAR, THE LANE ADJACENT WAS EMPTY AT THE MOMENT SO THEY COULD MOVE OVER AND PASS ME SAFELY AS I WAS STUCK IN THE LANE OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11258717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11266473 · 2019-10-05 (October 5, 2019)
THIS IS ANOTHER OCCURRENCE THEREFORE A CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT NUMBER 11258717. ON A SECOND OCCASION WHILE DRIVING IN THE EXPRESS LANES OF AN EXPRESSWAY, THE PRE-SENSE DISPLAYED A CROSSROAD INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON A LIMITED ACCESS EXPRESSWAY IN THE EXPRESS LANES. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD A CAR TAILGATING ME AT THAT TIME? THERE IS SOME SERIOUS SOFTWARE DEFECTS WITH THIS SYSTEM. IS ANYONE GOING TO RESPOND TO THIS?
Owner-reported narrative. 2,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11266473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11445976 · 2022-01-03 (January 3, 2022)
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Steering Malfunction" message displayed on the instrument panel and continued flashing. Moments later the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who discovered that the power steering module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 17,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11445976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500191 · 2023-01-04 (January 4, 2023)
Hello, I was driving down highway at 55mph when my Electric Power steering Failed suddenly. I almost crashed to the barrier as I was in the passing lane. My steering failure message popped up on my instrument cluster and steering wheel became stiff. I had my mom and niece in the vehicle with me. This vehicle could had hurt all three of us. It is difficult to turn the steering wheel now. Failure message is still active.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11587709 · 2024-05-08 (May 8, 2024)
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the message "SOS System Deactivated" was displayed, and the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact shifted to park(P) and shifted back to reverse(R); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle and shifting to reverse(R), the rearview camera became operable, but the message "SOS System Deactivated" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while his wife was at a complete stop two wee…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11587709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11637225 · 2025-01-21 (January 21, 2025)
I drive an 2019 Audi A5 and there is a terrible Auto start/stop malfunction and cruise control malfunction that has made this car unsafe to drive. The Auto start is featured on the A5 to "save gas," but however malfunctions and cuts off while driving or coming to a stop. Tonight on 1/21/2025 at 1:44 am it did just that. While sitting at the light it stalled out, manually crank it up attempt to get thru the light and it cuts off leaving my son and I stranded dead center of the intersection leaving the two of us sitting ducks. I look and there is…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11637225 at NHTSA ↗