2021 Audi A5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
30,148 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 42.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Power Train: 1; Seats: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (1). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 11439892 · 2021-11-09 (November 9, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, after shifting from reverse to drive the vehicle lost all power. 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. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by the dealer. The contact stated that the water damage wa…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11439892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11700320 · 2025-11-19 (November 19, 2025)
I was driving down the interstate when my Warning Transmission Failure light came on. Then another message said you can drive with limited use if vehicle. Seconds later the Warning Transmission Failure light came on again and said drive to your nearest repair shop. Moments later the Warning came on and said safely stop your vehicle. I pulled over on the side of the road and pit my car in park. After doing so the Warning Transmission Failure stayed on and the car no longer would shift into any gears. The car never overheated or stopped running. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11700320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11571158 · 2024-02-10 (February 10, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11571158 at NHTSA ↗