2016 Audi A5: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONTACT A LOCAL DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11130219 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A5. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A THREE POINT TURN WITH THE SHIFTER IN THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND MOVED APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 FEET WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. AUDI OF EATONTOWN (95 NJ-36, EATONTOWN, NJ) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11228900 at NHTSA ↗

The drive chain broke, causing permanent damage to the engine which requires a complete engine replacement. The car was 5 + years old with 38,000 miles on it and well maintained.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431232 at NHTSA ↗

Electromechanical steering rack has gone out. Had this completely failed while driving myself and others could be put in serious harm of a collision or crash. There are many online complaints and issues with the audi steering racks. No other warnings then it just went out at the same time it tells you stop driving.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578259 at NHTSA ↗

Car went into limp mode and check engine light came on.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11612873 at NHTSA ↗

On August 3, 2025, my wife and I came home from dinner and I couldn’t get out of the driver’s side door. I took it to Naples Audi where I bought the car and delt with its Assistant Service Manager and Service Advisor. Audi estimated the repair to be over $1,300. I called Audi USA Regional Customer Service and Mike B opened a Case 06968056 for me. He got back to me today, August 7, and said Audi Corporate and Naples Audi will still make me pay $800 to do the repair. I'm submitting this claim because an inoperable door handle is a huge sa…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11679117 at NHTSA ↗

Immediately after taking it home from a dealership, I noticed the MMI system wasn’t turning on. I figured it would fix itself, but it’s been 4 days and nothing has happened. The screen stays black when starting the car. When I reset the MMI by holding the volume knob for 10 seconds, it briefly turns on but shuts itself off right after.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11711758 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

Reported: 2017-10-05 (October 5, 2017)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.

Consequence: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.

Reported: 2018-04-11 (April 11, 2018)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.