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U.S. public vehicle records

2019 Audi A5: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

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.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior541.7%
Steering behavior216.7%
Transmission and shifting18.3%
Engine operation18.3%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Vehicle Speed Control4
Steering3
Electrical System2
Air Bags1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

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.

2019
2
2020
1
2021
3
2022
3
2023
1
2024
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20192
20201
20213
20223
20231
20241
20251

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.

Examples from the source records

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 11298504 · 2020-01-10 (January 10, 2020)

ON TWO OCCASIONS SO FAR, WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION, THE PRE-SENSE SYSTEM DETECTED AN ONCOMING CAR WAY TOO EARLY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD JUST AS I WAS WELL INTO THE TURN AND NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION BEFORE I BECAME A DANGER TO THE ONCOMING CAR. THIS PUT ME INTO A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM AWARE THAT THE SENSITIVITY CAN BE ADJUSTED BUT, IN THIS CASE, THERE WAS NO DANGER AT ALL UNTIL MY CAR BRAKED SUDDENLY AS I WAS TRYING TO COMPLETE MY TURN SAFELY. THAT ACTUALLY CREATED A HAZARD. AS WITH …

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11298504 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11415053 · 2021-05-03 (May 3, 2021)

WATER IS COLLECTING IN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WELL OR THE DOOR SILL. WATER SLOSHING IS HEARD WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING FROM STOP. PROBLEM IS MORE SEVERE AFTER RAINS OR CAR WASHES.

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415053 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11432815 · 2021-09-13 (September 13, 2021)

On three different occasions, I have experienced automatic emergency braking of the car which, rather than keeping me safe, placed me in a very dangerous situation. Each time, I was in a controlled intersection on a green light and in the left turn lane, with oncoming traffic also having a green light. When it was amply safe to make the left turn, with oncoming traffic at a safe distance from the intersection, I began my left turn. Just as my car was turning in front of that oncoming traffic, and just as I needed to proceed safely and promptly …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432815 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11436024 · 2021-10-08 (October 8, 2021)

I was driving when the rear of my car began vibrating, then fishtailing and I lost control and hit a curb resulting in mostly forward damage. In reviewing the Preliminary Estimate from the auto-shop and insurance adjuster, there was quite a bit of damage to the Rear Suspension including a broken Trailing arm lock nut, washer, and bolt, as well as the Protector lining, lower control arm, its lock nut and the control arm mount bolt. The broken rear axle components caused me to lose control of my vehicle resulting in forward impact with a curb. My…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436024 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 11467198 · 2022-06-02 (June 2, 2022)

The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, all four doors of the vehicle locked independently while she was outside of the vehicle and in possession of the keys. The contact was unable to unlock the door of the vehicle using the key fob or the keys manually. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s son who was occupying the vehicle assisted her in unlocking the doors. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while her two-year-old daughter was in the car seat on t…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11467198 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V295000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly

Reported: 2021-04-26 (April 26, 2021)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V874000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | Seats

Reported: 2021-11-10 (November 10, 2021)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

Consequence: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V034000 · Tires | Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly

Reported: 2022-01-26 (January 26, 2022)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

NHTSA campaign record ↗