2020 Audi A5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
60 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 60 complaints (68.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 41 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 14 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 9 |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Bluetooth/Wifi | 1 |
Electrical System: 41; Unknown Or Other: 25; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 14; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 9; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Air Bags: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Bluetooth/Wifi: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 59 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 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 51 |
2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 51
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11431662 · 2021-09-03 (September 3, 2021)
Where I am currently living, speed is measured on the roads in km/h. My vehicle allows the speedometer digital display screen (Audi virtual cockpit) to be switched to display MPH or km/h. When working correctly, the speedometer should display the speed with digits and an analog simulation. The display works perfectly when in MPH, however when switching to km/h the analog simulation properly shows km/h, but the digital reading will switch to km/h for a split second but then immediately reverts back to MPH. This defect was confirmed by 2 Audi ser…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431662 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446743 · 2022-01-08 (January 8, 2022)
Rear backup camera displays black screen when engaging into reverse gear. This happens 95% of the time. Begun Occurring after 10k dealer service. Probably related to recall on 2022 models with same infotainment system.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475875 · 2022-07-26 (July 26, 2022)
Our 2020 Audi A5 experienced a module failure affecting SOS (Loud) audible alarm that sounds every 2-4 minutes when driving and also affects bluetooth connection for hands free phone. Told by Audi dealership there was a recall, then removed for this due to lack of available parts from Audi. This very loud alarm sounds every 2-4 minutes while driving and is variable so can easily scare driving/distract. Audi dealership said at least 5 other customers also have this present issue and have for months and they have no idea when Audi will send repla…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500317 · 2023-01-05 (January 5, 2023)
2020 Audi A5 sportback SOS module malfunctioned in May 2021 and was replaced. Recall for 90t2 SOS module initiated. In June 2022, the malfunctioned occurred again. There has since been no fixes or estimated time of delivery.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544867 · 2023-09-16 (September 16, 2023)
The blue tooth , gos, CarPlay and emergency sos not working. I looked online and there was a recall, but Audi is no longer honoring the recall to fix this issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11561023 · 2023-12-20 (December 20, 2023)
Audi issued a service bulletin 90T2 in regards to the telematics control module failure. With this failure the Bluetooth feature in this car no longer works. Most if not all states have adopted laws in regards to hands free devices. This is a know issue with Audi and this has lapeciric year car however there is no recourse in getting it repaired except to pay out of pocket. The is a $2200 dollar repair and insane for a consumer to have to pay when the company knows this part is faulty.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11561023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11604631 · 2024-07-26 (July 26, 2024)
My brother lost control from the tires being worn unevenly wich caused him to lose traction. The airbags in the car on the passenger side where the steel pole made contact, failed to deploy. The seatbelt was defective because he was seatbelted and the belt broke.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11604631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11605986 · 2024-08-01 (August 1, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it was noticed that the driver's side window had failed to remain up as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective window regulator. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure with an unknown recall; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11605986 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V737000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | Electrical System
Reported: 2020-11-25 (November 25, 2020)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
Consequence: Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗