2019 Audi S5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
43,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Engine: 3; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Wheels: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 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: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 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 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2021: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 11404550 · 2021-03-23 (March 23, 2021)
THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) DID NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED, AND PRESSURE WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED THE TIRES OVER A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (2-6 WEEKS). I AM CONCERNED GOING FORWARD IF THE TPMS UTILIZED ON THE S5 DOES NOT FUNCTION AS SHOULD BE EXPECTED PER FEDERAL REGULATIONS. PER 49 CFR 571.138 WHEN PRESSURE OF 1 TIRE UP TO 4 TIRES IS < 25% BELOW COLD INFLATION PRESSURE, A LOW PRESSURE WARNING SHOULD ILLUMINATE AND REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE TPMS SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED AN ALERT WHEN ONE OR MORE OF MY TIRES WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11621297 · 2024-10-22 (October 22, 2024)
Our gas tank fuel level sensor is faulty so we can no longer tell how much gas is in our car. The check engine and fuel light are permanently on. This fuel sensor malfunction caused me to run out of gas in the middle of the road. The only way to fix it is to replace the entire gas tank at great expense. We were quoted $3500-$4000. We only have 44K miles on the vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11621297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11638456 · 2025-01-25 (January 25, 2025)
Water pump failure due to coolant migration.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638456 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11703321 · 2025-12-05 (December 5, 2025)
Upon starting the vehicle while parked on 10/18/2025, dashboard displayed warning: "Turn off engine and check coolant level. See owner's manual." Visual inspection revealed coolant residue on mechanical coolant pump switching valve N649 on cylinder head bank 1, indicating water pump internal seal failure allowing coolant to leak into vacuum control system. Component failed: Water pump (EA839 3.0T engine) - vacuum-actuated design with internal seal failure. Component available for inspection. Safety risk: This documented design defect in EA839…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11703321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712240 · 2026-01-20 (January 20, 2026)
I am writing to file a formal safety defect complaint regarding the EA839 3.0T turbocharged V6 engine installed in various Audi models, including but not limited to the B9/B9.5 S4 and S5, C8 A6 and A7, and 4M/4M.5 Q7 and Q8 (model years approximately 2017 onward). This engine has a well-documented issue with piston skirt wear and failure, which I believe constitutes a significant safety hazard due to the potential for sudden engine failure and loss of vehicle power while driving. As an owner of a 2019 Audi S5, I have experienced symptoms relate…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11738960 · 2026-05-20 (May 20, 2026)
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Audi S5. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 47,796 at the time of registration. The Carfax report, bill of sale and title showed the mileage as 47, 796. it was discovered that the mileage was 75,600 after changing the battery. The BBB and Consumer Protection Agency were contacted.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11738960 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.
19V114000 · Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber
Reported: 2019-02-20 (February 20, 2019)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Q7, Q8, S5 Cabriolet, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The front shock absorber forks may develop cracks allowing the shock absorbers to loosen.
Consequence: Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the shock absorber forks, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 40O4.
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 ↗