2021 Audi A5 problems

General information about Audi-A5
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

The Audi A5 is a series of compact executive coupé cars produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since June 2007. The A5 range additionally comprises the coupe, cabriolet, and "Sportback" (a five-door liftback with a fastback roofline) version of the Audi A4 saloon and estate models.

Under Audi's internal platform numbering convention, the A5 is a member of the B-platform series of vehicles, sharing its platform designation with the A4 saloon and Avant. The first generation A5 (Type 8T) is therefore a member of the B8 family, whilst the second generation model (Type 8W6) is based on the B9. Both are derived from the Volkswagen MLB (Modular Longitudinal Matrix) architecture.

First generation (2007)

Initial release

When presented at the March 2007 Geneva Motor Show, the A5 marked Audi's return to the compact executive coupé market since the (B3/B4) Audi 80 based coupé model ended production in 1996. On May 10, 2006, Audi confirmed that the A5 would go into production. The B6/B7 A4 spawned a convertible variant but not a coupé. For the fourth-generation A4 (B8), Audi decided to spin off the cabriolet, along with a new coupé and 4-door fastback sedan, into a nameplate of its own as the A5.

The A5 was the first of the B8 family of vehicles to be released (the others being the A4 and the Q5 crossover SUV), all based on the Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which underpin the next generation A6 and A8.

The A5 is the third coupé in Audi's line up, following the second generation TT and the R8. The A5 adopted design elements of the Nuvolari quattro concept car. The A5 debuted with the 3.2 litre FSI V6 engine delivering 195 kW (265 PS; 261 hp).

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Common 2021 Audi A5 problems

The Audi A5, a luxury vehicle produced by Audi, has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. While not all Audi A5 models will experience these issues, here are some of the most common problems reported by Audi A5 owners:

Multitronic gearbox problems: The earliest Audi A5 models, particularly those produced between 2007 and 2016, have had more reported instances of Multitronic gearbox problems. These include transmission failure, power loss or immobility, shuddering, jerking, and unusual noises during acceleration or cruising. Overheating is another problem, particularly during demanding driving conditions or towing heavy loads.

Airbags: Audi has recalled 208,332 cars due to concerns that a seat heater cable problem could disable the front passenger airbag. This affected the 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe and A5 Sportback.

Timing chain problems: All Audi A5 engines, petrol and diesel, have timing chains rather than belts. Timing chains are designed to be more durable than timing belts. However, they are in constant contact with other moving parts and can stretch over time if there is too much tension, resulting in misfires during motion if the pistons and valves are out of place. Replacing timing chains can also be more costly than replacing timing belts because they’re a complex component inside the engine.

Increased oil consumption: Oil consumption is a common problem for many performance vehicles, including the Audi A5. Turbocharged engines tend to consume oil faster due to their higher operating temperatures. The early versions of the TFSI petrol engines found in the A5, A4, and Q5 have a piston ring design flaw that contributes to excessive oil consumption. The piston rings allow small amounts of oil to leak into the cylinders where it burns, increasing oil consumption. Oil consumption problems can affect both diesel and petrol engines.

Interior trim noises: Owners of the Audi A5 have reported experiencing a range of interior trim noises, such as rattling or creaking sounds from the dashboard, door panels, or centre console. It’s unclear what makes these noises and it can differ between vehicles. If you’re experiencing interior trim noise problems with your Audi A5, having a qualified mechanic inspect these areas is a good idea.

Clutch issues: Some Audi A5 owners have reported clutch problems, such as a stiff or difficult-to-press clutch pedal and instances of clutch slippage or complete failure. If you are experiencing clutch-related issues with your Audi A5, have it inspected and repaired by a mechanic.

Coolant pump failure: There have been reports of coolant pump issues in Audi A5 vehicles. Owners have noted instances where the coolant pump fails prematurely, leading to engine overheating. However, this problem isn’t associated with any specific Audi A5 models.

Water pump failure: Premature water pump failure has been reported by some Audi A5 owners, leading to engine overheating. This problem isn’t associated with any specific Audi A5 models.

It's important to note that not all Audi A5 models will experience these issues, and many owners have reported positive experiences with the vehicle. However, potential buyers should be aware of these common problems and consider them when making their purchasing decision.

What is the common problem with Audi A5?

Carbon build-up issues have been reported in Audi A5 vehicles. Excessive carbon build-up can result in engine misfires, leading to poor performance and decreased fuel efficiency. It's worth noting that this problem can impact all Audi A5 models.

Is Audi A5 2021 reliable?

The 2021 Audi A5 has a predicted reliability score of 73 out of 100.

Is Audi A5 maintenance expensive?

An Audi A5 will cost about $8,687 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury hatchback models by $2,668. There is also a 25.29% chance that an A5 will require a major repair during that time.

Is the Audi A5 a good car to buy?

Is the Audi A5 a good car? If you want a coupe that looks chic, classy and feels like a real cut above, the Audi A5 is a good place to start. You'll find it's slightly roomier than the likes of the Mercedes C-Class Coupe inside, but you'll have to pay extra if you want all its high-tech bells and whistles.

What is the common problem with Audi A5?

Is Audi A5 2021 reliable?

The 2021 Audi A5 has a predicted reliability score of 73 out of 100.

What year Audi A5 is most reliable?

As per CarComplaints, the 2014 A5 has only received 29 complaints, and three recalls – making it the most reliable Audi A5 year. On the other hand, Consumer Reports also scored this luxury compact car with a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 in reliability and 4.0 out of 5.0 in owner satisfaction.

Is Audi A5 2.0 T reliable?

U.S. News & World Report states that the 2019 Audi A5 has a stellar 3.5 out of five predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power. Additionally, they state that Audi provides each A5 with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.

2021 Audi A5 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi A5 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Forward collision avoidance problems
Unknown or other problems
Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Audi A5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2021 Audi A5 complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Audi A5.

2024-02-10

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-02-10
VIN: WAUFACF54MA
Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Summary: 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.

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2023-06-11

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2023-06-03
VIN: WAUWAGF50MN
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: My vehicle was repaired pursuant to rearview/backup camera recall (22V742000). Unfortunately, the issue has again arisen and the backup camera alternates between a white screen, a black screen and a frozen screen.

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2021-11-09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2021-10-16
VIN: WA1BAAFY4M2
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: 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 was caused by the vehicle however, the contact stated that she did not cause the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,500.

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2021 Audi A5 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2021 Audi A5.

2022-10-05

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.

2022-01-26

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Components: TIRES
Summary: 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.

2021-08-05

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

2021-04-26

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.

2020-11-25

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: 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.

Positive 2021 Audi A5 car reviews

Brice Purdy 2025-01-04

I've been driving the car for over a month now and I absolutely love it! The ride is smooth and comfortable, and with 4 different driver modes, you can customize the steering response to your liking. The cooled seats are a lifesaver, especially in the Florida heat. It's like a sports car in disguise! Getting in and out can be a bit of a challenge at first, but once you figure out the best way to do it (I use the steering wheel as a support), it's a breeze. The back seats are a bit small, so they're best suited for kids or petite passengers. The electronics are top-notch, although some features (like the lane keeping system) can be a bit tricky to understand. But once you get the hang of it, it's a great tool to have. The virtual dashboard and HUD are definitely the standout features of the car - all the information you need is right in front of you, and you can adjust the display to your preferred eye level. It's worth every penny I paid for it! I actually prepaid the three-year lease and plan on buying it at the end. Just a heads up, the price listed below includes a 6.5% sales tax, and I had to select the coupe designation since there's no sport-back option available.
Drake Bashirian 2024-11-09

I checked out the 4 series gran coupe, the CLA and C class before ultimately deciding on the A5. It offers a unique blend of sporty elegance, practicality and advanced technology. I've been driving it for a year now and I'm still very pleased with my choice. The only minor drawback is the limited interior storage space and small cup holders that cannot accommodate larger beverage containers. However, this is not a major issue for me as I prefer a minimalist lifestyle. Additionally, it would be great if the car had a full panoramic moon roof that extends across the entire roof.
Nick Bosco 2024-11-05

If you know a bit about cars, you'll know that the more power an engine produces, the less fuel efficient it becomes. However, Audi/VW has done an excellent job with their latest EA888 gen 3.5 engine, achieving up to 34 mpg and even up to 40 mpg on a perfect summer day. Audi is the most extreme weather capable vehicle that money can buy, providing luxurious comfort and style. No other car maker comes close to the ease of car control in snow and blizzard conditions. Subaru is probably the only other company that can do this, but I always prefer Audi (and this is my 3rd Audi). On a side note, it's important not to go cheap on tires, especially if you live in a bad weather environment. The Michelin crossclimate 2 is the real deal, gripping so well on many inches of snow like it's a dry road. However, you still need to be careful on braking and rely on your foot sensitivity rather than just ABS. The car has good practicality for its style, with a lot of length in the rear booth allowing for easy transportation of bulky items. This car also comes with a real spare tire, unlike many other brands (BMW). In my opinion, this is what all cars should come with, but they don't these days. My car comes with a cold climate package that has steering heating and rear seat heating. The steering heating is really comfortable and has minimal hot spots. The seats are still made of real leather, unlike many other brands (BMW). If you get a Carista OBD dongle, you can customize the car's display as well as turn off the start/stop function. I never use the start/stop function, so it's permanently turned off, and I still get 34 mpg easily. You can also turn off/on the fake engine noise. If you do that, you'll realize the sound of the engine is practically absent, which is a testament to the amazing engineering of this car. My car has done 88000 miles. Now, onto some CONs:Although the infotainment system does not have a touch screen, it is equipped with real buttons. However, navigating on Carplay may be a bit primitive. The car's ground clearance is less than 10 mm in some areas, and the long front overhang does not help, which has resulted in a few scrapes and scratches on the plastic shield underneath. Additionally, the car does not come with real fog lights, which can be a challenge when driving in bad weather. To address this issue, I installed some aftermarket lights, which have been a great help.
Derrick Huel 2024-10-25

Your 2019 AUDI A5 Cabriolet with Premium Plus Options is a fantastic set of wheels! The black-on-black exterior and interior is absolutely stunning, and the styling and performance are truly awesome. This car is a sports car in disguise and gets lots of attention wherever you go. It's great to hear that you're impressed with your first Audi, especially after primarily driving BMW, MBENZ, Porsche, and Corvette. You might just be an Audi fan for life after owning and driving this A5 convertible!
Ted Hettinger 2024-08-22

This sedan looks and feels like a sports car. The acceleration and handling are superb, and its 4-cylinder engine is fuel-efficient too. It's too bad it was a lease and had to be returned. It was the best car I've ever owned.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2021 Audi A5 problems:

2021 A5 Reliability : r/Audi

https://www.reddit.com/r/Audi/comments/okj2wo/2021_a5_reliability/

Jul 15, 2021 ... S5 is your head turner. The A5 is a pleasant and attractive car, but nothing extraordinary. CR rates it above average in reliability.

2021 Audi A5 Reliability - Consumer Reports

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/audi/a5/2021/reliability/

Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics. Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up ...

How reliable is the Audi S5 Sportback? : r/Audi

https://www.reddit.com/r/Audi/comments/vtctra/how_reliable_is_the_audi_s5_sportback/

Jul 7, 2022 ... The problem lies with maintenance and other small failures. The water pump and thermostat are known to leak (but covered under a lawsuit for up ...