2020 Audi S5 problems

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The Audi S5 is one of two high-performance variants of Audi's A5. It is also the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback sedan versions of the fourth-generation (B8) Audi S4 saloon and estate models.

Like all Audi "S" cars, they are only available with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive (4WD) system, here in S5 using a Torsen-based centre diff system.

Most versions of the S5 are manufactured at Audi's plant in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are available as a coupé, cabriolet, and five-door sportback, which was previously not available in North America until the 2018 model year, which was released in the United States in mid 2017. The cabriolets are built at Audi's factory in Neckarsulm, Germany.

2020 Audi S5

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Common 2020 Audi S5 problems

The 2020 Audi S5 is a luxury sports car that is known for its high performance and sleek design. However, like any vehicle, it is not without its common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues by owners of the 2020 Audi S5:

  • A/C Not As Cold As It Should Be: Some owners have reported issues with the air conditioning system not blowing cold air. This could be due to a faulty compressor, refrigerant leak, or other issues. It is recommended to have the system inspected and repaired by a certified technician.
  • Seat Adjustments Not Working: Some owners have reported issues with the seat adjustments not working properly. This could be due to a faulty seat motor or wiring issue. It is recommended to have the seat inspected and repaired by a certified technician.
  • Suspension Problems: Some owners have reported issues with the suspension system, including clunking or knocking noises. This could be due to worn out bushings, struts, or other suspension components. It is recommended to have the suspension system inspected and repaired by a certified technician.
  • Blown Turbo: Some owners have reported issues with the turbocharger failing or blowing. This could be due to a variety of issues, including poor maintenance, faulty components, or manufacturing defects. It is recommended to have the turbocharger inspected and repaired by a certified technician.
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Issues: Some owners have reported issues with the TPMS light coming on, indicating an issue with one or more of the tires. This could be due to low tire pressure, a slow leak, or a faulty TPMS sensor. It is recommended to have the system inspected and repaired by a certified technician.
  • Alignment Issues: Some owners have reported issues with the alignment, including uneven tire wear or pulling to one side. This could be due to a variety of issues, including worn out suspension components or a misaligned axle. It is recommended to have the alignment inspected and adjusted by a certified technician.

It is important to note that not all 2020 Audi S5 owners have reported these issues, and many have reported a positive ownership experience. However, it is recommended to be aware of these common problems and to schedule regular maintenance and inspections to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

2020 Audi S5 engine

Are Audi's S5 reliable?

Audi S5 owners report bringing their vehicle in for sudden fixes 1.2 times a year, double the . 6 average for other luxury mid-size vehicles. If there is a need to bring the car in, there is a 17% chance the trouble will be severe, much higher than the 12% average of other luxury vehicles.

Is Audi S5 high maintenance?

An Audi S5 will cost about $9,094 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury hatchback models by $2,261. There is also a 25.29% chance that a S5 will require a major repair during that time.

Is Audi S5 worth the money?

Upgrading to the S5 costs almost $10,000 over the base A5 but if you're like us you'll find the extra performance well worth it. The S5's personality is a little tamer than some of its direct competition, though, which include the Caddy CT4-V Blackwing and the Mercedes-AMG C43.

Is an Audi S5 expensive to run?

Fuel economy

A high performance car with more than 300bhp is never going to be cheap to run and the S5 is no exception. The V8 coupe model averages just 23mpg and although the Cabriolet is better with 30mpg, it's far from economical.

Are Audi's S5 reliable?

Audi S5 owners report bringing their vehicle in for sudden fixes 1.2 times a year, double the . 6 average for other luxury mid-size vehicles. If there is a need to bring the car in, there is a 17% chance the trouble will be severe, much higher than the 12% average of other luxury vehicles.

Is Audi S5 high maintenance?

An Audi S5 will cost about $9,094 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury hatchback models by $2,261. There is also a 25.29% chance that a S5 will require a major repair during that time.

Is Audi S5 worth the money?

Upgrading to the S5 costs almost $10,000 over the base A5 but if you're like us you'll find the extra performance well worth it. The S5's personality is a little tamer than some of its direct competition, though, which include the Caddy CT4-V Blackwing and the Mercedes-AMG C43.

When did Audi stop making the S5?

Audi S5
ManufacturerAudi AG
Production2007–present
AssemblyGermany: Ingolstadt Germany: Neckarsulm
DesignerWalter de Silva

2020 Audi S5 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi S5 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Unknown or other problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Audi S5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2020 Audi S5 complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Audi S5.

2023-01-15

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-11-18
  • VIN: WAUC4CF59LA
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: This vehicle has a failed SOS module, which breaks hands free Bluetooth/emergency calling, which is a safety concern. This also breaks parts of the MMI system that were purchased but now do not function as designed. Audi of America does not seem to take this issue very seriously, as there was a recall but it was cancelled, yet there are still thousands of vehicles affected. I have spoken to several people with same make/model/year vehicle as mine and they have the same exact symptoms. AoA has not seemingly corrected supply chain issues with this defective part. I have been waiting 2+ months for a fix, with little to no timeframe of resolution since purchasing the vehicle. I feel that AoA needs to make more of a good-faith effort for this problem, due to length of resolution.
2022-09-08

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-09-06
  • VIN: WAUR4AF5XLA
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: SOS, Bluetooth hands free are all failing to operate
2022-05-13

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-05-13
  • VIN: WAUC4CF52LA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The Emergency Call Module Control Unit has now failed for the second time. If the vehicle were to be involved in a crash, the system will not be able to automatically call for assistance. Vehicle is already subject to Audi service campaign 90T2 to reflash emergency call module control unit, however the unit in my vehicle could not be flashed due to it having intermittent errors. The local Audi dealer is stating the next available appointment to diagnose the issue is in three months. After diagnosis there may be a longer wait to obtain required parts. It is dangerous for a safety critical part like this to be out of action for at least 3 months. Audi should place a higher priority on repairing this issue.

2020 Audi S5 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2020 Audi S5.

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.
2021-11-10
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: 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.
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.

Negative 2020 Audi S5 car reviews

  1. Collin Spinka 2024-08-04

    Driving this car was great. However, the trim at the bottom of the door hits you in the bottom of your calf when entering, which is a major problem. Unfortunately, this issue kept me from buying the Audi S5.

  2. William Strosin 2024-03-21

    Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my S5 cabrio. I had a blast driving it for 15 days, but unfortunately on day 16, the transmission broke down after around 600 miles. It was a bit of a struggle to make it back home, but thankfully I did. I've been waiting for almost a week now to have it replaced, but I'm still hopeful that it will be fixed soon. While I do have some regrets about buying it instead of leasing, I'm still looking forward to getting back on the road with my S5 cabrio once it's all sorted out.

  3. Myrl Weimann 2024-02-28

    It's worth noting that some features that come standard on Japanese competitors are only available as extra cost options on the Audi. While the base price is attractive, getting the S5 out the door can make it a less appealing value proposition. Additionally, some dealers may be less willing to offer discounts on this model, which can make it harder to find a good deal. That being said, it may be worth exploring other options to find the best value for your needs.

Positive 2020 Audi S5 car reviews

  1. Bret Mueller 2024-11-17

    Best car ever! It's comfortable and speedy, and the sleek lines draw people in. Everyone wants to look at it. Plus, it has great gas mileage and tons of space with the hatch.

  2. Gaylord Schmidt 2024-11-12

    Great German quality! This outstanding vehicle boasts exceptional technology and performance. Even after 5 years, the build quality is still top-notch. I recently replaced the brakes, rotors, and tires, and the handling and performance are still fantastic. For everyday use, the single turbo is more than enough. The only downside is the lack of rear cup holders, but that's a minor inconvenience. 😆

  3. Valentin Murray 2024-11-08

    I loved my 2010 version of this car, despite the repairs costing me more than owning a Camry for 18 years! So, I decided to upgrade to the newer version with the turbo V6 instead of the older supercharged V6. The difference in the feel of the car is dramatic. The interior has also been significantly upgraded in terms of the quality of materials and user interface (I especially love the Virtual Cockpit). I'm just hoping that I won't experience a 'mechatronic control module' failure at 40k miles like last time, as it was quite an expensive fix. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want to drive anything else right now. It's the perfect car for enjoying the sunny weather in California.

  4. Clemens Marvin 2024-10-06

    Very comfortable, smooth ride, and great acceleration. In comparison to other luxury cars, it's cheaper and has great leather sporty seats that make long rides more comfortable.

  5. Pete Gutmann 2024-09-20

    Looking for a car that's perfect for both track and everyday driving? Look no further! This car is the perfect fit for you. It has more than enough power to pass most cars on the road, without sacrificing comfort or space. I have the S sport package, black optics, bang&olufsen, virtual cockpit, leather seats, carbon fiber inlays, and cold weather package. Here are some pros: You're able to drop the back seats to create more trunk space (perks of a hatch). More than enough power to pass most vehicles on the road. This vehicle provides such smooth and strong acceleration that you won't even realize you're doing 70 until you look at the gauge. It handles like it's glued to the ground. When you turn the steering wheel, the car goes exactly where you want it to go. It's pretty amazing seeing other people's reaction to driving my car when it comes to this (shoutout to Quattro). Audis virtual cockpit is ahead of the competition in terms of it being easy to use and not clustered. The interior and exterior looks are amazing. The interior is filled with quality materials and I always get compliments on the aesthetics of the vehicle. However, there are some cons: There is an annoying lag off the throttle. When you push the gas, there's a 2-3 second delay before the power is delivered. This may have intentionally been left this way to leave a gap between the rs5 and this in terms of performance. Although the car has more than enough power, it's still underpowered compared to the m340i and maybe even the c43. Getting rid of that throttle lag could have closed the gap a bit. There are some rattling noises sometimes as you're driving. At a whopping 63k msrp, you'd expect some basic things like heads up display, a 360 camera, or the interior lights package to be standard. Also, Audi needs to get with the times and provide a remote start option. BMW has it, what's taking you so long?

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2020 Audi S5 problems:

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

2020 Audi S5 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2020 Audi S5 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/audi/s5/2020/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2020 Audi S5? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

Considering 2020 S5 (CPO) .. how is maintenance and are there ...
Considering 2020 S5 (CPO) .. how is maintenance and are there ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/Audi/comments/17zri57/considering_2020_s5_cpo_how_is_maintenance_and/

Nov 20, 2023 ... based on my search, B9? and transmission seems pretty solid in this car.. any other common issues with this car I should look for or do further ...

Here Are The Audi S5 Years To Avoid - CoPilot
Here Are The Audi S5 Years To Avoid - CoPilot
https://www.copilotsearch.com/posts/audi-s5-years-to-avoid/

Jan 10, 2022 ... Common Problems With The Audi S5 · Low Coolant · A/C Not As Cold As It Should Be · Seat Adjustments Not Working · Suspension Problems · Blown Turbo ...

2018/19 S5 Reliability Issues? - AudiWorld Forums
2018/19 S5 Reliability Issues? - AudiWorld Forums
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/audi-a5-s5-rs5-coupe-cabrio-b9-220/2018-19-s5-reliability-issues-2987847/

Feb 12, 2020 ... Audi A5 / S5 / RS5 Coupe & Cabrio (B9). 2018/19 S5 Reliability Issues? Subscribe · dmr2004's Avatar. dmr2004 , 02-12-2020 06:04 AM. AudiWorld ...

Other years of Audi S5

audi s5 2021 photo
S5 2021
Audi

1

5

24

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
audi s5 2023 photo
S5 2023
Audi

1

1

27

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
audi s5 2008 photo
S5 2008
Audi

3

0

8

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
audi s5 2010 photo
S5 2010
Audi

19

0

14

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
audi s5 2011 photo
S5 2011
Audi

0

1

16

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
audi s5 2012 photo
S5 2012
Audi

10

1

16

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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