YearToAvoid

2014 Audi A5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 A5 years

The 2014 Audi A5 has 28 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th out of 16 model years — a Caution verdict. Engine issues (39% of complaints) and steering complaints (32%) are the main concerns, alongside 3 recalls.

Complaints
28
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
21 city / 30 hwy

Top 2014 Audi A5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine11 (39%)
  2. Steering9 (32%)
  3. Electrical System7 (25%)
  4. Other4 (14%)
  5. Fuel System2 (7%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (7%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
  8. HVAC1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Backup camera view is overridden by an incoming Bluetooth phone call, cutting the reverse view during backing up.
  • Check engine light triggers on the highway with a failed hydraulic timing chain tensioner, preventing upshifts beyond 6th gear and causing engine lugging at highway speed.
  • Owners report the timing chain needing replacement at low mileage, well under the median failure mileage seen for engine complaints.
  • Steering feels stiff even when the vehicle is stationary during turns.
  • Steering resistance becomes inconsistent, making it hard to judge how much force is needed to turn the wheel, reported around 62,000 miles.
  • Owners describe long delays getting the after-run coolant pump recall repair completed, with parts unavailable at dealers.
2014 Audi A5 complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2017Sep 2018May 2019Jan 2020Feb 2021Aug 2022Aug 2023Apr 2025
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2017 to Jan 2026; peak Jan 2018 (3).

2014 Audi A5 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V229000Apr 11, 2018Engine342,867 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

    Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

  2. NHTSA 17V622000Oct 5, 2017Electrical System216,913 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.

    Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.

  3. NHTSA 17V002000Jan 3, 2017Engine342,867 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

    Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

2014 Audi A5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium or E85
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other A5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Good4722024.5
2013Avoid8735324
2014Caution6028324.5
2015Best138325
2016Best77325

All Audi A5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Audi A5 reliable?
NHTSA lists 28 complaints for the 2014 A5, giving it a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th out of 16 model years. Engine problems account for 39% of complaints and steering issues for 32%.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Audi A5?
Engine complaints lead at 39% (11 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles overall. Steering complaints follow at 32% and electrical system issues at 25%.
Does the 2014 Audi A5 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 A5, covering the engine coolant pump, an auxiliary heater electrical connector, and a coolant pump software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2014 A5 compare to other Audi A5 model years?
The 2014 A5's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than 2012 (47, Good) and 2015 (13, Best), but better than 2013 (87, Avoid), 2018 (93, Avoid), and 2020 (100, Avoid).
Should I avoid the 2014 Audi A5?
The 2014 A5 carries a Caution verdict, not an Avoid rating, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. It ranks in the middle of the 16 model years covered.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.