2014 Audi A5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 65, ranking 7th worst out of 18 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 28 complaints and 3 recalls, with engine and steering problems the most common concerns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #7 of 18 A5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2014 Audi A5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine11 (39%)
- Steering9 (32%)
- Electrical System7 (25%)
- Other4 (14%)
- Fuel System2 (7%)
- Structure & Body2 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
- HVAC1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering feels stiff or offers inconsistent resistance even when the wheel is turned from a stop, making it hard to judge force needed.
- Check engine light triggers after the transmission refuses to shift beyond 6th gear at highway speed, tied to a failed hydraulic timing chain tensioner.
- Backup camera view gets overridden by an incoming Bluetooth phone call screen while reversing, cutting off the rear view.
- Owners report long waits for the after-run coolant pump recall repair, with parts unavailable for extended periods.
- Timing chain replacement was recommended by dealers on vehicles with low mileage relative to their age.
2014 Audi A5 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Audi A5 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 18 A5 model years. Engine and steering issues account for the bulk of the 28 complaints on file.
- What problems does the 2014 Audi A5 have?
- The top problem area is Engine at 39% of complaints, followed by Steering at 32% and Electrical System at 25%. Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 60,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Audi A5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 A5, covering the engine coolant pump, a coolant pump software update, and an electrical connector for the auxiliary heater. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 Audi A5 compare to other A5 years?
- It ranks better than 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018, and 2020, which are all rated Avoid with higher complaint indexes of 82, 76, 88, 94, and 100. It ranks worse than 2015 and 2016, both rated Best with complaint indexes of 18 and 12.
- What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2014 A5?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 76,000 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2014 Audi A5.