2016 Audi A5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 A5 years
The 2016 Audi A5 ranks 15th of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 7 and a "Best" verdict. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, 3 recalls, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths for this year.
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21.5 city / 31 hwy
Top 2016 Audi A5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (43%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (29%)
- Electrical System1 (14%)
- Other1 (14%)
- Steering1 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (14%)
What owners report
- Some owners report delayed availability of parts for the engine cooling pump recall (18V229000), leaving vehicles unrepaired for a long time.
- One owner described the vehicle lurching forward 3 to 5 feet unexpectedly while shifting into reverse, with intermittent loss of power and failure to accelerate.
- One owner reported the drive chain breaking at 35,000 miles, causing engine damage that required a full engine replacement.
- One owner said the electromechanical steering rack failed suddenly while driving, with no prior warning.
- One owner reported being unable to open the driver's side door after the vehicle was parked, requiring dealer service.
2016 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.
2016 Audi A5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 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.
2016 compared with other A5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Audi A5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Audi A5 has a Complaint Index of 7, the second-lowest of all 16 model years covered, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other A5 years.
- What problems does the 2016 Audi A5 have?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints for the 2016 A5, with the Engine area accounting for 43% of them and Transmission & Powertrain for 29%. The median mileage at failure for these two areas is 35,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Audi A5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi A5, covering the engine coolant pump, an engine control software update, and an auxiliary heater electrical connector issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Audi A5 compare to other A5 years?
- The 2016 A5's Complaint Index of 7 is far lower than the 2020 A5 (100) and 2018 A5 (93), both rated Avoid, and slightly higher than the 2015 A5 (13), also rated Best.