2019 Audi A5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2019 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 47, ranking 10th out of 18 model years, and earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other A5 years. NHTSA lists 12 complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash, with Engine as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 47/100
- #10 of 18 A5 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 Audi A5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (33%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (25%)
- Steering3 (25%)
- Structure & Body3 (25%)
- Electrical System2 (17%)
- Airbags1 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can fail suddenly at highway speed, with a warning message and the wheel becoming stiff or hard to turn.
- The pre-sense automatic braking system has triggered unexpectedly during turns and at highway speed, causing hard braking with no real hazard present.
- Water has been reported collecting in the rear passenger door sill, producing a sloshing sound when braking or accelerating.
- All four doors have reportedly locked on their own while the vehicle was parked and running, locking the owner out despite holding the key fob.
- A broken trailing arm lock nut, washer, and bolt in the rear suspension has been linked to a loss of control and a crash.
2019 Audi A5 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V034000Jan 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires31,058 vehicles
Tires
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Airbags208,332 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V295000Apr 26, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires40,993 vehicles
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
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.
Risk: 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.
2019 Audi A5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2019 compared with other A5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Audi A5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 A5 has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 10th out of 18 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict compared to other A5 years.
- What problems does the 2019 Audi A5 have?
- NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2019 A5, led by Engine issues (4 complaints, including unexpected pre-sense braking), followed by Steering, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Structure & Body concerns.
- Does the 2019 Audi A5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 A5, covering airbag seat components and two separate suspension/wheel issues involving lock nuts and bolts.
- What is the median mileage for problems on the 2019 Audi A5?
- Across all reported issues, the median mileage at failure is 15,000 miles, though Engine complaints occurred earlier, around a median of 2,150 miles.
- How does the 2019 Audi A5 compare to other years?
- The 2019 A5's complaint index of 47 is much lower than the 2018 (94) and 2020 (100) model years, both rated 'Avoid', making 2019 a comparatively better choice.