2020 Audi S5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Audi S5 has a complaint index of 87, the third-worst among 16 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners mainly report Electrical System failures (56% of complaints) tied to the MMI infotainment system, plus 4 recalls covering airbags, suspension, and wiring.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 87/100
- #3 of 16 S5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 25
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Audi S5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (56%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (52%)
- Other12 (48%)
- Lane Departure2 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- MMI infotainment screen randomly reboots while driving, sometimes repeatedly every 60-90 seconds.
- Rear backup camera and parking sensors drop out during reversing when the MMI system reboots.
- Emergency Call Module Control Unit fails and cannot automatically contact emergency services after a crash.
- Bluetooth, GPS, and volume controls stop working when the MMI system crashes.
- Park aid and rear cross-traffic alerts fail intermittently, requiring an ignition cycle to restore.
- Software patches applied by dealers have not permanently fixed the MMI reboot problem.
2020 Audi S5 recalls
4 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.
2020 Audi S5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 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.
2020 compared with other S5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi S5 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 S5 a complaint index of 87, ranking it 3rd worst out of 16 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other S5 years.
- What is the main problem with the 2020 Audi S5?
- Electrical System issues make up 56% of complaints, mostly involving the MMI infotainment system rebooting or freezing, sometimes disabling the backup camera and park aid.
- Does the 2020 Audi S5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 S5, covering suspension/wheel alignment, airbags, lock nuts, and a wiring harness abrasion issue in the rear lights.
- Are there crashes or injuries linked to the 2020 Audi S5 complaints?
- NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths associated with 2020 S5 complaints.
- How does the 2020 S5 compare to other years?
- The 2020 S5's complaint index of 87 is close to the 2018 model's 80 and the 2025 model's 100, both also rated Avoid, while years like 2014 and 2019 earned Good verdicts with much lower indexes.