2020 Audi S5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
79/100
#4 most-complained of 15 S5 years
The 2020 Audi S5 has a complaint index of 79, ranking 4th worst among 15 model years, with an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 25 complaints, 4 recalls, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths, with Electrical System issues dominating at 56% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
Top 2020 Audi S5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (56%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (52%)
- Other12 (48%)
- Lane Departure2 (8%)
What owners report
- MMI infotainment screen randomly reboots and goes blank while driving, sometimes repeating every 60-90 seconds.
- Backup camera and rear cross traffic detection drop out during MMI reboot events while reversing.
- Emergency Call Module Control Unit fails repeatedly, preventing automatic crash notification even after a service campaign reflash.
- Bluetooth connectivity, park aid, and GPS functions stop working when the MMI system restarts.
- Lane and parking sensors report errors and stop functioning when the center console screen shuts down and reboots.
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 a good year?
- No. NHTSA data gives the 2020 Audi S5 a complaint index of 79, the 4th worst of 15 model years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other S5 years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi S5?
- Electrical System issues make up 56% of complaints, mostly involving the MMI infotainment system randomly rebooting, along with Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues at 52%.
- Does the 2020 Audi S5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 Audi S5, covering suspension/wheel lock nuts, airbag heating mat wiring, rear light wiring harness abrasion protection, and a related suspension alignment issue.
- Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2020 Audi S5?
- No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported for the 2020 Audi S5.
- How does the 2020 Audi S5 compare to other S5 years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 79 is worse than most other S5 years like 2019 (43, Good) and 2014 (29, Good), but slightly better than 2018 (86, Avoid) and 2025 (100, Avoid).