Complaints about the 2021 Audi A5 peaked in 2025, with 3 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Hatchback, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Nov 9, 2021 to Sep 15, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22V-742 | Oct 5, 2022 | Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear | Back-over prevention | 170,296 | Software update |
| 22V-034 | Jan 26, 2022 | Rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed | Suspension | 31,058 | Part replacement |
| 21V-606 | Aug 5, 2021 | Rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly | Seat belts | 45,496 | Part replacement |
| 21V-295 | Apr 26, 2021 | Lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion | Suspension | 40,993 | Part replacement |
| 20V-737 | Nov 25, 2020 | Wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well | Electrical system | 5,426 | Repair or modification |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
8 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
Car began bucking at low speeds. I parked car and when I turned on ignition next day, dashboard warning indicated "Transmission malfunction" and warned me not to drive car. I had it towed to dealer. Diagnosis was that it was a gearbox malfunction that according to dealer was occurring more and more frequently, so much so that Audi had issued a "Technical Service Bulletin." My car which is less than 5 years old and has 65,000 miles required $3,600 worth of repairs for this issue. If this is major engine problem occurring with increasing frequency, why is this not a recall?
NHTSA complaint 11764446What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? TRANSMISSION - GEAR SHIFT How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS AND WE WHEN THE CAR INSTRUCTED US TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY IT WASN'T A SAFE PLACE TO STOP THE CAR. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? SO FAR AUDI NOR THE DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. ONLY THAT THEY SEE PIECES OF METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON TWICE AND TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY WARNING CAME ON ONCE.
NHTSA complaint 11711887The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on in my Audi no matter if there is or is not a passenger in the seat. I took my vehicle to an authorized Audi service center to have the issue checked and they determined the issue to be a failed pods mat based on the error code returned. Upon researching, I’ve discovered that this issue was a safety recall issue with Audi A5 Sportback vehicles in 2020. My vehicle was manufactured during the time of this particular recall and the issue appears to be indicative of this recall. The recall was safety recall code: 74E3.
NHTSA complaint 11707412I was driving down the interstate when my Warning Transmission Failure light came on. Then another message said you can drive with limited use if vehicle. Seconds later the Warning Transmission Failure light came on again and said drive to your nearest repair shop. Moments later the Warning came on and said safely stop your vehicle. I pulled over on the side of the road and pit my car in park. After doing so the Warning Transmission Failure stayed on and the car no longer would shift into any gears. The car never overheated or stopped running. I had to get the car towed. My car has been in the shop for 3.5 weeks and no one can tell me what's wrong with it.
NHTSA complaint 11700320The contact owns a 2021 Audi A5. The contact stated while the driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel was blinking on and off several times and then went dark. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer was waiting for the parts to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 56,795.
NHTSA complaint 11667401There was no damage caused. The audi pre sense technology (automatic braking) has come close to causing several accidents by braking extremely hard when there has been no reason to brake.
NHTSA complaint 11571158My vehicle was repaired pursuant to rearview/backup camera recall (22V742000). Unfortunately, the issue has again arisen and the backup camera alternates between a white screen, a black screen and a frozen screen.
NHTSA complaint 11526418The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, after shifting from reverse to drive the vehicle lost all power. The contact stated that various warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as the gateway under the rear seat was wet. The gateway and battery needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by the dealer. The contact stated that the water damage was caused by the vehicle however, the contact stated that she did not cause the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,500.
NHTSA complaint 11439892Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.