2009 Audi A5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (3) · Service Brakes (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2016-05-27 · campaign 16V376000 · 8,381 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
Service bulletins (679)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-22 · TSB_2070568_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the vas 611 015 pico-nvh tool
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-19 · TSB_2070568_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the vas 611 015 pico-nvh tool
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-10 · TSB_2070568_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the vas 611 015 pico-nvh tool
Engine 2025-03-12 · TSB_2075530_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
Electrical System 2024-12-06 · A2724842074729_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information in circumstances where there are noises/vibration from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
Engine 2024-12-05 · A0124482014753_13 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the mil is on; dtcs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ecm p030000.
Showing the 6 most recent of 679 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-02-28 · Service Brakes · 41,600 mi“my air bag light and parking light icon came on at the same time while starting and remain on. i have read the exact same description from other audi owners described in recall 6901 16v376. why is my car not included?? i have restarted my times to no avail.…”
2017-03-28 · Structure:body · 72,280 mi“i purchased the car used in 2015 with 35k miles. since then, its been over eleven times regarding water leaking issues, particular involving the sunroof drains especially the right rear drain over the passenger quarter panel window near the airbag area (c-pillar). the headliner had to be replaced at least once (it should have been replaced other t…”
2016-04-29 · Structure:body · 54,000 mi“right side (passenger) door latch/lock mechanism failed. because the lock failed, the alarm system does not see the door as closed and will not arm the system. subsequently, the door cannot be locked unless you activate using the child proof overide near the latch mechanism. you must reach in through the drivers side to open the door using the hand…”
2015-08-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 60,000 mi“audi a5 2009 is not a reliable car i will never buy another audi product in my lifetime. i cant believe how i thought i was alone with the misfire issue and i find in my research there are many others with the same issues for various models unbelievable. had i search this product, would have been my only wish. the car wouldn't even start up today.…”
2015-01-12 · Structure:body“keyless door sensors started to malfunction and would not unlock vehicle when touched. brought problem to attention of dealership, which stated that they could not duplicate problem and thereby refused to fix issue while the vehicle was still under warranty. now that the vehicle is no longer under warranty, the problem was found and the cost has …”
2014-10-15 · Service Brakes · 71,000 mi“after letting my car sit for 8+ hours, every time i start my car and put it into either drive or reverse, it pulls hard as if i'm pressing on the accelerator, when i'm not. in order to not let it accelerate, i have to press down on the brake quite hard. this finally goes away after driving it for a few miles. *tr…”
2014-10-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling“water pump coolant campaign my auto body shop said my car is leaking coolant and theres a campaign out on the water pump. i'm asking if you could push the campaign through and recall the water pumps to fix this issue as i'm afraid my car will break down. *tr…”
2014-09-18 · Power Train · 45,000 mi“audi a5 3.0l diesel quattro experienced total loss of power. luckily had just come to a halt. engine will not restart. turns out the failure of main the main diesel pump destroyed entire fuel line system! audi quoted 13,000k replacement cost to change all 3 pumps, all 6 injectors and clean fuel tank! i am shocked. audi dealer said quit…”
2011-01-27 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 4,000 mi“the vehicle developed an engine surge when starting cold (heated garage 45) and moving approx 50 to 75 feet. the rpm surges from 500 to 1800rpm several times and will occasionally die. this seems to happen with various brands of premium fuel. the dealer claims they have added a fuel conditioner, replaced the high pressure fuel pump. replaced the sp…”
2011-01-15 · Steering · 16,000 mi“october 2010 severe wobbling of steering wheel, after numerous complaint with dealer they have to carry out full wheel alignment that took 3 attempts to rectify. this same complaint has now started again although only a pull to the left while driving, this has been investigated by audi dealer and wheel camber appears to be the problem. the dealer w…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.