2014 Audi A5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (9) · Engine (7) · Visibility/Wiper (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 (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System 2018-04-11 · campaign 18V229000 · 342,867 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Electrical System:wiring 2017-10-05 · campaign 17V622000 · 216,913 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System 2017-01-03 · campaign 17V002000 · 342,867 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Service bulletins (1,085)
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 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · TSB_2074436_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,085 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-27 · Structure · 151,598 mi“ the contact owns a 2014 audi a5. the contact stated that after each rainfall, there was a large amount of water inside the trunk of the vehicle, creating mold inside the trunk. the vehicle was taken to an auto body shop, and holes were discovered in the trunk and were filled. after another rainfall, the vehicle was taken to an audi dealer, and th…”
2025-05-05 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 audi a5. the contact stated that while driving 30-70 mph, the vehicle shut off. the contact stated that the failure occurred while driving for an hour or stopped at a light. the vehicle failed to restart. the contact waited for 10 minutes to restart, but the vehicle shut off again. the ecp warning light was illuminated. afte…”
2025-05-05 · Unknown Or Other“on march 24, 2025 i submitted a valid claim for reimbursement to audi of america for the outstanding recall on my a5's water pump along with the receipt for the service. audi denied reimbursement because i had a claim that was "too old" from the recall date. this is of course, illegal. i would like audi to reimburse me for my valid recall service.…”
2025-04-02 · Steering“1) power steering module failed resulting in steering failing on highway. car is not available for inspection due to being totaled. issue was a known service bulletin by audi however new owners had no way to know it was a life threatening issue. 2) the car lost control when power module failed, steering wheel locked up. 3) yes 4) insurance and t…”
2024-12-09 · Vehicle Speed Control“while driving the car i press the gas pedal and it loses power or won't accelerate at all, then all of a sudden something happens and it lunges forward fast it is scary i have almost crashed 2 times. this issues is intermittent, thus the driver has no control of when the car is going to drive properly when i doesn't it is scary. i'm have been rele…”
2024-09-11 · Seats · 66,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 audi a5. the contact stated that a burn spot was discovered on the seat section of the front driver's seat. the contact indicated that days later the burn mark had developed into a tennis ball sized burn hole in the seat cushion. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. …”
2023-08-08 · Steering · 65,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 audi a5. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder. the check engine and eps warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with piston #3. the vehic…”
2023-08-08 · Engine“piston 3 imploded causing damage to the long block. complete engine failure at 65k miles conformed by audi dealership. you may view the car if you wish. the warning lights appeared the same day the car started malfunctioning. no advanced warning. there are several class action suits in the u.s. with the same issue of complete engine failure on lo…”
2023-05-31 · Unknown Or Other“jack failed while using to lift car. the "teeth" (hidden underneath the silver body mounting point) which engage the left and right halves of the jack scissors had become mashed up, and slipped a notch or two, suddenly dropping the car downwards. yes i have the part for inspection. audi seattle service department said my only alternative through…”
2022-12-21 · Engine“audi claims to have fixed their 2.0t engine piston defect which can cause safety issues and accidents caused by the car seizing or loosing power at any time due to their faulty pistons which class action act filed on 2014 indicates that 2012-2017 2.0t engine are susceptible to the same default. the company tried to hide this and failed to fix the i…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.