2016 Audi A5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Structure:body (1) · Steering (1)
🧭 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 (735)
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.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 735 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-18 · Unknown Or Other“immediately after taking it home from a dealership, i noticed the mmi system wasn’t turning on. i figured it would fix itself, but it’s been 4 days and nothing has happened. the screen stays black when starting the car. when i reset the mmi by holding the volume knob for 10 seconds, it briefly turns on but shuts itself off right after.…”
2025-08-07 · Structure:body“on august 3, 2025, my wife and i came home from dinner and i couldn’t get out of the driver’s side door. i took it to naples audi where i bought the car and delt with its assistant service manager and service advisor. audi estimated the repair to be over $1,300. i called audi usa regional customer service and mike b opened a case 06968056 for m…”
2024-09-05 · Electrical System“car went into limp mode and check engine light came on. …”
2024-03-19 · Steering“electromechanical steering rack has gone out. had this completely failed while driving myself and others could be put in serious harm of a collision or crash. there are many online complaints and issues with the audi steering racks. no other warnings then it just went out at the same time it tells you stop driving.…”
2021-08-31 · Power Train“the drive chain broke, causing permanent damage to the engine which requires a complete engine replacement. the car was 5 + years old with 38,000 miles on it and well maintained.…”
2019-07-02 · Power Train · 35,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 audi a5. while the contact was making a three point turn with the shifter in the reverse position, the vehicle abruptly accelerated forward and moved approximately 3 to 5 feet when the accelerator pedal was depressed. the contact also indicated that the vehicle lost power and would not properly accelerate on several occa…”
2018-09-18 · Engine“tl* the contact owns a 2016 audi a5. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v229000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact did not contact a local dealer. the manufacture…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.