VehicleVerdict

2020 Audi A5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 102 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.8 times the median A5 year — the 2020 model ranks #1 of 18 A5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 41% of all reports (42 of 102), far ahead of driver assistance at 28.

102

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other A5 years?

A5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted102 complaints2008: 8 complaints2009: 17 complaints2010: 37 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 25 complaints2013: 43 complaints2014: 38 complaints2015: 11 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 102 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 7 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 8 complaints
A5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Audi A5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4241%
Driver Assistance2827%
Other2525%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seat Belts22%
Airbags11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2020 Audi A5 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V034000Tires & WheelsJanuary 26, 2022 · 31,058 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V874000AirbagsNovember 10, 2021 · 208,332 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V295000SuspensionApril 26, 2021 · 40,993 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V737000LightingNovember 25, 2020 · 5,426 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.

Consequence

Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The MMI which is the visual interface for screen controls including GPS continually resets and when it does the car loses all connection to these functions. Resets and comes back and then sometimes within minutes does it again over and over. Have communicated with other Audi owners who are having…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2025

“Beginning in mid July 2025, the MMI system (screen in the center of the dashboard) reboots every 1-2 minutes. In addition to the large distraction this causes while driving, the constant rebooting disables the back-up camera, parking sensors, rear-cross traffic alerts, collision avoidance assist,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 18, 2025

“MMI/radio shuts off while driving every day. Good morning. I’m hoping someone here can help me. I have a 2020 A5 and about 2 weeks my car started doing an annoying thing where while driving the radio/MMI randomly shuts off and reboots. I’ve tried everything I can think of to both replicate it…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 9, 2025

“The contact owns a 2020 Audi A5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it was noticed that the driver's side window had failed to remain up as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective window regulator. The vehicle remained at the dealer…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 28, 2024

“My brother lost control from the tires being worn unevenly wich caused him to lose traction. The airbags in the car on the passenger side where the steel pole made contact, failed to deploy. The seatbelt was defective because he was seatbelted and the belt broke.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 26, 2023 · crash

2020 Audi A5 — common questions

Is the 2020 Audi A5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 102 complaints put the 2020 model at #1 of 18 A5 years. It is one of the A5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 A5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (42 complaints), driver assistance (28 complaints), other (25 complaints).

Does the 2020 Audi A5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Audi A5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A5 years to avoid are 2020, 2018, 2013, 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among A5 years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.