RoadVitals

2021 Audi A5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Oct 5, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Audi A5, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,062 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical228.6%
  • Airbags114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Interior & seats114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V742000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Oct 5, 2022
170,296 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 91DZView on NHTSA.gov
22V034000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY; TIRES

Jan 26, 2022
31,058 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 42L5View on NHTSA.gov
21V606000

SEAT BELTS; SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Aug 5, 2021
45,496 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69CR, 69CSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2026

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 ID
11764446
Incident
Sep 5, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 19, 2026

What 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 ID
11711887
Incident
Oct 24, 2025
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Dec 28, 2025

The 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 ID
11707412
Incident
Dec 21, 2025
Filed Nov 19, 2025

I 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 ID
11700320
Incident
Oct 24, 2025
Electrical
Filed Jun 17, 2025

The 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 ID
11667401
Incident
Jun 11, 2025
Mileage
56,795 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 10, 2024

There 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 ID
11571158
Incident
Feb 10, 2024
Filed Jun 11, 2023

My 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 ID
11526418
Incident
Jun 3, 2023
Electrical
Filed Nov 9, 2021

The 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 ID
11439892
Incident
Oct 16, 2021
Mileage
3,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2069331_8

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.

TSB_2074436_3

This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.

TSB_2063546_5

STEERING

This bulletin provides service infomraiton regardin gthe identifaction of noises with dynamic steering.

TSB_2063528_5

STEERING

This bulletin provides service information when thre are engine noises in the vehicle interior.

TSB_2068999_4

STRUCTURE:BODY

This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.

TSB_2069078_4

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026100—
2025820—
2024800—
2023800—
2022720—
2021Viewing850—
2020604047.5
2019123046.1
2018386060.1
2017020—
2016730—
2015830—
2014283044.0
2013353057.8
2012220037.7
2011250040.9
2010340029.6
2009111031.0
2008510—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.