2025 Audi S5 Problems

I am filing this safety complaint regarding my 2025 Audi S5, VIN [XXX]. Since taking delivery on [XXX], the vehicle has experienced repeated and intermittent malfunctions involving the driver-assistance and steering systems. On numerous occasions, the Lane Departure Warning/Lane Assist system has applied unexpected and excessive steering input. When attempting to change lanes, including while using the turn signal, the vehicle has at times attempted to steer back toward the original lane. The system has also made intrusive steering corrections while I am already traveling within my lane. These events can be unpredictable and create concern that the vehicle may unexpectedly alter my intended steering direction. The vehicle also repeatedly displays warnings stating that driver-assistance systems are currently limited or unavailable. These warnings have occurred in both rainy and clear/dry conditions and have occurred while the vehicle is being driven at highway speeds. In addition, I have repeatedly experienced a clunking sensation/noise through the steering/front axle area during sharp turns, full-lock steering, parking maneuvers, and roundabouts. The vehicle has been presented to an authorized Audi dealership multiple times for these recurring concerns. A software update was performed in August 2026. The vehicle initially appeared improved, but the driver-assistance and steering symptoms returned shortly afterward and have continued. These are recurring, intermittent safety-related problems, not a single isolated event. I am concerned that unpredictable steering intervention and repeated driver-assistance system failures could contribute to loss of vehicle control or a collision. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate these recurring safety concerns. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The Lane Keep Assist system will randomly attempt to steer into the shoulder or oncoming lane. This requires rapid correction from the driver to maintain travel within the lane. The most recent incident attempted to steer the vehicle into an oncoming school bus. Multiple repair attempts have been made by three dealers, the third of which performed a camera cleaning and ADAS calibration which was not covered under either the new vehicle warranty or the extended service contract despite being within the terms of both. The first dealer declined to test the vehicle, stating they did not have the necessary equipment to attempt a repair. The second declined to reproduce any of the issues noted at drop-off or perform any inspections beyond a "test drive" to and from the service center from the dealership. At the first two dealers, the lane keep assist was turned off when the vehicle was returned. After the final repair, the vehicle now usually stays in the middle of the lane and the top-down 360 degree camera view now accurately shows obstructions around the vehicle, and no more hidden obstacles suddenly "pop" into the rearview camera. This fault with the lane keep assist is most noticeable when using the system on two lane rural highways, though it can happen elsewhere. The indicator for the side of the vehicle being corrected changes from green to red as expected for intervention during each event. No specific fault codes are logged for this activation. This issue has been present since delivery of the vehicle. Similar loaners from the dealer provided during service do not exhibit this same fault on the same roads in the same locations.

I was traveling southbound on I-65 (3 lanes) and I had just moved to the left lane when a variety of warning lights appeared on my dash telling me to get off the road and immediately contact the Audi service department for assistance. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, my vehicle completely shut down, and the steering wheel locked. I was able to guide the vehicle to the left breakdown lane and stop the vehicle. Once safely on the side of the road, I was able to engage the ignition and restart the vehicle. The safety of myself and a passenger was put in jeopardy due to the vehicle shutting down on a busy interstate while I was traveling at 60-70 miles per hour. Immediately after the incident I drove the vehicle to the Audi dealership and reported the problem. The service technician stated that he believed this occurred due to a hard update for the vehicle's computer system and they have previously encountered problems with the update but did not provide specific information. I left the vehicle at the dealership so that it could be inspected. A couple of days later the dealership contacted me, and they advised that they performed a new hardware update on the vehicle that reportedly fixes some identified drivability issues. They were unable to retrieve any pertinent data from the vehicle because the drive systems were not communicating with the computer during the time frame of the incident which is one of the issues that the new update reportedly resolves. The service advisor stated that the vehicle is currently safe to drive and did not locate any other issues with the vehicle.

I was making a left hand turn at an intersection with no cars in immediate proximity to my car and the emergency braking system activated violently causing the car to shut off. The pre sense light came on the dashboard. This happened 3 different times. I went to Freehold Audi and they stated the pre sense was doing its job. I reported this to Audi Headquarters last week and a report was written. Other electrical issues started happening, the lane change sensor was going off randomly, the windshield wipers were going off randomly. I traded the car in yesterday to Lexus of Eatontown. They said they were going to sell the Audi retail, I’m thinking to the auction. The car has less than 10,000 miles on it. I informed them about the issues I was having with the car but I’m worried they will sell it to someone without repairing the pre sense issue. I do not want anyone to get hurt in this vehicle. I hurt my neck and chest when the car violently stopped, so did my son. Someone could have easily rear ended me.

I was traveling southbound on I-65 (3 lanes) and I had just moved to the left lane when a variety of warning lights appeared on my dash telling me to get off the road and immediately contact the Audi service department for assistance. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, my vehicle completely shut down, and the steering wheel locked. I was able to guide the vehicle to the left breakdown lane and stop the vehicle. Once safely on the side of the road, I was able to engage the ignition and restart the vehicle. The safety of myself and a passenger was put in jeopardy due to the vehicle shutting down on a busy interstate while I was traveling at 60-70 miles per hour. Immediately after the incident I drove the vehicle to the Audi dealership and reported the problem. The service technician stated that he believed this occurred due to a hard update for the vehicle's computer system and they have previously encountered problems with the update but did not provide specific information. I left the vehicle at the dealership so that it could be inspected. A couple of days later the dealership contacted me, and they advised that they performed a new hardware update on the vehicle that reportedly fixes some identified drivability issues. They were unable to retrieve any pertinent data from the vehicle because the drive systems were not communicating with the computer during the time frame of the incident which is one of the issues that the new update reportedly resolves. The service advisor stated that the vehicle is currently safe to drive and did not locate any other issues with the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2025 Audi S5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to respond while attempting to drive. The vehicle was restarted after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the issue could be related to a lane switch failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,577.

I was making a left hand turn at an intersection with no cars in immediate proximity to my car and the emergency braking system activated violently causing the car to shut off. The pre sense light came on the dashboard. This happened 3 different times. I went to Freehold Audi and they stated the pre sense was doing its job. I reported this to Audi Headquarters last week and a report was written. Other electrical issues started happening, the lane change sensor was going off randomly, the windshield wipers were going off randomly. I traded the car in yesterday to Lexus of Eatontown. They said they were going to sell the Audi retail, I’m thinking to the auction. The car has less than 10,000 miles on it. I informed them about the issues I was having with the car but I’m worried they will sell it to someone without repairing the pre sense issue. I do not want anyone to get hurt in this vehicle. I hurt my neck and chest when the car violently stopped, so did my son. Someone could have easily rear ended me.

System malfunctions for new all new 2025 Audi S5 including drive system malfunction, loose wheel, brakes limited functionality, parking break malfunction, stabilization control malfunction, driving dynamics system malfunction, hold assist malfunction.

I was traveling southbound on I-65 (3 lanes) and I had just moved to the left lane when a variety of warning lights appeared on my dash telling me to get off the road and immediately contact the Audi service department for assistance. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, my vehicle completely shut down, and the steering wheel locked. I was able to guide the vehicle to the left breakdown lane and stop the vehicle. Once safely on the side of the road, I was able to engage the ignition and restart the vehicle. The safety of myself and a passenger was put in jeopardy due to the vehicle shutting down on a busy interstate while I was traveling at 60-70 miles per hour. Immediately after the incident I drove the vehicle to the Audi dealership and reported the problem. The service technician stated that he believed this occurred due to a hard update for the vehicle's computer system and they have previously encountered problems with the update but did not provide specific information. I left the vehicle at the dealership so that it could be inspected. A couple of days later the dealership contacted me, and they advised that they performed a new hardware update on the vehicle that reportedly fixes some identified drivability issues. They were unable to retrieve any pertinent data from the vehicle because the drive systems were not communicating with the computer during the time frame of the incident which is one of the issues that the new update reportedly resolves. The service advisor stated that the vehicle is currently safe to drive and did not locate any other issues with the vehicle.

Below is a detailed timeline of the problems I experienced: Intermittent starting issue Over the past few months, the car has occasionally failed to start on the first attempt. It always started on the second try, so I planned to mention it at the next service visit. Complete MMI/display blackout while driving on the highway In the middle of my trip, the entire center display and instrument cluster went completely black while I was driving at highway speed. All information disappeared (speed, fuel level, navigation, radio — everything). The car continued running, but I had no visibility into critical driving data. After pulling over and restarting the vehicle, only half the screen returned. Hours later, the second half came back on its own. Catastrophic front-right tire blowout in a remote area of Texas The following day, while driving through a very remote stretch of highway, the front-right tire suddenly exploded with a loud bang. I safely pulled over and discovered the tire was completely destroyed. No spare tire provided The trunk contained only a tire inflator kit — no spare tire or temporary spare. A new tire was required. Inadequate roadside assistance experience I called Audi Roadside Assistance twice. Both representatives appeared to be reading from a script, were located in another country, and could not understand the urgency or specifics of my situation. After repeated miscommunication, I received no meaningful help and had to resolve the situation on my own at significant personal expense. When the local tire shop inspected the vehicle, the mechanic immediately pointed out severe abnormal inner tire wear on both front tires and stated that the alignment is clearly defective. He said the left front tire was also about to fail and that the car was unsafe to drive in its current condition. Both front tires had to be replaced before I could continue.

Below is a detailed timeline of the problems I experienced: Intermittent starting issue Over the past few months, the car has occasionally failed to start on the first attempt. It always started on the second try, so I planned to mention it at the next service visit. Complete MMI/display blackout while driving on the highway In the middle of my trip, the entire center display and instrument cluster went completely black while I was driving at highway speed. All information disappeared (speed, fuel level, navigation, radio — everything). The car continued running, but I had no visibility into critical driving data. After pulling over and restarting the vehicle, only half the screen returned. Hours later, the second half came back on its own. Catastrophic front-right tire blowout in a remote area of Texas The following day, while driving through a very remote stretch of highway, the front-right tire suddenly exploded with a loud bang. I safely pulled over and discovered the tire was completely destroyed. No spare tire provided The trunk contained only a tire inflator kit — no spare tire or temporary spare. A new tire was required. Inadequate roadside assistance experience I called Audi Roadside Assistance twice. Both representatives appeared to be reading from a script, were located in another country, and could not understand the urgency or specifics of my situation. After repeated miscommunication, I received no meaningful help and had to resolve the situation on my own at significant personal expense. When the local tire shop inspected the vehicle, the mechanic immediately pointed out severe abnormal inner tire wear on both front tires and stated that the alignment is clearly defective. He said the left front tire was also about to fail and that the car was unsafe to drive in its current condition. Both front tires had to be replaced before I could continue.