Audi A5 reliability
The Audi A5 fails its MOT less often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 19.9% of 55,103 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.
20 DVSA recalls for the Audi A5
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
Fix: Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
Recalled models: A5 · 17 vehicles
Replacing rear seat backrest
The rear seat backrest may not comply with crash safety requirements due to an inadequate weld joint. This means that there is an increased risk of rear seat passengers being injured in the event of a frontal collision if heavy loads are being transported in the luggage compartment. Until the repair has been performed we request that you do not transport any heavy loads in the luggage compartment.
Fix: For safety reasons it is necessary to replace the right rear seat backrest.
Recalled models: A5 · 9 vehicles
Replacing TAKATA passenger airbag gas generator
If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period.
Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the airbag unit on the driver side.
Recalled models: A5 CABRIO · 8,650 vehicles
Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed
Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed.
Fix: The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A5 · 5,327 vehicles
Rear axle suspension links nuts do not meet specifications
One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links.
Fix: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A5 · 10,089 vehicles
Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty
Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and where necessary replaced on the vehicles affected.
Recalled models: A5 · 263 vehicles
Seat frame may not be bolted correctly to the rail on the driver and passenger sides
The seat frame may not have been bolted correctly to the seat rail on the driver and/or front passenger side
Fix: Check the affected seat frame connection and replace the frame if required.
Recalled models: A5 · 8 vehicles
Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator
It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A5 · 34,982 vehicles
The locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty
Hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and replaced if required.
Recalled models: A5 · 135 vehicles
An error in the casting process may affect the rigidity of the shock absorber fork
An error in the casting process may affect the rigidity of the shock absorber fork.
Fix: The corresponding shock absorber forks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A5 · 85 vehicles
Fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails
It is possible that fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails (low-pressure side).
Fix: The fuel rails for the low-pressure side of both cylinder banks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A5 · 2,763 vehicles
Passenger airbag module bolts securing to the dash panel may be insufficiently tightened
Air bag securing bolts may not be to the correct torque.
Fix: Check and replace bolts as required.
Recalled models: A5 · 8 vehicles
Risk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump
On affected vehicles moisture may enter the electronic components and cause overheating and failure of the additional coolant pump. localised smoulder damage cannot be ruled out and in individual cases may cause vehicle to catch fire.
Fix: The additional coolant pump must be replaced and in addition a software update of the engine control unit must be carried out
Recalled models: A5 · 137 vehicles
Aluminium trim may partly detach from loudspeaker trim in doors and cause injury to occupants
The aluminium trim may become detached from the loud speaker trim in the front or rear doors. Cuts and other injuries from the sharp edges may occur.
Fix: The affected vehicles will be recalled and all four aluminium strips on the loud speaker trims will be replaced.
Recalled models: A5 SPORTBACK · 5,092 vehicles
Auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat
The auxiliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as the result of overheating in the area of the connectors. This can lead to smoulder damage or potentially a fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and change the auxiliary heater element for one with optimised electrical connectors.
Recalled models: A5 · 114,287 vehicles
Auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat
The auxilliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as a result of overheating in the area of the connectors in conjunction with smoulder damage or potential fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit an auxilliary heater element with opimised electrical connectors. The activation of the electric auxilliary heater must be adjusted by updating the software for the air conditioning control console.
Recalled models: A5 · 33,699 vehicles
Coolant pump may overheat
Foreign particles in the engine coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.Foreign particles in the coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.
Fix: Recall the machines that are likely to be affected and update the software which will deactivate the additional coolant pump in the event of malfunction. If there has been a malfunction of the additional water pump it will be replaced.
Recalled models: A5 · 2,844 vehicles
Airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident
Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Fix: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seta belt pretensioner where necessary.
Recalled models: A5 · 2,622 vehicles
Fuel may leak
Fuel may leak from the injector rails. Drivers may notice a smell of fuel and or evidence of a leak
Fix: On affected vehicles replace injector rails and seals.
Recalled models: A5 · 1,073 vehicles
Reduction in braking performance
On affected vehicles engine oil may in isolated instances enter the brake servo via the vacuum feed lie.This may cause the brake servo diaphragm to rupture and loss of brake servo assistance.
Fix: Replace vacuum line on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A5 · 5,755 vehicles
Checking a Audi A5 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.