Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, acceleration and cruise control, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Audi A5: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2019's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Audi A5. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD | 27 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Audi A5, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Power steering assist cuts out without warning at highway speeds. A "Steering Malfunction" message appears on the instrument panel, and the wheel becomes very hard to turn in either direction. One dealer traced the failure to a faulty power steering module and replaced it. The single crash-related report is a different problem. The rear of the car vibrated and then fishtailed, and the driver lost control. Damage found afterward included broken rear trailing arm and lower control arm hardware. With only 3 complaints, there is no clear mileage pattern.
The Pre-Sense automatic braking system brakes hard when there is no real threat. The most common case is a left turn across oncoming traffic. The system detects an approaching car too early and stops the vehicle partway through the turn, which can leave it sitting in the opposing lane. Hard braking on an open expressway at about 75 mph is also reported, along with a false crossroad warning. Lowering the system's sensitivity is possible, but complaints still describe the braking as a hazard. No crashes are reported.
Two reports describe different faults. In one, the engine stalls at a stop through the auto start/stop system and then fails to restart reliably, which can leave the car stuck in an intersection. A cruise control malfunction is mentioned alongside it. The other describes an "SOS System Deactivated" message and a blank rearview camera when shifting into reverse. Restarting the car brought the camera back but not the SOS system. A Pre-Sense warning and alarm while parked, plus windows rolling up on their own, are also reported. With only 2 complaints, no wider pattern shows.
Excerpts from complaints A5 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Hello, I was driving down highway at 55mph when my Electric Power steering Failed suddenly. I almost crashed to the barrier as I was in the passing lane. My steering failure message popped up on my instrument cluster and steering wheel became stiff. I had my mom and niece in the vehicle with me. This vehicle could had hurt all three of us. It is difficult to turn the steering wheel now. Failure message is still active.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks second for owner complaints among 6 A5 years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the second model year of the A5's second generation (2018–2024).
Audi updated the A5 for 2022, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2019)
Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. (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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Audi A5, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
