Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2009 Audi A5 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2019.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Audi A5. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 37
21% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Audi A5
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
423.5%
Median failure at 4,500 miles
Body & Structure
317.6%
Median failure at 63,140 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
211.8%
Median failure at 52,500 miles
Brakes
211.8%
Median failure at 56,300 miles
Electrical System
211.8%
Median failure at 41,600 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.8%
Median failure at 58,000 miles
Steering
15.9%
Median failure at 16,000 miles
Airbags
15.9%
Median failure at 41,600 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
214.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
17.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
535.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
642.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2010peak 4Feb 2019
Recalls on the 2009 Audi A5
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2016246989 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, a power supply component within the airbag control unit may corrode and cause the unit to fail. If the airbag control unit were to fail, the airbag light would illuminate in the vehicle’s instrument panel, and safety systems such as seat belt pretensioners and airbags could be affected and may not deploy in the event of a crash (where deployment is warranted), which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace the affected airbag control module.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 41,600 milesMemphis, TN
AIR BAGS
MY AIR BAG LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT ICON CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE STARTING AND REMAIN ON. I HAVE READ THE EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 6901 16V376. WHY IS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED?? I HAVE RESTARTED MY TIMES TO NO AVAIL.
NHTSA complaint #11183218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,600 milesMemphis, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY AIR BAG LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT ICON CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE STARTING AND REMAIN ON. I HAVE READ THE EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 6901 16V376. WHY IS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED?? I HAVE RESTARTED MY TIMES TO NO AVAIL.
NHTSA complaint #11183218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,600 milesMemphis, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
MY AIR BAG LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT ICON CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE STARTING AND REMAIN ON. I HAVE READ THE EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 6901 16V376. WHY IS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED?? I HAVE RESTARTED MY TIMES TO NO AVAIL.
NHTSA complaint #11183218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,280 milesAthens, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY
I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2015 WITH 35K MILES. SINCE THEN, ITS BEEN OVER ELEVEN TIMES REGARDING WATER LEAKING ISSUES, PARTICULAR INVOLVING THE SUNROOF DRAINS ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT REAR DRAIN OVER THE PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL WINDOW NEAR THE AIRBAG AREA (C-PILLAR). THE HEADLINER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE (IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OTHER TIMES, BUT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY CLEANED THE STAINS). THE SUNSHADE HAD TO BE REPLACED/REPAIR TWICE BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED DURING MANIPULATION OF THE HEADLINER, AND THE SUNROOF HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED, AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY ADJUSTED DUE TO SQUEAKING. THIS SUNROOF CONTINUES TO HAVE DRAINAGE ISSUES AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, WHICH RESULTS IN WATER LEAKAGE ONTO AND STAINING THE HEADLINER. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE DRAINS WERE BLOCKED AND NEEDED CLEANING, BUT THE CAR IS MOSTLY GARAGED KEPT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO A LOT OF TREE LITTER. I ASKED IF THERE IS A PERMANENT FIX, AND I'VE CONTACTED AUDI USA REGARDING THIS ISSUE ASKING FOR A PERMANENT FIX OR REPURCHASE/REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE TO WHICH THEY RESPONSE WAS NO THEY CAN'T HELP ME OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I WORK WITH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER, WITH WHOM I'VE ALREADY WORKED WITH AND THEY'VE BEEN HELPFUL, BUT IF IT IS A DESIGN FLAW, THEN AUDI USA SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY OR BUYBACK THE VEHICLES AND MAKE THEIR CONSUMERS WHOLE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT RUSTING, COMPROMISE OF THE SIDE AIRBAG (C-PILLAR), AND FUTURE DETERIORATION OF THE HEADLINER. BUT ALSO THE INCONVENIENCE AND FRUSTRATION OF TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER A HEAVY RAIN (52MI DRIVE ONE-WAY) TO DEAL WITH A LEAKY ROOF DRAIN. PLEASE HELP, INITIATE A RECALL SO CONSUMERS CAN BE MADE WHOLE BY WAY OF REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OR RE-PURCHASE OF THEIR VEHICLES THIS WOULD SHOW AUTO MANUFACTURES THAT THEY CANNOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CONSUMERS.
NHTSA complaint #10969187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesChesapeake, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) DOOR LATCH/LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. BECAUSE THE LOCK FAILED, THE ALARM SYSTEM DOES NOT SEE THE DOOR AS CLOSED AND WILL NOT ARM THE SYSTEM. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DOOR CANNOT BE LOCKED UNLESS YOU ACTIVATE USING THE CHILD PROOF OVERIDE NEAR THE LATCH MECHANISM. YOU MUST REACH IN THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR USING THE HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON ANY CAR WITH LESS THAN 55K MILES ON IT. THE AUDI FORUMS HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE B8 MODEL CAR (A4/A5/S4/S5/RS5). ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE OVER $650 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS MAY BE A DIY IF YOU ARE VERY SKILLED (READ: A MECHANIC) AND IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SPECIALTY TOOLS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PART ALONE COSTS $200 FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT. USED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE BUT IF THE FAILURE RATE IS CLOSE TO THE 50-55K MILE MARK, NOT MANY OF THESE ARE AVAILABLE AND THOSE THAT ARE AVAILABLE ARE QUESTIONABLE WITH REGARDS TO RELIABILITY. I HAVE ASKED AUDI AMERICA (USA) FOR GOOD FAITH ASSISTANCE BUT THEY HAVE REMAINED SILENT.
NHTSA complaint #10862237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesOrlando, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AUDI A5 2009 IS NOT A RELIABLE CAR I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AUDI PRODUCT IN MY LIFETIME. I CANT BELIEVE HOW I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE WITH THE MISFIRE ISSUE AND I FIND IN MY RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES FOR VARIOUS MODELS UNBELIEVABLE. HAD I SEARCH THIS PRODUCT, WOULD HAVE BEEN MY ONLY WISH. THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN START UP TODAY. HAD THIS CAR FOR ONLY 8 MONTHS. AT 45,000...
NHTSA complaint #10748220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY
KEYLESS DOOR SENSORS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK VEHICLE WHEN TOUCHED. BROUGHT PROBLEM TO ATTENTION OF DEALERSHIP, WHICH STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND THEREBY REFUSED TO FIX ISSUE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND THE COST HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THESE KEYLESS DOOR SENSOR FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10671991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEYLESS DOOR SENSORS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK VEHICLE WHEN TOUCHED. BROUGHT PROBLEM TO ATTENTION OF DEALERSHIP, WHICH STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND THEREBY REFUSED TO FIX ISSUE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND THE COST HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THESE KEYLESS DOOR SENSOR FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10671991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
POWER TRAIN
AFTER LETTING MY CAR SIT FOR 8+ HOURS, EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND PUT IT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT PULLS HARD AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN I'M NOT. IN ORDER TO NOT LET IT ACCELERATE, I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE QUITE HARD. THIS FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10644971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE
AFTER LETTING MY CAR SIT FOR 8+ HOURS, EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND PUT IT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT PULLS HARD AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN I'M NOT. IN ORDER TO NOT LET IT ACCELERATE, I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE QUITE HARD. THIS FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10644971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER LETTING MY CAR SIT FOR 8+ HOURS, EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND PUT IT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT PULLS HARD AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN I'M NOT. IN ORDER TO NOT LET IT ACCELERATE, I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE QUITE HARD. THIS FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10644971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Hollywood, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WATER PUMP COOLANT CAMPAIGN MY AUTO BODY SHOP SAID MY CAR IS LEAKING COOLANT AND THERES A CAMPAIGN OUT ON THE WATER PUMP. I'M ASKING IF YOU COULD PUSH THE CAMPAIGN THROUGH AND RECALL THE WATER PUMPS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS I'M AFRAID MY CAR WILL BREAK DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10644665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesBeverly Hills, CA
POWER TRAIN
AUDI A5 3.0L DIESEL QUATTRO EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY HAD JUST COME TO A HALT. ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART. TURNS OUT THE FAILURE OF MAIN THE MAIN DIESEL PUMP DESTROYED ENTIRE FUEL LINE SYSTEM! AUDI QUOTED 13,000K REPLACEMENT COST TO CHANGE ALL 3 PUMPS, ALL 6 INJECTORS AND CLEAN FUEL TANK! I AM SHOCKED. AUDI DEALER SAID QUITE A FEW CASES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS KNOWN ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10637342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesBeverly Hills, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
AUDI A5 3.0L DIESEL QUATTRO EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY HAD JUST COME TO A HALT. ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART. TURNS OUT THE FAILURE OF MAIN THE MAIN DIESEL PUMP DESTROYED ENTIRE FUEL LINE SYSTEM! AUDI QUOTED 13,000K REPLACEMENT COST TO CHANGE ALL 3 PUMPS, ALL 6 INJECTORS AND CLEAN FUEL TANK! I AM SHOCKED. AUDI DEALER SAID QUITE A FEW CASES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS KNOWN ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10637342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesLakeland Shores, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN ENGINE SURGE WHEN STARTING COLD (HEATED GARAGE 45) AND MOVING APPROX 50 TO 75 FEET. THE RPM SURGES FROM 500 TO 1800RPM SEVERAL TIMES AND WILL OCCASIONALLY DIE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WITH VARIOUS BRANDS OF PREMIUM FUEL. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE ADDED A FUEL CONDITIONER, REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE STILL SURGES AT VARIOUS TIMES. IT HAS DIED AFTER LEAVING AN ON STREET PARKING SPOT IN TRAFFIC. IT DOES NOT SURGE ON SUBSEQUENT STARTS WITHIN 6 - 8 HOURS AND GENERALLY NOT DURING SUMMER MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10380268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesBuckinghamshire, 00
STEERING
OCTOBER 2010 SEVERE WOBBLING OF STEERING WHEEL, AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINT WITH DEALER THEY HAVE TO CARRY OUT FULL WHEEL ALIGNMENT THAT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY. THIS SAME COMPLAINT HAS NOW STARTED AGAIN ALTHOUGH ONLY A PULL TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BY AUDI DEALER AND WHEEL CAMBER APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WOULD NOT RECTIFY FAULT UNDER WARRANTY AS THIS IS ACCORDING TO THEM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF VEHICLE, I HAVE DONE 2.5K MILES SINCE ALL 4 WHEELS WERE DONE AND I HAVE NOT HIT OR DAMAGED MY WHEELS ALIGNMENT AND AUDI WILL NOT SUPPORT ME AS THE DRIVER AND WILL ONLY BACK THEIR DEALERSHIP. I DO BELIEVE MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM AS THE ALIGNMENT IS OUT ON THE N/S FRONT AND REAR WHEEL. HAS ANYONE ELSE SUFFERED FROM THIS.....I REFUSED TO PAY THEM UNDER RANSOM AND I AM NOW SEEKING A SECOND OPINION.
NHTSA complaint #10376784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,500 milesArlington, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE WATER PUMP BROKE CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK AND THE "STOP ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO PUT SOME WATER IN THE EMPTY COOLANT TANK - BUT ALL OF THE LIQUID LEAKED THROUGH. STEAM WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT I PUT WATER IN THE COOLANT TANK AND DRIVE TO THE FACILITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (IT WAS ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY.) THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED WATER PUMP, CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK DUE TO THE PRESSURE. APPARENTLY FIVE OTHER VEHICLES (AUDI A5 AND Q5) WERE BROUGHT IN OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS. REPLACEMENT PART IS BACK ORDERED AND VEHICLE IS STILL IMMOBILIZED AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING PART FROM GERMANY. THIS VEHICLE HAD ITS 5,000 MILE SERVICE LESS THAN A WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10300371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.