Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2024 Audi A5 with NHTSA between 2024 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 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 — 22
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 — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2024 Audi A5
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
535.7%
Median failure at 16,581 miles
Steering
214.3%
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
17.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.1%
Median failure at 16,581 miles
Brakes
17.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.1%
Median failure at 22,916 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.1%
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.
Mar 2024peak 4Jul 2026
Recalls on the 2024 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 202448711,759 units in Canada
Tires
Issue: Certain tires may have a defect that could cause the tread to separate from the belts. If this happens, the tire could fail. Note: This recall only affects tires with date codes between 1921 and 3224. Safety Risk: A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Continental Tire will notify registered owners by mail to advise you of this problem. You should contact a Continental Tire dealer if you have tires with these date codes or if you need help inspecting them. All tires affected by this recall will be replaced. For Audi owners, Audi will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to an Audi dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace any affected tires.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 22,916 milesForney, TX
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2024 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the parking brake actuator was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the brake pedal was loose while depressed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where the parking lock solenoid (N486) was replaced; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the loose brake pedal failure. No additional repair was performed. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer a third time and the Selector Lever Sensor System Control Module (J587) was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been driven since the third repair, and that the contact was fearful of driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the case went to arbitration. The manufacturer's lawyer informed the contact that the failure was due to normal transmission wear and tear. The failure mileage was 22,916.
NHTSA complaint #11749569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Van Nuys, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a severe, systemic, and undiagnosed electrical defect that compromises vehicle safety and control. The manufacturer’s authorized repair facilities and corporate Technical Assistance Center (TAC) have explicitly documented that their factory test plans are "inconclusive" and they cannot isolate the root cause of the failures. The primary symptom is the catastrophic failure of the climate control/defrost system, which intermittently stops cooling and blows hot/ambient air. Dealerships have repeatedly replaced the physical AC head unit (E87), replaced high-pressure switches, and performed battery capacity discharges to clear persistent diagnostic trouble codes (DTC B131207 and B10AE22). Because these hardware replacements fail to fix the issue and the system continues to drop out, the defect lies deeper within the vehicle's central electrical architecture or wiring harness. Additionally, the vehicle has exhibited erratic, un-commanded behavior. After parking, turning off the vehicle, and walking away, the vehicle spontaneously started running on its own without any input. The dealership was unable to find stored codes for this event, indicating the vehicle’s diagnostic system is failing to log critical electrical malfunctions.A vehicle that spontaneously starts itself poses an extreme risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in residential garages, as well as a runaway or theft hazard if a deeper electrical short commands the transmission to engage while unattended.The manufacturer has exhausted its standard Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 2078655/3) and multiple corporate TAC cases (#3667725 and #3686882), ultimately releasing the car back to me each time. I am at a loss for what to do because this car is dangerous, they don't know what is wrong with it, and I am being forced to drive it.
NHTSA complaint #11746731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Van Nuys, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting a severe, systemic, and undiagnosed electrical defect that compromises vehicle safety and control. The manufacturer’s authorized repair facilities and corporate Technical Assistance Center (TAC) have explicitly documented that their factory test plans are "inconclusive" and they cannot isolate the root cause of the failures. The primary symptom is the catastrophic failure of the climate control/defrost system, which intermittently stops cooling and blows hot/ambient air. Dealerships have repeatedly replaced the physical AC head unit (E87), replaced high-pressure switches, and performed battery capacity discharges to clear persistent diagnostic trouble codes (DTC B131207 and B10AE22). Because these hardware replacements fail to fix the issue and the system continues to drop out, the defect lies deeper within the vehicle's central electrical architecture or wiring harness. Additionally, the vehicle has exhibited erratic, un-commanded behavior. After parking, turning off the vehicle, and walking away, the vehicle spontaneously started running on its own without any input. The dealership was unable to find stored codes for this event, indicating the vehicle’s diagnostic system is failing to log critical electrical malfunctions.A vehicle that spontaneously starts itself poses an extreme risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in residential garages, as well as a runaway or theft hazard if a deeper electrical short commands the transmission to engage while unattended.The manufacturer has exhausted its standard Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 2078655/3) and multiple corporate TAC cases (#3667725 and #3686882), ultimately releasing the car back to me each time. I am at a loss for what to do because this car is dangerous, they don't know what is wrong with it, and I am being forced to drive it.
NHTSA complaint #11746731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,581 milesVan Nuys, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2024 Audi A5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and started, the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle started independently without driver input. Additionally, the air condition was blowing warm air instead of cold air. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 16,581.
NHTSA complaint #11744582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,581 milesVan Nuys, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Audi A5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and started, the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle started independently without driver input. Additionally, the air condition was blowing warm air instead of cold air. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 16,581.
NHTSA complaint #11744582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix,, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Audi’s wireless charging pad in 2021–2024 A4/A5/Q5 models: •Overheats the phone •Triggers a thermal radio throttle •iPhone temporarily disables Bluetooth hardware •Audi MMI sees that and throws: “Bluetooth function is currently unavailable.” •Wireless CarPlay collapses because it needs Bluetooth + WiFi Direct •Audio goes dead along with it This EXACT sequence is documented across A4/A5/Q3/Q5 forums and Audi service bulletins. The pad is the culprit — not your phone, not the car. When bluetooth and apple car play shut down, so do directions which causes driver to scramble to find phone and follow phone screen which distracts drivers and causes accidents. It happens every time you use the tray after 5-20 minutes. Very scary for older drivers. Would like NHTSA to pressure Audi into a recall and fix the pad at Audi's expense. I bought the car to use the wireless charger, not have to work around it. And it is exceptionally unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11701394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, NY
STEERING
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11685304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11685304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11685304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maplewood, NJ
STEERING
Steering malfunction indicator light illuminated and I experienced a total loss of power steering. Brought car to Dealer Service Center. Was informed that the problem is related to a known software issue and that an update to the software is expected sometime toward the end of Q4 2024. In the interim, DTC's have been set to passive and the steering malfunction indicator light has been deactivated.
NHTSA complaint #11618547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving up a clear road, heard and exploding sound and witnessed my drivers side window shatter. The glass that was not protected by tint, I could hear crumbling into the frame. I could not see out of my window and thankfully did not swerve due to scare of the explosion sound.Upon looking online, others have experienced this with Audis. There were no warnings present. Vehicle has not been inspected or repaired yet. Nothing was noted in the road, no marks on vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11596209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
After fueling, MPG was 370 and dropped to 325 within one minute. Same night, vehicle began to jerk back and forth and cluster stated "Drive system: malfunction! Please contact Service." Took to dealership next morning and service stated fuel pump codes popped up. The vehicle is just leased and only has 1,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11578180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
ENGINE
After fueling, MPG was 370 and dropped to 325 within one minute. Same night, vehicle began to jerk back and forth and cluster stated "Drive system: malfunction! Please contact Service." Took to dealership next morning and service stated fuel pump codes popped up. The vehicle is just leased and only has 1,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11578180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
After fueling, MPG was 370 and dropped to 325 within one minute. Same night, vehicle began to jerk back and forth and cluster stated "Drive system: malfunction! Please contact Service." Took to dealership next morning and service stated fuel pump codes popped up. The vehicle is just leased and only has 1,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11578180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.