2019 Audi A5 Safety Report
2019 Audi A5 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Audi A5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Audi A5. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (12) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Vehicle Speed Control | Compare vehicle speed control issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2017 | Compare against the 2017 Audi A5 with 2 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Audi A5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi A5 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi A5 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi A5 | 60 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Audi A5 | 6 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Audi A5 | 7 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Audi A5 | 2 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi A5 | 7 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Audi A5 | 8 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2019 Audi A5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Audi A5, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Vehicle Speed Control
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Audi onlySteering
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Back Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Back Over Prevention issues Audi onlyAir Bags,Seats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seats issues Audi onlyLatches/Locks/Linkages
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Latches/Locks/Linkages issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Audi A5
Reliability Score
The 2019 Audi A5 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2019 Audi A5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Audi A5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control And Cruise Control Malfunctions Reports indicate that the vehicle speed control and cruise control can malfunction, leading to unsafe driving conditions. Regular maintenance is recommended. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Malfunctions Electric power steering has failed suddenly in some cases, causing loss of control. Drivers should be aware of this issue. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunctions There have been reports of the forward collision avoidance system malfunctioning, potentially placing drivers in danger. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention System Malfunctions The back over prevention system has malfunctioned in some cases, leading to potential accidents. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Audi A5:
Issues with electric power steering have been reported, causing sudden loss of control.
Problems with the rear axle assembly have been reported, affecting vehicle stability.
Malfunctions in the cruise control system have been reported, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
The forward collision avoidance system has malfunctioned in some cases, potentially placing drivers in danger.
Recall Details for the 2019 Audi A5
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Audi A5 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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 reme...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Audi A5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Audi A5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
I drive an 2019 Audi A5 and there is a terrible Auto start/stop malfunction and cruise control malfunction that has made this car unsafe to drive. The Auto start is featured on the A5 to "save gas," but however malfunctions and cuts off while driving or coming to a stop. Tonight on 1/21/2025 at 1:44 am it did just that. While sitting at the light it stalled out, manually crank it up attempt to get...
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the message "SOS System Deactivated" was displayed, and the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact shifted to park(P) and shifted back to reverse(R); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle and shifting to reverse(R), the rearview camera became...
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 m...
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V874000 (Seats, Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time f...
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, all four doors of the vehicle locked independently while she was outside of the vehicle and in possession of the keys. The contact was unable to unlock the door of the vehicle using the key fob or the keys manually. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s son who was occupying th...
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Steering Malfunction" message displayed on the instrument panel and continued flashing. Moments later the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who discovered that the power steering module was faulty and needed to be replac...
I was driving when the rear of my car began vibrating, then fishtailing and I lost control and hit a curb resulting in mostly forward damage. In reviewing the Preliminary Estimate from the auto-shop and insurance adjuster, there was quite a bit of damage to the Rear Suspension including a broken Trailing arm lock nut, washer, and bolt, as well as the Protector lining, lower control arm, its lock n...
On three different occasions, I have experienced automatic emergency braking of the car which, rather than keeping me safe, placed me in a very dangerous situation. Each time, I was in a controlled intersection on a green light and in the left turn lane, with oncoming traffic also having a green light. When it was amply safe to make the left turn, with oncoming traffic at a safe distance from the ...
WATER IS COLLECTING IN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WELL OR THE DOOR SILL. WATER SLOSHING IS HEARD WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING FROM STOP. PROBLEM IS MORE SEVERE AFTER RAINS OR CAR WASHES.
ON TWO OCCASIONS SO FAR, WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION, THE PRE-SENSE SYSTEM DETECTED AN ONCOMING CAR WAY TOO EARLY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD JUST AS I WAS WELL INTO THE TURN AND NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION BEFORE I BECAME A DANGER TO THE ONCOMING CAR. THIS PUT ME INTO A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM AWARE THAT THE SENSITIVITY CAN BE ADJUSTED BUT, IN T...
THIS IS ANOTHER OCCURRENCE THEREFORE A CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT NUMBER 11258717. ON A SECOND OCCASION WHILE DRIVING IN THE EXPRESS LANES OF AN EXPRESSWAY, THE PRE-SENSE DISPLAYED A CROSSROAD INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON A LIMITED ACCESS EXPRESSWAY IN THE EXPRESS LANES. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD A CAR ...
I WAS STOPPED IN A TURN LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS 3 LANES OF OPPOSING TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR US HIGHWAY. . I STARTED THE TURN AND THE PRE-SENSE SYSTEM STOPPED THE CAR AS IT WAS ENTERING THE OPPOSING LANE OF TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A DISASTER AS THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS MOVING APPROXIMATE 50-60 MPH. FORTUNATELY FOR THE ONCOMING CAR, THE LANE ADJACENT WAS EMPTY AT THE MOMENT SO THEY COULD MOVE OVER...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Audi A5
Has the 2019 AUDI A5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 AUDI A5 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2019 AUDI A5 have?
The 2019 AUDI A5 has 12 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 AUDI A5?
The 2019 AUDI A5 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 AUDI A5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 AUDI A5 involve vehicle speed control (3 complaints), steering (2 complaints), electrical system,vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance (1 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,back over prevention, air bags,seats, latches/locks/linkages.
How many crash reports does the 2019 AUDI A5 have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2019 AUDI A5 out of 12 total complaints (8.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 AUDI A5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2019 AUDI A5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 AUDI A5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 AUDI A5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 AUDI A5?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 AUDI A5.
Should I buy a 2019 AUDI A5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 AUDI A5 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 12 complaints, 3 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 AUDI A5?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 AUDI A5 are: 1. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (3 complaints), 2. STEERING (2 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints), 5. AIR BAGS,SEATS (1 complaints). VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 AUDI A5?
Be aware of potential steering and cruise control malfunctions. Regular maintenance and monitoring are crucial. The 2019 AUDI A5 has 12 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2019 AUDI A5?
The 2019 AUDI A5 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 12 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Vehicle Speed Control and Cruise Control Malfunctions and Steering Malfunctions.
What are the known issues with the 2019 AUDI A5?
Known issues with the 2019 AUDI A5 include: Vehicle Speed Control and Cruise Control Malfunctions, Steering Malfunctions, Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunctions, Back Over Prevention System Malfunctions. These are based on patterns found across 12 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Can the cruise control and steering malfunctions be fixed?
Yes, these issues can typically be addressed through repairs or software updates. Consult a certified mechanic.
What should I do if I experience sudden steering failure?
Pull over safely, check for any mechanical issues, and seek professional assistance immediately.
Are there recalls for the 2019 Audi A5 related to these issues?
Yes, there are recalls for issues with the rear axle assembly and seats. Check for recalls and have your vehicle serviced.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential steering and cruise control malfunctions. Regular maintenance and monitoring are crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Audi A5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Audi A5. The data includes 12 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13