2020 Audi A5 Safety Report

2020 Audi A5 faces significant electrical system and MMI reboot issues, alongside four safety recalls, with no official NHTSA crash test ratings.

60Complaints
4Recalls
45/100Reliability Score
1Crash Reports
1Deaths
Most reported components: Electrical System (22)Unknown Or Other (10)Electrical System,Back Over Prevention (6)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other (5)Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention (3)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention (3)Electrical System,Lane Departure (1)Back Over Prevention (1)Electrical System,Seat Belts,Unknown Or Other (1)Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Audi A5

The 2020 Audi A5 presents a mixed safety picture. While NHTSA has not conducted crash tests for this specific model, indicating no official safety ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are N/A), the vehicle has accumulated 60 total complaints, including 1 crash and 1 death, with no reported fires. A significant concern arises from the high number of complaints related to the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, which accounts for 22 of the 60 complaints, and frequently involves the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system. This system's random reboots are a recurring theme, impacting critical safety features like the backup camera, parking sensors, and collision avoidance systems, as detailed in numerous complaints. Recall history for the 2020 Audi A5 includes four distinct campaigns. These recalls address potentially serious issues such as rear axle misalignment (TIRES and SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY recalls), which could lead to a loss of control and increased crash risk. Another recall pertains to SEATS, specifically a disabled passenger airbag, increasing injury risk in a crash. The EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS recall highlights a potential wiring harness issue that could prevent doors from being opened externally after a rear crash. These recalls indicate manufacturing or design flaws that could compromise safety. The prevalence of MMI system complaints, often linked to the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, suggests a significant design or software flaw that directly impacts driver awareness and active safety features. The single reported death, while not directly linked to a specific component in the provided data, underscores the importance of addressing these systemic issues. The lack of official crash test ratings means that passive safety performance is unverified by NHTSA, placing more emphasis on the identified active safety system malfunctions and recall resolutions.

Reliability Score

The 2020 Audi A5 receives a reliability score of 45 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2020 Audi A5

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Audi A5:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Mmi System Random Reboots
The Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system frequently reboots unexpectedly, disabling critical safety features like the backup camera, parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and navigation, posing a significant distraction and safety hazard, especially while reversing or driving.
High Common unknown miles
Rear Axle Misalignment
Recalls indicate potential rear axle misalignment due to issues with tires or suspension lock nuts, which can cause premature tire wear or loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk.
High Occasional unknown miles
Disabled Passenger Airbag
A recall addresses a potential issue where the passenger airbag may be disabled, increasing the risk of injury to the passenger in the event of a crash.
High Rare unknown miles
Rear Light Wiring Harness Damage
A recall identifies a missing scuff protection for the rear light wiring harness, which could lead to wire damage in a rear crash, preventing doors from being opened from the outside.
Medium Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Audi A5:

Electrical System 36% of complaints

The most common complaints, accounting for 22 out of 60, are related to the electrical system, primarily involving the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system's random reboots and associated loss of functionality for safety features.

Unknown Or Other 16% of complaints

10 complaints are categorized as 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER', suggesting issues that don't fit neatly into standard categories or are vaguely described.

Electrical System,Back Over Prevention 10% of complaints

6 complaints specifically link electrical system issues with back over prevention, indicating MMI reboots directly impacting backup camera and parking sensor functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Audi A5

Is the 2020 Audi A5 safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 Audi A5 has no official crash test ratings. However, it has 60 complaints, including 1 crash and 1 death. A significant concern is the high number of electrical system complaints (22 out of 60), primarily related to the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system randomly rebooting and disabling safety features like the backup camera. There are also four recalls addressing serious issues such as rear axle misalignment and a disabled passenger airbag.

What are common problems with the 2020 Audi A5?

The most reported issues for the 2020 Audi A5 are related to the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 22 complaints. Within this category, the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system's random reboots are a prevalent problem, often leading to the temporary loss of backup camera, parking sensors, and navigation functionality. Other complaints fall under 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' and specific combinations like 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION'.

Are there any recalls for the 2020 Audi A5?

Yes, the 2020 Audi A5 has four recalls. These include issues with TIRES (rear axle misalignment), SEATS (disabled passenger airbag), SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY (broken lock nut causing rear axle misalignment), and EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS (missing wiring harness scuff protection).

How do the MMI system reboots affect safety?

The MMI system reboots significantly affect safety by causing a sudden loss of critical visual and auditory safety aids. When the system reboots, the backup camera, parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and navigation become temporarily unavailable. This can be particularly dangerous when reversing or in situations requiring immediate driver awareness, as noted in multiple complaints.

What is the overall reliability of the 2020 Audi A5?

While a direct reliability score isn't provided by NHTSA, the 2020 Audi A5's 60 complaints, particularly the high frequency of electrical system/MMI issues and four recalls addressing significant component failures, suggest potential reliability concerns, especially regarding its infotainment and associated safety systems.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Prospective buyers of a 2020 Audi A5 should be aware of the prevalent MMI system reboot issues and ensure all four safety recalls have been addressed. Given the lack of NHTSA crash test ratings, prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on electrical systems and recall compliance.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Audi A5

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Audi A5. The data includes 60 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, and 1 fatalities 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.