2020 Audi S5 Safety Report
2020 Audi S5 Safety Report: Electrical System and Infotainment Issues
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Audi S5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Audi S5. 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 (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (25) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Audi S5 with 1 complaints and 5 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Audi S5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S5 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 S5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi S5 | 1 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Audi S5 | 5 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Audi S5 | 26 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Audi S5 | 3 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi S5 | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Audi S5 | 4 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2020 Audi S5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Audi S5, 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.
Electrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Audi S5
Reliability Score
The 2020 Audi S5 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 2020 Audi S5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Audi S5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infotainment System Reboots The infotainment system in the 2020 Audi S5 frequently reboots, causing safety concerns such as the loss of backup cameras and navigation. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention System The back over prevention system can be affected by the frequent reboots of the infotainment system, potentially leading to reduced safety. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System The forward collision avoidance system can be affected by the frequent reboots of the infotainment system, potentially leading to reduced safety. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Recall Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe due to tire issues. |
Low | Common | 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 2020 Audi S5:
The infotainment system is the most common issue reported.
Tire recall is a common issue reported.
Seats are a common issue reported.
Suspension issues are a common issue reported.
Recall Details for the 2020 Audi S5
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Audi S5 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.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
Consequence: Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Audi S5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Audi S5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
MMI - Multi Media Interface constantly reboots about every 90 seconds. This is a safety issue since if I am backing up and the MMI reboots I lose the backup camera and when the MMI reboots I also lose collision/parking/proximity sensors. This issue started happening with my Audi on 7/26/25 and can be reproduced every time the ignition is on or car is running. From doing a quick search on the in...
THE RADIO (MMI SYSTEM) IS REBOOTING WHILE DRIVING EVERY 5-10 MIN. DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIX AND IS AFFECTING SAFETY SYTEMS LIKE FRONT AND REAR CAMERAS/SENSORS.
I am writing to report a critical and recurring safety defect concerning the Multi Media Interface (MMI) system in my Audi S5. The MMI system consistently restarts itself approximately every 90 seconds, regardless of whether the vehicle is stationary (parking) or in motion (driving). This issue presents a significant safety hazard because critical sensor information and vehicle status displays, w...
Sudden reboot of the vehicle's infotainment system, which then repeats every 60-90 seconds consistently. The reboot has happened while reversing the vehicle, which results in losing view of the backup camera and parking sensors / rear cross traffic detection. This issue was originally sparse, but after 7/14 manifests 100% of the time when using the vehicle. This represents a safety issue due to th...
Audi MMI reboots constantly while the car is one. There is about 30 seconds between each reboot. This causes certain safety features like the backup camera to stop working when in use. I am not sure what the cause is but this seems to be a more common issue with the 2020 Audi's.
MMI system is failing, parking assist is malfunctioning, back up camera doesn’t activate, CarPlay turns off mid drive and reboots, navigation not working, car wants to brake at highway speeds as computer system malfunctions, Bluetooth phone connection drops mid call, overall the computer infotainment system has failed.
Component or System that Failed or Malfunctioned: The infotainment system in my vehicle fails frequently and unpredictably. This includes both the built-in system and connected features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is available for inspection upon request. How Was Safety Put at Risk: The failure of the infotainment system creates multiple serious safety hazards. First, it di...
"The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation, become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. The reboots have affected other sensors/systems in the car like resetting my stored tire pressure values resulting in a TPMS malfunction w...
Main computer, multi media interface, MMI constantly shuts off and disconnects from system. This renders all backup cameras, traffic sensors and impact avoidance sensors inoperative. It also stops speedometer
My vehicles MMI screen keeps rebooting every 90 seconds, this makes hands free calling, multimedia functions, cameras etc non functional while driving. I have an appt with the dealership next week, but I'm seeing a lot of negative experiences regarding Audi's acceptance of this flaw, leading to large expenses put on the owner. Safety concerns are low, but still exist, inability to use navigation, ...
The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation, become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. The last few days this issue has gone from happening once or maybe twice a day to almost every single minute I am driving the vehicle. Comp...
I own a 2020 Audi S5. The central infotainment screen (MMI) has been randomly restarting while driving. At first, it only happened occasionally, but the issue has gotten significantly worse. It now restarts every 5 to 10 minutes during normal driving. When the screen reboots, I temporarily lose access to important vehicle functions, including the backup camera, navigation, and audio controls. This...
MMI or the center console screen is shutting down and rebooting during random intervals during driving and stopped. Causing the sensors to say there’s an error and not function. GPS, and volume control also go out.
For the past 6 months, I have experiencing Audi MMI reboots on every single drive. It is rather dangerous as if I am navigating using car navigation and suddenly lost connection to the route. I had few instances when I was backing up to a driveway or garage, the backup camera shuts down during backing as MMI needs reboot. There are many others online having the same issue. This is a safety issue ...
The MMI restarts constantly every day sometimes multiple times within minutes of each other. There is no correlation with other vehicle feature or functions that cause these restarts to happen and they are not in any specific pattern . When the MMI system reboots, the rearview camera and parking sensor display go dark, making parking and reversing unsafe, which directly impacts the functionality...
The mmi system reboots randomly throughout nearly every drive. This has happened when backing up causing a loss of access to backup cameras and sensors making me stop in the middle of the road.
The MMI entertainment system completely reboots several times on a 10-15 minute drives this causes me to lose all visibility into my clusters, maps, GPS, and much more. This problem has been replicated by my local dealership with no solution to the issues. There are many others online with the same exact problem, and have yet to be given a solution. There is no warning to this issue happening as ...
MMI keeps rebooting while driving, even during reverse. Happens randomly every 20 minutes.
The MMI system will turn off, and reset, while driving. this occurs constantly, starting about two months ago. This causes the screen to go blank, and today I almost ran over a pedestrian as the system stopped while backing up. Luckily, I stopped, but was in cross traffic, and was not an ideal situation. This occurs, and I've tried using as a guest, instead of the user, and the same result occu...
Regularly my MMI will restart, screen goes blank, comes back and says I'm not the registered user. Then bluetooth won't work and I get park aid errors and no rear cross traffic or anything. Happens at least 2 times each way to and from work ( 45min ). I usually have to hard reset it twice to get things normal and an ignition cycle to get park aid back.
Showing 20 of 25 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Audi S5
Has the 2020 AUDI S5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 AUDI S5 has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 AUDI S5 have?
The 2020 AUDI S5 has 25 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 AUDI S5?
The 2020 AUDI S5 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 2020 AUDI S5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 AUDI S5 involve electrical system (6 complaints), unknown or other (6 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other,back over prevention (3 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,forward collision avoidance, electrical system,back over prevention,forward collision avoidance, unknown or other,back over prevention,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2020 AUDI S5 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2020 AUDI S5 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2020 AUDI S5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 AUDI S5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 AUDI S5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI S5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 AUDI S5?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI S5.
Should I buy a 2020 AUDI S5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 AUDI S5 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 25 complaints, 4 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 AUDI S5?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 AUDI S5 are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION (3 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 AUDI S5?
Be cautious of the infotainment system reboots and tire recall. Ensure the infotainment system is functioning properly and consider getting the tires checked. The 2020 AUDI S5 has 25 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2020 AUDI S5?
The 2020 AUDI S5 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 25 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Infotainment System Reboots and Back Over Prevention System.
What are the known issues with the 2020 AUDI S5?
Known issues with the 2020 AUDI S5 include: Infotainment System Reboots, Back Over Prevention System, Forward Collision Avoidance System, Tire Recall. These are based on patterns found across 25 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2020 Audi S5?
Common issues include infotainment system reboots and tire recalls.
How can the infotainment system reboots affect safety?
The reboots can cause the loss of backup cameras and navigation, affecting safety.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Audi S5 tires?
Yes, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe due to tire issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the infotainment system reboots and tire recall. Ensure the infotainment system is functioning properly and consider getting the tires checked.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Audi S5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Audi S5. The data includes 25 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 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