2014 Audi A5 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 12th of 16 A5 years we score.

Owner complaints: 40; 6 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 17.8; 19,078 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.51×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 11; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 3
NHTSA crash rating: –

← 2013 A5 2015 A5 →

Should You Buy the 2014 Audi A5?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2014 Audi A5 is 76 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 12th of the 16 A5 years we score.

The most reported problem is the steering, mostly sticking or stiffness (9 of 40 complaints). Owners also complain about piston rings or cylinders and the brakes. 11 of the 40 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers five warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the emissions system, engine and driver assistance systems. For comparison, the 2013 scores 73 and the 2015 scores 88.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-16-08 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 76
About half the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Steering: sticking or stiffness9 complaints
Piston rings failure3 complaints
Brakes: vibration or shudder2 complaints

How the 2014 A5 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.46×	−7
Everyday problems	0.62×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.98×	−9
Recalls	0.65×	−5
Score		76

What Owners Report

We read all 40 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Audi A5, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Steering: sticking or stiffness
9 complaints (23%)
Sticking or stiffness, locking up and a failure that needed a new part. 2 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Piston rings failure
3 complaints (8%)
A failure and parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Brakes: vibration or shudder
2 complaints (5%)
Vibration or shudder.
Engine: stalling
2 complaints (5%)
Stalling and a failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Stall (cause not stated)
2 complaints (5%)
Stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Timing chain or camshaft failure
2 complaints (5%)
A failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (17)

Show the 17 problems reported once

Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Brake power assist failure
Cabin odor or mold
Control module (unspecified): fault code
Cooling system failure
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
Fuel injector: stalling
Fuel pump: stalling
Fuel system: stalling
Screen and audio: stopped working
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Suspension (part not stated) failure
Phone and navigation: stopped working
Rearview camera: stopped working
Seats: damage
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights

How the 2014 Audi A5 Compares With Other Years

The other A5 years of the 1st generation, 2008 to 2017, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2018	Good	75	0.56×	13.9	8	Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2017	Not scored	–	–	6.2	3	–
2016	Excellent	86	0.27×	6.8	3	Loss of power (cause not stated)
2015	Excellent	88	0.21×	7.6	3	Brakes: vibration or shudder
2014 This year	Good	76	0.51×	17.8	3	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2013	Good	73	0.70×	24.4	3	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2012	Excellent	82	0.39×	13.1	3	Cooling system: a leak
2011	Excellent	80	0.44×	17.0	3	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2010	Good	73	0.87×	32.1	2	Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2009	Excellent	85	0.33×	12.5	1	Cooling system: a leak
2008	Good	77	0.66×	22.2	1	Screen and audio: works on and off

See every A5 year

2014 Audi A5 Recalls

Three recalls cover the 2014 Audi A5. The most recent was issued in April 2018: “Coolant Pump May Overheat or Short-Circuit.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Coolant Pump May Overheat or Short-Circuit
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 18V229000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 11, 2018. By the second quarter of 2020, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Auxiliary Heater Electrical Connector May Melt
Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt. The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 17V622000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 5, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 86% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Coolant Pump May Overheat and Cause Fire
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 17V002000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 3, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2014 Audi A5 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has five warranty extensions for the 2014 Audi A5, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine, emissions system and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-16-08
Dust in the leak detection pressure switch
The problem:
Dust can contaminate the natural vacuum leak detection, or NVLD, pressure switch. Fault codes then turn on the check engine light. Audi says tailpipe emissions are not affected.
The fix:
An Audi dealer checks for free whether the switch caused the light. If it did, the dealer replaces the switch for free.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2011 to 2015 Audis. The bulletin names no model, and an owner letter names the 2013 to 2015 RS5. The faulty switch must have turned the light on and kept it on.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-19-06
Engine water pump failure, 2.0 engine
The problem:
The main engine water pump on the 2.0 EA888 engine can fail. A failed water pump can also damage the engine.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed water pump. Audi pays 5 to 100 percent of engine damage it caused, based on age and mileage.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2008 to 2014 Audis with the 2.0 EA888 engine in the class action settlement. The owner needs records showing the right coolant was used and checked on schedule, within 10 percent, or a signed declaration. Totaled cars are excluded.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-04
Turbocharger failure
The problem:
The turbo can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed turbo, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain settlement class cars: 2013 to 2016 A4 sedan and allroad, 2013 to 2017 A5 and Q5, and 2012 to 2015 A6. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not. Each car's term depends on coolant pump work.
Coverage:
At least 14 months from April 12, 2021 or a coolant pump recall. No miles are stated. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-01
High oil use or fractured pistons
The problem:
2012 to 2014 A4, A5, A6, Q5 and TT can use too much oil. On 2015 to 2017 A3 and 2016 to 2017 TT, a piston can fracture.
The fix:
Audi pays 75 percent of an Audi dealer's repair. Engine damage caused by the problem is paid at 25 to 100 percent, based on age and mileage.
Who qualifies:
Cars in the settlement class. The owner must prove oil maintenance within 10 percent of schedule during their ownership, or sign a sworn statement if records are missing. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Coverage:
9 years or 90,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first. Cars past 9 years on January 29, 2024 got until April 8, 2024.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2014 A5, from its three recalls, five Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Coolant Pump May Overheat or Short-Circuit NHTSA 18V229000
Auxiliary Heater Electrical Connector May Melt NHTSA 17V622000
Coolant Pump May Overheat and Cause Fire NHTSA 17V002000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-16-08: dust in the leak detection pressure switch
AWA-19-06: engine water pump failure, 2.0 engine
AWA-21-04: turbocharger failure
AWA-24-01: high oil use or fractured pistons
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Steering
Piston rings or cylinders
Brakes
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A5 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.