2019 Audi A5 Reliability Report

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

Excellent

Ranks 5th of 16 A5 years we score.

Owner complaints: 21; 1 is a recall notice
Per 10,000 cars: 6.6; 30,361 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.29×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 7; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 6
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2018 A5 2020 A5 →

Should You Buy the 2019 Audi A5?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2019 Audi A5 is 83 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 5th of the 16 A5 years we score.

The most reported problem is automatic emergency braking, mostly hard braking with nothing ahead (4 of 21 complaints). Owners also complain about the cooling system and the steering. 7 of the 21 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 6 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, emissions system and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2018 scores 75 and the 2020 scores 64.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 83
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead4 complaints
Cooling system failure2 complaints
Steering failure2 complaints

How the 2019 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	0.27×	−4
Everyday problems	0.34×	−2
Problems in the last two years	0.32×	−4
Recalls	1.1×	−7
Score		83

What Owners Report

We read all 21 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi A5, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 21.

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
4 complaints (19%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. Median mileage when it started: about 2,000 miles.
Cooling system failure
2 complaints (10%)
A failure and a leak.
Steering failure
2 complaints (10%)
A failure that needed a new part. Both describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.

Reported Once (15)

Show the 15 problems reported once

Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Door latches: child lock unlocks by itself while driving
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
Fuel gauge or level sensor: stopped working
Cruise control: works on and off
Phone and navigation: stopped working
Piston rings: early wear
Door lock actuators: not opening or unlocking
Rearview camera: stopped working
Start-stop system: stalling
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Tire pressure monitoring: the system not working when needed
Tires: damage
Wiring, fuses or body control module: works on and off

How the 2019 Audi A5 Compares With Other Years

The other A5 years of the 2nd generation, 2018 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	16.7	0	–
2025	Not scored	–	–	22.5	2	Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off
2024	Good	79	0.58×	3.7	0	A/C: stopped working
2023	Excellent	83	0.38×	2.8	1	Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
2022	Excellent	80	0.44×	5.1	3	Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
2021	Excellent	81	0.36×	4.8	5	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2020	Caution	64	3.6×	114.4	4	Screen and audio: works on and off
2019 This year	Excellent	83	0.29×	6.6	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2018	Good	75	0.56×	13.9	8	Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2017	Not scored	–	–	6.2	3	–

See every A5 year

2019 Audi A5 Recalls

Six recalls cover the 2019 Audi A5. The most recent was issued in January 2022: “Rear Axle May Be Misaligned.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Rear Axle May Be Misaligned
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V034000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 26, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Disabled Passenger Air Bag
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 21V874000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 10, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 77% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V295000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Terminal Cover Can Compromise 12-Volt Power Supply
In the event of a rear crash, the incorrect cover can cause the 12-volt power supply to be compromised, preventing the vehicle doors from being opened from the outside, or the hazard warning lights from functioning, increasing risk of injury.
NHTSA 20V760000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 9, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 90% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 19V547000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jul 24, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Shock Absorber Forks May Develop Cracks
Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
NHTSA 19V114000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 20, 2019. By the second quarter of 2020, 91% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2019 Audi A5 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2019 Audi A5, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, 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-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
The problem:
The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
The problem:
The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-06
EVAP purge valve or hose failure
The problem:
The EVAP purge valve or its hose can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the EVAP purge valve and hose and replaces them for free if they failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2019 to 2024 S6, S7 and RS5 with the 2.9 or 3.0 TFSI V6. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
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)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2019 A5 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

Sportback 4-door AWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

RS 5 Sportback 4-door AWD and S5 Sportback 4-door AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2019 A5, from its six recalls, four 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.

Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA 22V034000
Disabled Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 21V874000
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break NHTSA 21V295000
Terminal Cover Can Compromise 12-Volt Power Supply NHTSA 20V760000
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208 NHTSA 19V547000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 6 recalls and which are still open.

Ask an Audi Dealer

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

AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
AWA-23-06: EVAP purge valve or hose failure
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.

Ask the Seller

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

Automatic emergency braking
Cooling system
Steering
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.