2020 Audi S5 Problems: 6 Known Issues

2020 Audi S5 Problems: 6 Known Issues | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls10 recalls

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.

Campaign #24V25100003/04/2024

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Campaign #21V60600005/08/2021

TIRES

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.

Campaign #22V03400026/01/2022

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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.

Campaign #20V73700025/11/2020

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Campaign #21V29500026/04/2021

+ 5 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Audi S5 problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 497+ owner reports, the 2020 Audi S5 has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1), Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3), Thermostat and Water Pump Assembly Failure. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Audi S5 reliable?

The 2020 Audi S5 has 6 known issues documented across 497+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1) and Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Audi S5 problems?

Repair costs for known Audi S5 issues range from $0 to $1,200, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2019-2021 Audi S5 Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1)?

Lock nuts from specific production batches used on the eccentric alignment bolt at the rear trailing arm are prone to stress corrosion cracking. If the nut fractures, the eccentric bolt can rotate and the rear wheel alignment changes on its own, producing sudden instability and a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2018-2020 Audi S5 Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3)?

The cable connecting the passenger seat heater mat to the Passenger Occupant Detection System can develop a contact fault. The control software misreads the fault as a PODS malfunction and switches the passenger frontal airbag off, so an occupied front passenger seat is left unpr… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2008-2025 Audi S5 Thermostat and Water Pump Assembly Failure?

The S5 3.0T thermostat and water pump assembly uses a plastic housing that degrades over time. Leaks develop at the housing seams and O-ring seals, often around 60,000-80,000 miles. Repairs typically run $400-$1,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2008-2025 Audi S5 3.0T Supercharger Intercooler Pump Failure?

The water-to-air intercooler system on the S5 3.0T uses an electric coolant pump that can fail, causing elevated charge air temperatures and reduced power. Heat soak becomes severe in warm climates. Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 2008-2025 Audi S5 Direct Injection Carbon Buildup?

The S5 suffers from carbon deposit accumulation on intake valves common to all Audi direct-injected engines. The performance-oriented tuning makes power loss from carbon more noticeable than in base models. Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2018-2022 Audi S5 PCV Diaphragm Tear in the Valve Cover Causing Runaway Idle and Whistle (B9 3.0T)?

On the B9 3.0 TFSI the crankcase pressure regulator (PCV) is integrated into the valve cover. The rubber diaphragm tears, opening a large unmetered vacuum leak into the intake. The signature is a loud whistle under the hood at idle that stops instantly when the oil filler cap is… Repairs typically run $450-$1,200. Severity: medium.

2020 Audi S5 Problems: 6 Known Issues

All 6 Known Issues

2019-2021 Audi S5: Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1)#

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2018-2020 Audi S5: Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3)#

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2008-2025 Audi S5: 3.0T Supercharger Intercooler Pump Failure#

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2008-2025 Audi S5: Direct Injection Carbon Buildup#

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2018-2022 Audi S5: PCV Diaphragm Tear in the Valve Cover Causing Runaway Idle and Whistle (B9 3.0T)#

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2008-2025 Audi S5: Thermostat and Water Pump Assembly Failure#

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Other Audi Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Audi S5 problems?

Is the Audi S5 reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Audi S5 problems?

What is the 2019-2021 Audi S5 Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1)?

What is the 2018-2020 Audi S5 Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3)?

What is the 2008-2025 Audi S5 Thermostat and Water Pump Assembly Failure?

What is the 2008-2025 Audi S5 3.0T Supercharger Intercooler Pump Failure?

What is the 2008-2025 Audi S5 Direct Injection Carbon Buildup?

What is the 2018-2022 Audi S5 PCV Diaphragm Tear in the Valve Cover Causing Runaway Idle and Whistle (B9 3.0T)?