OBD diagnostics · purchase protection

2020 Audi A5
Common Problems & Inspection Guide

Verify baseline vehicle system stability data. Learn what to check on the physical vehicle computer before signing a bill of sale.

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Platform Heritage

The Audi A5 is a series of compact executive and grand touring coupé cars produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since June 2007. The A5 range also includes the coupe, cabriolet, and "Sportback"—a five-door liftback with a fastback roofline—derived from the Audi A4 saloon and estate models. Under Audi's internal platform numbering convention, the A5 is a member of the B-platform series of vehicles, sharing its platform designation with the A4 saloon and Avant. The first generation A5 (Type 8T) belongs to the B8 family, while the second-generation model (Type 8W6) is based on the B9. Both generations are derived from the Volkswagen MLB (Modular Longitudinal Matrix) architecture.

Source: Wikipedia intro extract · as of Jun 23, 2026

Key facts for this model year

60NHTSA owner complaints
4Safety recalls on file
22Top issue reports · Electrical System
$0Typical OEM recall remedy cost to you

0 average monthly buyer searches in the US (google ads data · as of Jun 23, 2026). Run a MotoMetrics scan for your VIN to see live repair exposure.

Verify the data — open primary sources · as of Jun 23, 2026

System Defect Summaries & Field Data

Active safety recalls on file: 4 (source: NHTSA Recalls API · as of Jun 23, 2026)

Top NHTSA complaint categories

Recent recall summaries

Campaign 22V034000 · TIRES · API record

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 20V737000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS · API record

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 21V295000 · SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY · API record

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 21V874000 · SEATS · API record

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.

YouTube voice themes below are research hints only — verify against NHTSA data before citing.

On-Site Audi A5 Pre-Purchase Checklist

  1. Verify OBD-II readiness monitors are complete (not recently cleared) using a full protocol scan.
  2. Compare dashboard mileage to ECU-stored odometer modules where accessible.
  3. Pull permanent and pending DTCs — not only stored codes visible on the dash.
  4. Inspect systems related to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  5. Inspect systems related to UNKNOWN OR OTHER (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  6. Inspect systems related to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  7. Inspect systems related to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  8. Inspect systems related to UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  9. Confirm recall remedy completed for TIRES (campaign 22V034000).
  10. Confirm recall remedy completed for EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS (campaign 20V737000).
  11. Confirm recall remedy completed for SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY (campaign 21V295000).
  12. Run a MotoMetrics on-site scan for Audi A5 before signing the bill of sale.

Alternative Inferences & Cross-Shopping Matrix

Adjacent model years for this nameplate and equivalent footprints shoppers compare across brands.

Generational cohorts

2019 Audi A5 2021 Audi A5 2018 Audi A5 2017 Audi A5 2016 Audi A5

Class competitors

No cross-shop peers indexed in this segment yet.

Vehicle health varies wildly by individual history. Aggregate recall and complaint data cannot tell you whether the specific car on the lot had its monitors cleared or its odometer rolled back. Verify the physical or digital scan before you sign a bill of sale.

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