A faulty pre-sense system, steering, and rear axle issues are the cause of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The Audi A5 has been around for more than a decade. A series of executive coupe cars, the A5 has sold well in the U.S., particularly in the past three years, 2017-2019. Audi promotes the 2019 model as being a combination of “sporty harmony and dynamic elegance in design.” But owners with faulty pre-sense systems, steering malfunctions, or broken rear axles are more concerned with safety than good looks.
Click on another model year to view more problems: 2020
As is often the case, there were very few complaints from 2019 Audi A5 owners to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) when the car was new on the road. In fact, there were only 2 complaints in 2019, both from the same Florida owner, and both reported issues with the car’s pre-sense system, which is supposed to be a safety feature.
There was only 1 NHTSA complaint in 2020, also about the pre-sense system. There were 3 in 2021, one relating to broken rear axle components and another to the pre-sense system, again. Since then there have been 4 more complaints, 2 about steering failures.
So, these are the most common problems, with the pre-sense system issue taking the top spot. Other complaints are varied and include an issue with rain collecting inside a car door. There is a complaint about car doors locking on their own. Another one states that the parts required for an airbag-related recall are not available.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Steering | |
| Electrical System | |
| Air Bags | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | |
| Seats | |
| Structure:body |
The Audi Pre-Sense is an advanced technology that is supposed to help drivers prevent collisions. But when it malfunctions it risks causing them.
The first 2 pre-sense system complaints were from an owner in Florida who had recurring problems with “serious software defects.” The first incident was in September 2019 when making a left turn across 3 lanes of traffic coming in the opposite direction on a major highway. The driver started turning, but the pre-sense system stopped the car, automatically applying the brakes and “almost causing a disaster.” At the time, the oncoming traffic was moving at about 50-60 mph. Luckily, the driver was able to move over so the other cars could pass.
The next complaint was from the same owner who had a pre-sense system malfunction on an expressway a month later. This time, the system displayed “a crossroad indication on the instrument display and applied brakes.” The car was traveling at about 75 mph in the express lane.
An owner from California had a similar experience at a four-way intersection. The system detected an oncoming car “way too early.” The driver was well into the turn and needed to get out of the intersection. Instead of keeping the A5 safe, it “created a hazard.” The same thing happened several times when the owner was backing up and any potential danger was “well away from my car.” Turning the setting to the least sensitive position seemed to help.
Two years later, in August 2021, another owner from California stated that the pre-sense system had jammed on the brakes 3 times. Every time it was in a controlled intersection on a green light when there was ample time to make a safe turn. The complaint states that “serious accidents could have resulted.” This owner, who had previously tried using the least sensitive position, has chosen to turn off the system.
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A 2019 Audi A5 owner from New York was driving at about 50 mph when “Steering Malfunction” flashed on the instrument panel. “Moments later, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn in either direction.” After having the car towed to a dealer, the owner was informed that the car, with 17,000 miles on the clock, had a faulty power steering module that had to be replaced.
An owner from New Jersey was driving down a highway at 55 mph when the electric power steering suddenly failed. “I almost crashed into the barrier as I was in the passing lane. My steering failure message popped up on my instrument cluster and (the) steering wheel became stiff. I had my mom and niece in the vehicle with me. This vehicle could have hurt all three of us. It is difficult to turn the steering wheel now.”
There are 3 recalls for the 2019 Audi A5, two of which relate to the rear axle. The first issued on April 26, 2021, potentially affects up to 40,993 Audis, including the 2019 A5. It states that the rear axle lock nuts may break. The second from January 26, 2022, potentially affects as many as 31,058 Audis including the 2019 A5. This recall notice says the rear axle may be misaligned. Both rear axle issues increase the risk of a crash.
While clearly a rear axle problem, this complaint doesn’t mention a recall. This, even though the incident happened in September 2021 after the first recall was announced. The Washington DC owner of the car was driving when the rear of the car began vibrating, then fishtailing. “I lost control and hit a curb resulting in mostly forward damage.”
Although the driver wasn’t injured, there was substantial damage to the car, particularly to the rear suspension. A trailing arm lock nut was broken, as well as a washer, a bolt, the protector lining, and the lower control arm and its lock nut and control arm mount bolt. The complaint states that these “broken rear axle components caused me to lose control of my vehicle resulting in forward impact with a curb. My car was deemed a total loss with $28K in estimated repairs.”
If you think your 2019 Audi A5 is a lemon, it may help to know what kind of recurring problems other owners are having. But your problems may be totally different. Ultimately, if you are experiencing problems that affect the use or value of your car, you might have bought a lemon.
It’s not your fault. Every year automakers like Audi buy back, replace, or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners. The law makes Audi pay the legal fees for lemon-related legal fees. So, if you’d like Lemberg Law to assess your 2019 Audi A5 problems free of charge, call our Helpline or fill out a contact form.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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