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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: 2018 2020
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2019 Audi A5
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Steering | |
| Air Bags | |
| Seats | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | |
| Suspension | |
| Wheels | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Structure:body |
Most Common Problems with the 2019 Audi A5
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.
Problems with the Pre-Sense System
The Audi Pre-Sense is an advanced technology that is supposed to help drivers prevent collisions. But when it malfunctions it risks causing them.
Complaints from Florida
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.
Complaints from California
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.
Steering Problems
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.”
Rear Axle Problems
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.”
What to do if your 2019 Audi A5 is a Lemon?
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.
Complaint Data
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Jan 04, 2023 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | Hello, I was driving down highway at 55mph when my electric power steering failed suddenly. I almost crashed to the barrier as I was in the passing lane. My steering failure message popped up on my instrument cluster and steering wheel became stiff. I had my mom and niece in the vehicle with me. This vehicle could had hurt all three of us. It is difficult to turn the steering wheel now. Failure message is still active. |
| Category | Air Bags, Seats |
| Date | Jun 21, 2022 |
| State | CO |
| Description | The contact owns a 2019 audi a5. The contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 21v874000 (seats, air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. |
| Category | Latches/locks/linkages |
| Date | Jun 02, 2022 |
| State | TX |
| Description | The contact owns a 2019 audi a5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, all four doors of the vehicle locked independently while she was outside of the vehicle and in possession of the keys. The contact was unable to unlock the door of the vehicle using the key fob or the keys manually. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son who was occupying the vehicle assisted her in unlocking the doors. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while her two-year-old daughter was in the car seat on the rear passenger's side. The contact was unable to unlock the door of the vehicle using the key fob or the keys manually. The contact was finally able to unlock the vehicle with the assistance of the fire department. Additionally, the contact stated that the child safety lock of the vehicle was manual and would unlock inadvertently while driving, which made it possible for her daughter to open the door. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Jan 03, 2022 |
| State | NY |
| Description | The contact owns a 2019 audi a5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the "steering malfunction" message displayed on the instrument panel and continued flashing. Moments later the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who discovered that the power steering module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 17,000. |
| Category | Steering, Suspension, Wheels |
| Date | Oct 08, 2021 |
| State | DC |
| Description | I was driving when the rear of my car began vibrating, then fishtailing and I lost control and hit a curb resulting in mostly forward damage. In reviewing the preliminary estimate from the auto-shop and insurance adjuster, there was quite a bit of damage to the rear suspension including a broken trailing arm lock nut, washer, and bolt, as well as the protector lining, lower control arm, its lock nut and the control arm mount bolt. The 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 k in estimated repairs. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Date | Sep 13, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | On three different occasions, I have experienced automatic emergency braking of the car which, rather than keeping me safe, placed me in a very dangerous situation. Each time, I was in a controlled intersection on a green light and in the left turn lane, with oncoming traffic also having a green light. When it was amply safe to make the left turn, with oncoming traffic at a safe distance from the intersection, I began my left turn. Just as my car was turning in front of that oncoming traffic, and just as I needed to proceed safely and promptly through the intersection, the pre-sense system jammed on the brakes, stopping my car in the path of oncoming traffic. In the time it took to get over the shock of that happening and finish the turn, and if the oncoming traffic had not been paying attention, serious accidents could have resulted. Please note that all three of these incidents occurred with the pre-sense system set at its least sensitive position. I have since turned the system off completely. I have not contacted the dealer or the manufacturer. |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | May 03, 2021 |
| State | VA |
| Description | Water is collecting in the rear passenger door well or the door sill. Water sloshing is heard when braking or accelerating from stop. Problem is more severe after rains or car washes. |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Jan 10, 2020 |
| State | CA |
| Description | On two occasions so far, when making a left turn in a four way intersection, the pre-sense system detected an oncoming car way too early and applied the brakes hard just as I was well into the turn and needed to get out of the intersection before I became a danger to the oncoming car. This put me into a potentially very dangerous situation. I am aware that the sensitivity can be adjusted but, in this case, there was no danger at all until my car braked suddenly as I was trying to complete my turn safely. That actually created a hazard. As with other similar complaints that I have read about, I believe that the software is still somewhat imperfect. I have since selected the least sensitive setting and have had no further problems. The pre-sense system has also braked hard several times when backing up even though any potential danger was still well away from my car. The braking is so harsh and startling, that alone could cause unintended consequences. |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Oct 05, 2019 |
| State | FL |
| Description | This is another occurrence therefore a continuation of complaint number 11258717. On a second occasion while driving in the express lanes of an expressway, the pre-sense displayed a crossroad indication on the instrument display and applied the brakes while I was going approximately 75 mph on a limited access expressway in the express lanes. Can you imagine what would have happened if I had a car tailgating me at that time? There is some serious software defects with this system. Is anyone going to respond to this? |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Sep 28, 2019 |
| State | FL |
| Description | I was stopped in a turn lane to make a left turn across 3 lanes of opposing traffic on a major us highway. . I started the turn and the pre-sense system stopped the car as it was entering the opposing lane of traffic almost causing a disaster as the oncoming traffic was moving approximate 50-60 mph. Fortunately for the oncoming car, the lane adjacent was empty at the moment so they could move over and pass me safely as I was stuck in the lane of the oncoming traffic with the brakes automatically applied. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 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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