Electrical issues are the cause of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Produced in various forms, the Audi A5 has been selling in the U.S. since it was introduced in 2007 as a 2008 model. It is one of the top-ranked small luxury cars in the U.S. entry-level luxury segment. But consumer complaints detract from its popularity. Owners of the 2020 Audi A5 are experiencing module failure that affects the audible SOS alarm. They are also having problems with the rear backup camera screen and the speedometer digital display screen. These are all basically electrical issues.
Click on another model year to view more problems: 2019
All four of the complaints listed with the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) about the 2020 Audi A5 relate directly or indirectly to the electrical system. It’s not clear whether some are related to software issues.
All of them relate to the A5 2-door and the Sportback A5 4-door.
There are also 4 recalls that all relate to these 2 models as well:
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Equipment:electrical:infotainment:bluetooth/wifi | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls | |
| Wheels |
Audi has made it clear, publicly, that the company intends to gradually phase out internal combustion engine-powered vehicles and become an all-electric manufacturer. But right now, the A5 is not an electric car. Yet, its worst nightmare is probably the many electrical system and related faults that are plaguing the 2020 model.
Issues include module failure that affects the audible SOS alarm, the rear backup camera that displays a black screen, and a faulty speedometer digital display screen.
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A complaint from an owner in Indiana describes how the module failure sounds every two to four minutes while they are driving. It also affects the Bluetooth connection for the hands-free phone. He was told by the Audi dealership that there was a recall, but it was removed because there weren’t any parts available.
The complaint states that the alarm is “very loud” and variable, so it can easily frighten or distract the driver. The Audi dealer told him that at least 5 other A5 owners have the same problem. It’s nothing new. And they have no idea when Audi will send replacement modules.
The complaint states that this is a driving hazard that probably impacts thousands of customers if 5 at one dealership is any indication. “The first time this alarm sounded, my wife nearly drove off the road.”
An owner from Los Angeles had a similar experience in a 2020 Audi A5 Sportback in May 2021. The module was replaced when the original recall was initiated. We have subsequently learned that the module malfunctioned again, a year later, in 2022. Since then, there have not been any fixes or estimated time of delivery for replacement parts.
It is not apparent from this particular complaint where the 2020 Audi A5 lives. But it states that where he lives, the speed on the roads is measured in km/h.
He states that the A5 allows the speedometer digital display screen (Audi virtual cockpit) to be switched to display mph or km/h. When it works correctly, “the speedometer should display the speed with digits and an analog simulation. The display works perfectly when in mph. However, when switching to km/h, the analog simulation properly shows km/h. But the digital reading will switch to km/h for a split second but then immediately reverts back to mph.”
The defect has been confirmed by two Audi service technicians at the owner’s local service center. But, according to them, “Audi doesn’t have an update for this defect.” The owner has had no success contacting or getting answers from Audi customer service.
He believes it is a safety issue because it can be confusing. “I expect to see the speed in km/h in both digital and analog displays, but it shows the digital in mph.”
Ultimately, the complaint states that, after trying to resolve the issue with the manufacturer for a year, he believes his safety and the safety of others are compromised. For example, “if I glance down and see 100 on the display in a 100 km/h zone, I think I am going the speed limit. But in fact, I would actually be going 100 MPH or 160 km/h, which would obviously be dangerous.”
When engaging into reverse gear, a Michigan owner of a 2020 Audi A5 finds that the rear backup camera displays a black screen. “This happens 95% of the time,” and started after the 10k dealer service.
This owner’s guess is that it is probably a fault related to a recall on 2022 models that have the same infotainment system.
If your 2020 Audi A5 has an electrical system or any other recurring problems you might have bought a lemon. While the number of vehicles that turn out to be lemons is low, it happens all the time. This is why manufacturers are forced to pay lemon owners cash settlements or buy back, trade-in, or replace their vehicles.
Lemberg Law has negotiated settlements for many lemon owners. It’s a lot easier when you have an experienced lemon lawyer on your side. Also, the costs aren’t a factor because the law says Audi must pay the legal fees for lemon law cases.
If you have problems with your 2020 Audi A5 that are affecting its use and/or value, we can assess your problems free of charge. All you have to do is call our Helpline or fill in a contact form. We will do the rest.
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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