2020 Audi S5 Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 20 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Audi S5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2020 Audi S5. The part named most often is electrical system, with 14 complaints (56% of the total), followed by other or unknown (12) and back-over prevention (11). NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 986 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 291 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 122 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system14 56%
- Other or unknown12 48%
- Lane departure2 8.0%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Regularly my MMI will restart, screen goes blank, comes back and says I'm not the registered user. Then bluetooth won't work and I get park aid errors and no rear cross traffic or anything. Happens at least 2 times each way to and from work ( 45min ). I usually have to hard reset it twice to get things normal and an ignition cycle to get park aid back.”
NHTSA complaint #11665115, filed 2025-06Other or unknown: “The MMI entertainment system completely reboots several times on a 10-15 minute drives this causes me to lose all visibility into my clusters, maps, GPS, and much more. This problem has been replicated by my local dealership with no solution to the issues. There are many others online with the same exact problem, and have yet to be given a solution. There is no warning to this issue happening as it's very random.”
NHTSA complaint #11668397, filed 2025-06Back-over prevention (rear camera): “I am writing to report a critical and recurring safety defect concerning the Multi Media Interface (MMI) system in my Audi S5. The MMI system consistently restarts itself approximately every 90 seconds, regardless of whether the vehicle is stationary (parking) or in motion (driving). This issue presents a significant safety hazard because critical sensor information and vehicle status displays, which are shown on the infotainment screen, become unavailable during each restart cycle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11676791, filed 2025-07Forward collision avoidance: “MMI system is failing, parking assist is malfunctioning, back up camera doesn’t activate, CarPlay turns off mid drive and reboots, navigation not working, car wants to brake at highway speeds as computer system malfunctions, Bluetooth phone connection drops mid call, overall the computer infotainment system has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #11676293, filed 2025-07Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Audi S5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5 Sportback · sedan AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 5 · 9.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2020 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2020 Audi S5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5 AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
| S5 Sportback AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 22V034000Jan 26, 2022TiresCovers: Audi S5 2019–2021, A5 2019–2021, RS 5 2019–2021 +20 more
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…
- 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passengerCovers: Audi S5 2018–2020, A4 2017–2020, A5 2018–2020 +2 more
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…
- 21V295000Apr 26, 2021Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assemblyCovers: Audi S5 2019–2021, A5 2019–2021, RS 5 2019–2021 +16 more
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…
- 20V737000Nov 25, 2020Exterior lighting › Tail lightsCovers: Audi S5 2020–2021, A5 2020–2021, RS 5 2021
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…
Recall details for the 2020 Audi S5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 986 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038031Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038032Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038090Sep 14, 2026Engine. This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment; V6 3.0L TFSI.
- 11038033Sep 8, 2026Body and structure. This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Other model years of the Audi S5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 8,577 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2020 | 25 | — | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2019 | 6 | 43,300 | 4 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 26 | 4,750 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2014 | 6 | 47,080 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 16 | 79,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 10 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 8 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 20 | 58,273 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Rising |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 Audi S5 have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2020 Audi S5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2020 Audi S5 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 14 complaints (56% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 12.
Has the 2020 Audi S5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Audi S5 get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Audi S5 (S5, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.