2016 AUDI A5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
9
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
12
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 AUDI A5
The 2016 AUDI A5 has received a total of 9 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (3 complaints), Power Train (2 complaints), and Electrical System (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2016 AUDI A5
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2016 AUDI A5, potentially affecting up to 902,647 vehicles.
Recall 18V229000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
| 342,867 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat...
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional...
View full details →Recall 17V622000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 216,913 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Consequence: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are...
View full details →Recall 17V002000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
| 342,867 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2016 AUDI A5
9 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 AUDI A5. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Immediately after taking it home from a dealership, I noticed the MMI system wasn’t turning on. I figured it would fix itself, but it’s been 4 days and nothing has happened. The screen stays black when starting the car. When I reset the MMI by holding the volume knob for 10 seconds, it briefly turns on but shuts itself off right after.
On August 3, 2025, my wife and I came home from dinner and I couldn’t get out of the driver’s side door. I took it to Naples Audi where I bought the car and delt with its Assistant Service Manager and Service Advisor. Audi estimated the repair to be over $1,300. I called Audi USA Regional Customer Service and Mike B opened a Case 06968056 for me. He got back to me today, August 7, and said Audi Corporate and Naples Audi will still make me pay $800 to do the repair. I'm submitting this claim because an inoperable door handle is a huge safety problem and liability to any Audi owner. The parts to repair cost $500, which includes a part to connect the interior handle to the door latch that opens the door, and 4 bolts! I found out the interior part of the door handle is made of plastic – unbelievably not metal. Audit Assistant Service Manager told me over time, especially in the southwest Florida heat, the plastic can become brittle and crack off the latch. One would think Audi Engineers would know to use metal versus plastic for this critical part that enable the door to open. Audi should fully cover the cost to fix my car due to “engineering mistake.” The part wasn’t broken based on anything I, or any other consumer, could do to provide service maintenance to keep this plastic part from cracking. This breakdown of the driver’s side door not being able to let me out, is a huge safety problem for anyone driving this car.
Car went into limp mode and check engine light came on.
Electromechanical steering rack has gone out. Had this completely failed while driving myself and others could be put in serious harm of a collision or crash. There are many online complaints and issues with the audi steering racks. No other warnings then it just went out at the same time it tells you stop driving.
The drive chain broke, causing permanent damage to the engine which requires a complete engine replacement. The car was 5 + years old with 38,000 miles on it and well maintained.
Safety Rating for the 2016 AUDI A5
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2016 AUDI A5 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 AUDI A5
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 AUDI A5. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
A402352202431813 — WHEELS
This technical service bulletin provides instructions for correcting a clicking sound from the wheel bearing(s).
A201911 2043357 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
This technical service bulletin provides a software code for correcting an issue that causes DTC P046100.
A911821 2051527 — EQUIPMENT
This informational bulletin contains instructions for when the Sirius presets are missing with no DTCs.
A201792 2043758- — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
This bulletin instructs the reader to diagnose issues with fuel pressure and to replace the fuel delivery unit with the new kit if the correct DTC and symptom code combination is present.
A01167820455491 — ENGINE
THIS TSB IS A REPAIR AUTHORIZATION FOR DTC P001600 (CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT CORRELATION) STORED IN THE ECM.
A9116612044940-1 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDES SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT PREVENTS GOOGLE EARTH FROM LOADING.
A20166920441821 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IS REPAIR AUTHORIZATION FOR ISSUES WITH FUELING THE VEHICLE.
155520415943 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE:FUEL LEVEL FLOAT/SENSOR/SENDING UNIT
Fuel level sensor, circuit range/performance - The ?check engine light? might illuminate with DTC P0461 stored in the engine control module. No engine-related problems are present, and the vehicle is safe to drive.
A201551 2042166- — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 20 number 15-49 dated October 15, 2015. The MIL is on. DTC P045600 (EVAP System Leak Detected NVLD (very small leak)) is stored in the engine control module (ECM), J623 (address word 01). Drivability is not affected. Various parts have been replaced under warranty for...
PDI - 2016 A5-S5 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This document contains the Audi delivery guidelines checklist. This document is in Spanish.
Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 AUDI A5
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI A5
- 2011 AUDI A5 — 27 complaints
- 2012 AUDI A5 — 25 complaints
- 2013 AUDI A5 — 43 complaints
- 2014 AUDI A5 — 38 complaints
- 2015 AUDI A5 — 11 complaints
- 2016 AUDI A5 (current)
- 2017 AUDI A5 — 0 complaints
- 2018 AUDI A5 — 46 complaints
- 2019 AUDI A5 — 18 complaints
- 2020 AUDI A5 — 102 complaints
- 2021 AUDI A5 — 8 complaints