2023 AUDI A5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

In mid May, 2025 I noticed at slow speed, a loud thumping noise was coming right rear of car. I brought it to the dealer on May 19, 2025. I was told to wait for analysis of the problem. After about two hours, the service advisor informed me that the mechanics had found and repaired a malfunction in the All-Wheel Drive mechanism. I was told that the car was safe to drive. Within a few days, I noted that the problem was back. I made a service appointment for June 17, 2025. The dealer kept the car for two days. At the end of that time, the service advisor informed me that the Audi All Wheel Drive system requires fluid at very high temperatures in order to function properly. According to him, I am the cause of the problem because I do not drive distances far enough to "heat up the fluid" enough to make the system function properly. He further said that the AWD system will not function properly unless I drove 20-30 miles. How does one stop if the drive system is out of control???

I have had multiple issues with this vehicle. After having it for a few months while on a road trip the car begin high pitched beeping and several warning lights displayed with messages stating Audi pre sense malfunction: contact customer service/ AES/AEB unavailable. Safety System: malfunction: See Owners Manual. Drive System malfunction. Three warning lamps illuminated as well. I wasn’t sure what was happening and pulled over at the next exit, called my husband. After turning off the vehicle the lights remained illuminated and the warning lamps didn’t change, it also continued to beep but I had not choice but to continue on as we were far from home but it left me rattled and nervous of the safety of the vehicle. After the dealership advised us there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and they weren’t sure why the lights and malfunctions displayed. They turned off the lights and the car was fine for another few weeks until it suddenly slammed on the breaks while driving down the road for no reason at all, all the lights and malfunctions begin again as well as the beeping. Luckily there wasn’t a car behind us but we were quite afraid of this breaking issue happening leading to a car accident or worse. We took the car to the dealership again where they told us there “needed to be an update to the software” but it wouldn’t be out until sometime “hopefully” next year but couldn’t guarantee a date and informed us we just needed to bring the car in if it happened again. We questioned the safety and asked for a loaner vehicle due to our fear but were assured the car is safe however I’ve lost count of the number of times the lights have come back on and the car breaks unexpectedly. We’ve returned to the dealership each time and told the vehicle is ok but the warning lights and safety alerts are on again as of today however it no longer beeps.

I have had multiple issues with this vehicle. After having it for a few months while on a road trip the car begin high pitched beeping and several warning lights displayed with messages stating Audi pre sense malfunction: contact customer service/ AES/AEB unavailable. Safety System: malfunction: See Owners Manual. Drive System malfunction. Three warning lamps illuminated as well. I wasn’t sure what was happening and pulled over at the next exit, called my husband. After turning off the vehicle the lights remained illuminated and the warning lamps didn’t change, it also continued to beep but I had not choice but to continue on as we were far from home but it left me rattled and nervous of the safety of the vehicle. After the dealership advised us there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and they weren’t sure why the lights and malfunctions displayed. They turned off the lights and the car was fine for another few weeks until it suddenly slammed on the breaks while driving down the road for no reason at all, all the lights and malfunctions begin again as well as the beeping. Luckily there wasn’t a car behind us but we were quite afraid of this breaking issue happening leading to a car accident or worse. We took the car to the dealership again where they told us there “needed to be an update to the software” but it wouldn’t be out until sometime “hopefully” next year but couldn’t guarantee a date and informed us we just needed to bring the car in if it happened again. We questioned the safety and asked for a loaner vehicle due to our fear but were assured the car is safe however I’ve lost count of the number of times the lights have come back on and the car breaks unexpectedly. We’ve returned to the dealership each time and told the vehicle is ok but the warning lights and safety alerts are on again as of today however it no longer beeps.

I have had multiple issues with this vehicle. After having it for a few months while on a road trip the car begin high pitched beeping and several warning lights displayed with messages stating Audi pre sense malfunction: contact customer service/ AES/AEB unavailable. Safety System: malfunction: See Owners Manual. Drive System malfunction. Three warning lamps illuminated as well. I wasn’t sure what was happening and pulled over at the next exit, called my husband. After turning off the vehicle the lights remained illuminated and the warning lamps didn’t change, it also continued to beep but I had not choice but to continue on as we were far from home but it left me rattled and nervous of the safety of the vehicle. After the dealership advised us there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and they weren’t sure why the lights and malfunctions displayed. They turned off the lights and the car was fine for another few weeks until it suddenly slammed on the breaks while driving down the road for no reason at all, all the lights and malfunctions begin again as well as the beeping. Luckily there wasn’t a car behind us but we were quite afraid of this breaking issue happening leading to a car accident or worse. We took the car to the dealership again where they told us there “needed to be an update to the software” but it wouldn’t be out until sometime “hopefully” next year but couldn’t guarantee a date and informed us we just needed to bring the car in if it happened again. We questioned the safety and asked for a loaner vehicle due to our fear but were assured the car is safe however I’ve lost count of the number of times the lights have come back on and the car breaks unexpectedly. We’ve returned to the dealership each time and told the vehicle is ok but the warning lights and safety alerts are on again as of today however it no longer beeps.

The front tires were worn to interior cording. It was an uneven tire wear that resulted in an alignment. After getting the alignment checked, there was no issue with that and it was within correct specifications. The only reason this was found out was due to getting an oil change. My safety and others were put into major risk of the tires almost exploding. The car was listed as unsafe to drive according to professional opinion in documentation. There were no warnings about the tire. Only a letter in the mail from continental months later after the tires were replaced was it made aware the tires were defected.