2014 Audi A5 Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the A5 at the same age

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2014 Audi A5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.8× as many as a typical A5 model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (10 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

28complaints
3recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 Audi A5 problems

  • Engine & cooling~87,000 miles
    1036%
  • Steering~60,000 miles
    932%
  • Electrical system~44,000 miles
    621%
  • Other / not specified
    414%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~49,000 miles
    27%
  • A/C & heater~66,000 miles
    27%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    27%
  • Seats~66,000 miles
    14%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    14%
  • Body & structure~152,000 miles
    14%

Share of the 28 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Audi A5 complaints by model year

’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’2551134252235288738126087888
Owner complaints per model year, Audi A5. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best A5 years: 2017, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2020, 2010, 2013, 2018, 2014. Compare all years →

2014 Audi A5 recalls (3)

Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system

NHTSA recall 18V-229 · Apr 11, 2018 · 342,867 vehicles

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.

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.

Electrical system › Wiring

NHTSA recall 17V-622 · Oct 5, 2017 · 216,913 vehicles

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.

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.

Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system

NHTSA recall 17V-002 · Jan 3, 2017 · 342,867 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2014 Audi A5 owners say

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2014 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving 30-70 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving for an hour or stopped at a light. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact waited for 10 minutes to restart, but the vehicle shut off again. The ECP warning light was illuminated. After the vehicle cooled off and the battery was disconnected, the vehicle drove as designed. The contact replaced the cam shaft sensor, and fuel pump however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to the local dealer for a diagnostic test. …

60,000 miles · May 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder. The check engine and EPS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with piston #3. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who confirmed the failure with piston #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 65,000.

65,000 miles · Jul 2023

Steering

The contact owns a 2014 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder. The check engine and EPS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with piston #3. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who confirmed the failure with piston #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 65,000.

65,000 miles · Jul 2023

1) power steering module failed resulting in steering failing on highway. Car is not available for inspection due to being totaled. Issue was a known service bulletin by Audi however new owners had no way to know it was a life threatening issue. 2) The car lost control when power module failed, steering wheel locked up. 3) Yes 4) insurance and the dealership. The dealership refused to cover it because it was 10years past extended warranty even thought it had less than 125,000 miles. Apparently RAIN affects these units. 5) No.

Feb 2025

Electrical system

1) power steering module failed resulting in steering failing on highway. Car is not available for inspection due to being totaled. Issue was a known service bulletin by Audi however new owners had no way to know it was a life threatening issue. 2) The car lost control when power module failed, steering wheel locked up. 3) Yes 4) insurance and the dealership. The dealership refused to cover it because it was 10years past extended warranty even thought it had less than 125,000 miles. Apparently RAIN affects these units. 5) No.

Feb 2025

While driving the car I press the gas pedal and it loses power or won't accelerate at all, then all of a sudden something happens and it lunges forward fast it is scary I have almost crashed 2 times. This issues is intermittent, thus the driver has no control of when the car is going to drive properly when I doesn't it is scary. I'm have been relegated to 45 miles an hour on the freeway I cannot control any part of the car to ensure I can make a lane change if I need to to overt an accident. The reason I'm filing this is because Audi has known about this since at least 2010, there are TSB'S FOR EVERY YEAR REGARDING THIS PROBLEM EITHER EXACT OR a slight change of this problem because every car is different. Meaning how it's driven to where it is located and weather issues. …

Nov 2024

2014 Audi A5 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turboCVTFWD23 / 31 / 26
2.0L 4-cyl turbo6-speed manualAWD22 / 32 / 26
2.0L 4-cyl turbo8-speed automaticAWD20 / 28 / 23

EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Audi A5 a good car?

Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 A5 rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the A5 at the same age. It is one of the A5 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Audi A5?

The engine & cooling — 10 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (9) and electrical system (6).

How many recalls does the 2014 Audi A5 have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2014 Audi A5, the most recent from April 11, 2018 (cooling system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Audi A5?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2010, 2013, 2018 and 2014. See the full Audi A5 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2014 Audi A5 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 43% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.