Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Audi A5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and started, the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle started independently without driver input. Additionally, the air condition was blowing warm air instead of cold air. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 16,581.
Audi's wireless charging pad in 2021-2024 A4/A5/Q5 models: Overheats the phone Triggers a thermal radio throttle iPhone temporarily disables Bluetooth hardware Audi MMI sees that and throws: "Bluetooth function is currently unavailable." Wireless CarPlay collapses because it needs Bluetooth + WiFi Direct Audio goes dead along with it This EXACT sequence is documented across A4/A5/Q3/Q5 forums and Audi service bulletins. The pad is the culprit - not your phone, not the car. When bluetooth and apple car play shut down, so do directions which causes driver to scramble to find phone and follow phone screen which distracts drivers and causes accidents. It happens every time you use the tray after 5-20 minutes. Very scary for older drivers. Would like NHTSA to pressure Audi into a recall and fix the pad at Audi's expense. …
The MMI screen in my 2020 Audi A5 Sportback randomly reboots while driving, with no consistent pattern. These reboots occur regardless of whether a phone is connected-via USB-C, Bluetooth, or not connected at all. The issue is highly distracting and often occurs during critical moments, such as while reversing (disabling the rear-view camera), when cross-traffic alerts are active, or while moving forward (disabling the parking sensors). What's particularly concerning is that the issue has become more frequent over time. Initially, it might happen once during a 30-minute commute. Now, it can occur 3-4 times in quick succession, making the system increasingly unreliable and disruptive. …
The car has a very loud sequence of high pitched beeps accompanying a "SOS EMERGENCY CALL FUNCTION MALFUNCTION" warning light that comes on and stays on. It is a major driving distraction when the warning beeps suddenly come on (up to six sustained times in a row). The diagnosis of this was that the antennae needs replacing due to water ingress with an estimate from dealership of $2500. Additionally, the MMI randomly powers off and then reboots every couple of minutes. This again causes major safely issues as navigation is suddenly gone when the screen turns black, and then loud music starts playing on the radio (which was not playing previously) when it automatically reboots. I have to try and turn off blaring music and readjust navigation in the midst of driving. There are also a number of screens I have to navigate answering after the reboot which again causes driving distraction. …
I turned on my car and several malfunctions came on the dash,and would not start and went in limp mode. A local mechanic stated it's the electrical component of the coolant pump causing malfunction. He also stated that could lead the car catching fire if overheats since the 5V is dipping below due to the faulty coolant /water pump. Ultimately forcing the car in limp mode for safety precautions. The problem is I purchase my car at 87,000 miles from the Audi dealership, and the extended warranty that covers the car is 80,000 miles
I am writing to formally bring to your attention a potential violation of federal vehicle safety reporting requirements by Audi regarding an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)/Comfort Control Module failure in my 2018 Audi A5. As the original owner of this vehicle, I experienced a critical ECU failure approximately 2yrs after purchase (Sept 2017), which I believe qualifies as a major safety defect under 49 CFR 573.6-577.7. According to federal regulations, manufacturers are required to report such safety defects to the NHTSA within five (5) days of discovery. Furthermore, a root cause analysis should have been conducted & its findings reported w/in sixty (60) days. …
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.
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. …
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A5 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (41), 2013 (9), 2014 (6) and 2024 (5) model years. Electrical complaints make up 68% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Audi A5 electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 17V-622 (wiring, Oct 5, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi A5 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 64% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the interior lamps/bulbs (1 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (1).
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.