2020 Audi S5: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system; the 2019 and 2021 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“MMI - Multi Media Interface constantly reboots about every 90 seconds. This is a safety issue since if I am backing up and the MMI reboots I lose the backup camera and when the MMI reboots I also lose collision/parking/proximity sensors. This issue started happening with my Audi on 7/26/25 and can be reproduced every time the ignition is on or car is running. From doing a quick search on the internet this is a very common problem that just started happening within the last few months with a number of 2020 model Audi's.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jul 2025
“Main computer, multi media interface, MMI constantly shuts off and disconnects from system. This renders all backup cameras, traffic sensors and impact avoidance sensors inoperative. It also stops speedometer”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Jul 2025
“Sudden reboot of the vehicle's infotainment system, which then repeats every 60-90 seconds consistently. The reboot has happened while reversing the vehicle, which results in losing view of the backup camera and parking sensors / rear cross traffic detection. This issue was originally sparse, but after 7/14 manifests 100% of the time when using the vehicle. This represents a safety issue due to the loss of rear backup camera for 30+ seconds while the infotainment reboots. No warning lights appear, no inspections have been performed by the dealer or any others.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jul 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Audi MMI reboots constantly while the car is one. There is about 30 seconds between each reboot. This causes certain safety features like the backup camera to stop working when in use. I am not sure what the cause is but this seems to be a more common issue with the 2020 Audi's.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2025
“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.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jul 2025
“MMI or the center console screen is shutting down and rebooting during random intervals during driving and stopped. Causing the sensors to say there's an error and not function. GPS, and volume control also go out.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Jul 2025
“For the past 6 months, I have experiencing Audi MMI reboots on every single drive. It is rather dangerous as if I am navigating using car navigation and suddenly lost connection to the route. I had few instances when I was backing up to a driveway or garage, the backup camera shuts down during backing as MMI needs reboot. There are many others online having the same issue. This is a safety issue which Audi needs to address at their own expense.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2025
“The mmi system reboots randomly throughout nearly every drive. This has happened when backing up causing a loss of access to backup cameras and sensors making me stop in the middle of the road.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2025
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2025
“The MMI system will turn off, and reset, while driving. this occurs constantly, starting about two months ago. This causes the screen to go blank, and today I almost ran over a pedestrian as the system stopped while backing up. Luckily, I stopped, but was in cross traffic, and was not an ideal situation. This occurs, and I've tried using as a guest, instead of the user, and the same result occurs with the screen going blank while driving and the MMI system reboots.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2025
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
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 well.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
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 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
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 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2020 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Audi S5 reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2020 Audi S5. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2020 Audi S5 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.