Every 2021 Audi A5 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 22V742000
May 10, 2022Back Over Prevention:Display Function
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Full recall details for 22V742000 →Tires · NHTSA 22V034000
Jan 26, 2022Tires
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V034000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 21V606000
May 8, 2021Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Full recall details for 21V606000 →Suspension · NHTSA 21V295000
Apr 26, 2021Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V295000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 20V737000
Nov 25, 2020Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V737000 →
2021 Audi A5 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi A5. Audi has issued at least 1,072 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System2
- Unknown Or Other2
- Air Bags1
- Engine1
- Forward Collision Avoidance1
- Power Train1
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (828)
- Equipment (483)
- Unknown Or Other (259)
- Structure (255)
- Power Train (145)
- Steering (111)
Read Audi A5 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi A5. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“Car began bucking at low speeds. I parked car and when I turned on ignition next day, dashboard warning indicated "Transmission malfunction" and warned me not to drive car. I had it towed to dealer.”
2021 AUDI A5Sep 15, 2026 · MA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11764446
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? TRANSMISSION - GEAR SHIFT How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?”
2021 AUDI A5Jan 19, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11711887
“The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on in my Audi no matter if there is or is not a passenger in the seat.”
2021 AUDI A5Dec 28, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11707412
“I was driving down the interstate when my Warning Transmission Failure light came on. Then another message said you can drive with limited use if vehicle. Seconds later the Warning Transmission Failure light came on again and said drive to your nearest repair shop.”
2021 AUDI A5Nov 19, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11700320
“The contact owns a 2021 Audi A5. The contact stated while the driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel was blinking on and off several times and then went dark. A local dealer was contacted.”
2021 AUDI A5Jun 17, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11667401
Check your A5 by VIN
Not every 2021 Audi A5 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Audi dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →