Audi · Known Issues
2020 Audi S5 Problems: 6 Known Issues
2020 model year · 497+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2020 model year · 497+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
According to Au7o's analysis of 497+ owner reports, the 2020 Audi S5 has 6 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1) ($0-$0 repair) and Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3) ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Thermostat and Water Pump Assembly Failure with 211 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $300 to $1,200. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 GTI, Golf R, Audi A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, S5, S6 Sportback E-Tron, 2026 Q4 Sportback E-Tron, and Q4 E-Tron vehicles. The torsion bar in one or both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 497+ owner reports, the 2020 Audi S5 has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1), Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3), Thermostat and Water Pump Assembly Failure. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2020 Audi S5 has 6 known issues documented across 497+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1) and Seat Heater Cable Fault Disabling the Passenger Airbag (PODS) - Recall 21V874 (Audi 74E3). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Audi S5 issues range from $0 to $1,200, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Rear Axle Trailing Arm Eccentric Bolt Lock Nut Fracture - Recall 21V295 (Audi 42L1), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Lock nuts from specific production batches used on the eccentric alignment bolt at the rear trailing arm are prone to stress corrosion cracking. If the nut fractures, the eccentric bolt can rotate and the rear wheel alignment changes on its own, producing sudden instability and a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The cable connecting the passenger seat heater mat to the Passenger Occupant Detection System can develop a contact fault. The control software misreads the fault as a PODS malfunction and switches the passenger frontal airbag off, so an occupied front passenger seat is left unpr… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
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."
TIRES
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.
+ 5 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The S5 3.0T thermostat and water pump assembly uses a plastic housing that degrades over time. Leaks develop at the housing seams and O-ring seals, often around 60,000-80,000 miles. Repairs typically run $400-$1,000. Severity: medium.
The water-to-air intercooler system on the S5 3.0T uses an electric coolant pump that can fail, causing elevated charge air temperatures and reduced power. Heat soak becomes severe in warm climates. Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: medium.
The S5 suffers from carbon deposit accumulation on intake valves common to all Audi direct-injected engines. The performance-oriented tuning makes power loss from carbon more noticeable than in base models. Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.
On the B9 3.0 TFSI the crankcase pressure regulator (PCV) is integrated into the valve cover. The rubber diaphragm tears, opening a large unmetered vacuum leak into the intake. The signature is a loud whistle under the hood at idle that stops instantly when the oil filler cap is… Repairs typically run $450-$1,200. Severity: medium.