NHTSA vehicle safety data
2016 Audi A5 Recalls & Complaints
The 2016 Audi A5 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Audi A5. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2016 Audi A5 owner complaints
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi A5, describing incidents dated June 1, 2018 to January 15, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Engine 3 complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Steering 1 complaint
- Structure 1 complaint
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11711758 · Filed
Immediately after taking it home from a dealership, I noticed the MMI system wasn’t turning on. I figured it would fix itself, but it’s been 4 days and nothing has happened. The screen stays black when starting the car. When I reset the MMI by holding the volume knob for 10 seconds, it briefly turns…
ODI #11679117 · Filed
On August 3, 2025, my wife and I came home from dinner and I couldn’t get out of the driver’s side door. I took it to Naples Audi where I bought the car and delt with its Assistant Service Manager and Service Advisor. Audi estimated the repair to be over $1,300. I called Audi USA Regional Customer…
ODI #11612873 · Filed
Car went into limp mode and check engine light came on.
Coolant Pump may Overheat or Short-Circuit
NHTSA #18V229000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System · NHTSA notice
Reported April 11, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 342,867 vehicles
Repair completion: 87.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 19N3/19N4 · Owners notified September 14, 2018 · Vehicles built March 8, 2012 – November 19, 2016 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Safety consequence
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Auxiliary Heater Electrical Connector may Melt
NHTSA #17V622000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice
Reported October 5, 2017 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 216,913 vehicles
Repair completion: 86.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 80C5/80C6 · Owners notified November 27, 2017 · Vehicles built March 8, 2012 – July 31, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Coolant Pump May Overheat and cause Fire
NHTSA #17V002000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System · NHTSA notice
Reported January 3, 2017 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 342,867 vehicles
Repair completion: 91.68% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 19M1 · Owners notified March 3, 2017 · Vehicles built March 8, 2012 – December 16, 2016 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Safety consequence
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Audi A5 model years
Check your 2016 Audi A5 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A5 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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