This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Audi A5 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Audi A5 have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 A5 | 9 |
| 2012 A5 | 6 |
| 2013 A5 | 13 |
| 2014 A5 (this page) | 10 |
| 2018 A5 | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 10 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Audi A5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 34% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Among the 6 model years of Audi A5 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2014 Audi A5 report five distinct engine problems. The most severe is piston failure, with piston 3 imploding at 65,000 miles, causing complete engine seizure and requiring full engine replacement at $10,000–$17,000. Another critical issue is hydraulic timing chain tensioner failure around 87,000 miles, which Audi service centers warn could cause catastrophic engine failure; repair costs run several thousand dollars.
Engine stall conditions occur unpredictably during driving or at traffic lights, typically after an hour of operation, with restart only possible after 30+ minutes of cooling. One owner replaced both camshaft sensor and fuel pump without stopping the problem.
Excessive oil consumption triggered warning lights at 92,398 miles, with the dealer confirming multiple vehicles share this issue but offering no permanent fix.
Complicating matters, Audi issued recall 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) to address after-run coolant pump issues, but some dealers lack parts to complete it, leaving owners in limbo. Owners note multiple class action settlements exist for 2012–2017 2.0T engines covering identical piston and timing chain problems, yet some 2014 owners report Audi denies recall eligibility.
Same Audi A5 engine reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Hydraulic Timing Chain Tensioner Failure
Hydraulic timing chain tensioner fails, causing engine timing issues and loss of proper gear shift authority in automatic transmission. Consumers report catastrophic engine failure risk and expensive repairs.
When: 87,000 miles; 56,000 miles reported in another complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Transmission refuses to automatically shift beyond 6th gear; Manual shifting to 7th/8th gears possible but engine lugs; Engine timing deterioration
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (unspecified code)
Repairs/costs cited: Audi service center diagnosed hydraulic timing chain tensioner failure. Multiple complaints reference repair costs of several thousand dollars to $10k-$17k for complete engine replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action settlement mentioned for 2013 model with same problem; 2014 eligibility unclear per owner inquiry.
Engine Stall and Hard-Start Condition
Engine shuts off unexpectedly while driving, particularly in stop-and-go traffic or high heat conditions, and will not restart until cooled for extended periods. Condition repeats intermittently.
When: 60,000 miles; incidents at 5+ years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown while driving at 30-70 MPH; Failure to restart immediately after shutdown; Restart successful only after 10 minutes to 30+ minutes of cooling; ECP/check engine warning light illumination; Occurs in hot weather (90°F+) and stop-and-go traffic
Codes mentioned: ECP warning light, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced camshaft sensor and fuel pump without resolving the issue. Condition persists post-repair. No successful repair reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed no recalls associated with VIN; referred owner to dealer for diagnostic. Related to NHTSA Campaign 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and recall 19N4 for electric after-run coolant pump per owner speculation.
Piston Failure and Complete Engine Seizure
Piston 3 implodes or fails catastrophically, destroying the long block and causing complete engine failure. Occurs at relatively low mileage on properly maintained vehicles.
When: 65,000 miles; 56,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights appear (check engine, EPS); Complete loss of engine power while driving; No advanced warning before failure; Vehicle requires full engine replacement
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, EPS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Piston 3 failure confirmed by both independent mechanic and Audi dealer. Complete engine replacement required. Repair cost reported as $10k-$17k.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but unable to assist with warranty claim. Multiple class action suits filed against Audi for 2012-2017 2.0T engines with identical piston failure issues; owners report Audi denies recall eligibility for some affected vehicles.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Oil level drops significantly during normal driving, triggering oil pressure warning light. Dealer confirms this is a known issue affecting multiple vehicles.
When: 92,398 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure warning light illumination; Low oil level requiring top-off
Codes mentioned: Oil pressure light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer topped off oil and performed oil consumption test; no repair completed per complaint filing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated many vehicles have experienced oil issues; manufacturer notified.
Recall Parts Unavailability and Repair Delays
NHTSA Campaign 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) recall cannot be completed due to parts shortage at dealer, causing indefinite repair delays.
When: Ongoing as of complaint filing dates
Symptoms owners cite: Recall issued but not completable
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer (Jack Daniels Audi, Upper Saddle River, NJ) confirmed parts unavailable for recall repair work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V229000 issued; manufacturer notified of parts distribution disconnect and excessive recall repair timelines.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Audi claims to have fixed their 2.0t engine piston defect which can cause safety issues and accidents caused by the car seizing or loosing power at any time due to their faulty pistons which class action act filed on 2014 indicates that 2012-2017 2.0t engine are susceptible to the same default. The company tried to hide this and failed to fix the issues on vehicles pass 2011. Please I have kids…
Piston 3 imploded causing damage to the long block. Complete engine failure at 65K miles conformed by Audi dealership. You may view the car if you wish. The warning lights appeared the same day the car started malfunctioning. No advanced warning. There are several class action suits in the U.S. with the same issue of complete engine failure on low miles for several Audi models from 2012 - 2017.…
The contact owns a 2014 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder. The check engine and EPS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with piston #3. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who confirmed the…
I currently have 56k miles on my car. It is less than 5 years old. The dealer told me I need my timing chain replaced. There was a class action settlement with the same problem in the 2013 model. Would my car also qualify?
2014 Audi a5. Consumer writes in regards to after run coolant pump safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the recall repair exceeded a reasonable amount of time. *js
The engine stopped running on two separate occasions while driving on the highway in extended stop and go traffic on very hot days (in the 90's). After cooling down for an extended time (1/2 hour or more), the car started again and acted normal. It happened last labor day (2018 and yesterday (6/28/19). Once the engine stopped I could not restart the car until it cooled down. I was stuck on…
The contact owns a 2014 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving 30-70 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving for an hour or stopped at a light. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact waited for 10 minutes to restart, but the vehicle shut off again. The ECP warning light was illuminated. After the vehicle cooled off and the battery was…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 Audi A5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 Audi A5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 71,680 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Audi/A5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.