2019 Audi A5 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 12 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2019 Audi A5 has 12 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is cruise control at 3 complaints, typically surfacing around 3,700 miles (~$600 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 A5 | 7 | 1 |
| 2017 A5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 A5 | 6 | 4 |
| 2019 A5 (this page) | 12 | 0 |
| 2020 A5 | 60 | 0 |
| 2021 A5 | 7 | 1 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2019 Audi A5? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- cruise control — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 3,700 mi · ~$600 to fix
- steering — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 17,000 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 17,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is steering (~$700) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2019 Audi A5
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was driving when the rear of my car began vibrating, then fishtailing and I lost control and hit a curb resulting in mostly forward damage. In reviewing the Preliminary Estimate from the auto-shop and insurance adjuster, there was quite a bit of damage to the Rear Suspension…
This is another occurrence therefore a continuation of complaint number 11258717. On a second occasion while driving in the express lanes of an expressway, the pre-sense displayed a crossroad indication on the instrument display and applied the brakes while I was going…
I was stopped in a turn lane to make a left turn across 3 lanes of opposing traffic on a major us highway. . I started the turn and the pre-sense system stopped the car as it was entering the opposing lane of traffic almost causing a disaster as the oncoming traffic was moving…
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A5. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V874000 (Seats, Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 Audi A5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Audi A5 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2019 Audi A5?
On the NHTSA data, the 2019 Audi A5 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 Audi A5?
Inspect the cruise control first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 3,700 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 Audi A5 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 12 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is cruise control. Typical failure occurs around 3,700 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 Audi A5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 3,700 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 3,700 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi A5 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Audi A5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 12 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.