This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Audi S5 electrical problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when the display of the Audi virtual cockpit is distorted due to a broken screen.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when there are pixel faults on the virtual cockpit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 S5 is experiencing a widespread MMI infotainment system failure where the screen reboots repeatedly—ranging from several times daily to every 30 seconds on newer reports—and doesn't respond to factory resets or dealer service. During each reboot, the backup camera, parking sensors, collision warnings, and navigation all go dark, leaving drivers without critical visibility tools during reversing or parking. One owner nearly hit a pedestrian when the system shut down while backing up; another lost highway navigation in traffic. The frequency escalated dramatically for some owners over weeks of ownership.
Owners report the problem started mid-2024 through early 2025, correlating across vehicles with similar software versions and production dates. The issue has generated numerous online forum discussions and appears coordinated with specific Audi TSBs (2067021, 2076404, 2069112) addressing infotainment software. Despite these TSBs, dealers tell owners OBD scans show no fault codes and claim nothing can be done. One owner received a software patch from the dealer that failed, with the dealer stating the fix is corrupted and blaming Audi corporate. Audi's service campaign 90T2 addresses the Emergency Call Module but doesn't fix the MMI reboots. Collateral damage includes Bluetooth dropouts, CarPlay shutdowns, TPMS warnings from pressure resets, and SOS system lockouts. One vehicle experienced speedometer failure and unexplained highway braking. Owners requiring hard resets multiple times sometimes must cycle the ignition to restore parking aid.
Failure modes owners describe
MMI system spontaneous reboots
The central infotainment system (MMI) reboots repeatedly while driving, from once or twice daily to every 30 seconds to every 5-10 minutes depending on the vehicle. Screen goes black during reboot and requires user input to restore. Owners report the issue started mid-2024 or early 2025, correlating with similar software versions and production dates across affected vehicles. Factory resets at dealerships do not resolve the issue. OBD scans return no fault codes despite the problem occurring.
When: Mid-2024 onwards; some reports starting Jan/Feb 2025 and July 2025; escalating frequency over time
Symptoms owners cite: Screen goes black/turns off during reboot; Reboots occur while driving, from once daily to every 30 seconds; Reboot frequency escalating over time; User input required to restore functionality after each reboot; Issue reproduces consistently when ignition is on or car is running
Repairs/costs cited: Factory resets attempted by dealers do not resolve the issue. OBD scans return no fault codes. One owner reported dealer provided a software patch that failed; dealer claims update/fix is corrupt and blames Audi corporate. Audi service campaign 90T2 exists for Emergency Call Module reflash but does not address MMI reboots.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi TSBs filed with NHTSA (TSB 2067021, TSB 2076404, TSB 2069112) point to available software updates for infotainment-related issues. Audi service campaign 90T2 for Emergency Call Module reflash. Dealers continue to claim nothing can be done since OBD scans return no codes. Audi reported as unresponsive to complaints.
Loss of backup camera and rear obstacle detection during MMI reboots
When the MMI reboots, the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, parking sensors, collision warning, and rear cross traffic warning systems become completely unavailable until the reboot completes and systems reload. This creates immediate safety hazard during reversing or parking maneuvers. One owner reports nearly hitting a pedestrian when the system reset while backing up.
When: Occurs during every MMI reboot event
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera display goes dark; Rear obstacle detection unavailable; Parking sensors inoperative; Parking Collision Warning disabled; Rear Cross Traffic Warning disabled; Rearview camera and parking sensor display go blank
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; problem persists across factory resets and dealer service attempts.
Loss of navigation and display during MMI reboots
When the MMI reboots, the navigation screen and display disable completely. Restoring navigation requires multiple user inputs while driving, creating highway safety hazards.
When: Occurs during every MMI reboot event
Symptoms owners cite: Navigation screen goes blank; Navigation becomes unavailable; Multiple user inputs required to restore navigation while driving
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair available.
Loss of TPMS and SOS functions due to MMI reboots
MMI reboots cause tire pressure monitoring sensor values to reset, triggering false TPMS malfunction warnings. Emergency SOS call feature is blocked, resulting in SOS system malfunction warning. Both are safety-critical functions.
When: Occurs as collateral impact during MMI reboot events
Symptoms owners cite: Stored tire pressure values reset; TPMS malfunction warning illuminated; SOS call feature blocked; SOS system malfunction warning displayed
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; factory resets do not resolve.
Bluetooth and phone connectivity dropout
During or after MMI reboots, Bluetooth connection drops and phone connectivity fails. CarPlay turns off mid-drive and reboots. One owner reports phone calls drop mid-conversation.
When: Occurs during and after MMI reboot events
Symptoms owners cite: Bluetooth won't work after reboot; CarPlay turns off mid-drive; Phone connection drops; Phone calls drop mid-conversation
Repairs/costs cited: Hard reset of MMI required to restore connectivity; sometimes requires two hard resets and ignition cycle.
Parking assist and related safety sensor malfunction
MMI reboots cause parking assist systems to malfunction, including park aid errors, parking sensors, and proximity warnings. In some cases, the system appears to persist in error state requiring multiple resets and ignition cycles to restore.
When: Occurs during and persists after MMI reboot events
Symptoms owners cite: Park aid errors; Parking assist malfunction; Proximity sensors inoperative; Requires hard reset and ignition cycle to restore functionality
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple hard resets and ignition cycles required to restore parking aid functionality.
Emergency Call Module Control Unit failure
Emergency Call Module Control Unit has failed (reported as second failure in one vehicle). Unit cannot be reflashed due to intermittent errors. If vehicle is involved in a crash, the system will not automatically call for assistance. Subject to Audi service campaign 90T2 for reflash, but unit cannot be serviced due to errors.
When: Two failures reported in same vehicle; no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency call system inoperative; Unable to be reflashed due to intermittent errors; SOS system malfunction warning displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Unit failed twice and cannot be flashed. Audi dealership unable to diagnose for three months minimum, with additional wait time for parts after diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi service campaign 90T2 to reflash emergency call module control unit; however, unit in this vehicle cannot be flashed due to intermittent errors.
Speedometer inoperative during system malfunctions
In at least one report, the MMI failure also rendered the speedometer inoperative, creating additional safety hazard.
When: Reported once; timing unclear
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer stops working; Occurs when MMI system shuts off
Unintended braking at highway speeds during system malfunctions
In one report, the computer system malfunction caused the car to apply brakes unexpectedly at highway speeds, creating crash hazard.
When: Reported once; timing unclear
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended braking at highway speeds; Occurs during computer system malfunction
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
MMI - Multi Media Interface constantly reboots about every 90 seconds. This is a safety issue since if I am backing up and the MMI reboots I lose the backup camera and when the MMI reboots I also lose collision/parking/proximity sensors. This issue started happening with my Audi on 7/26/25 and can be reproduced every time the ignition is on or car is running. From doing a quick search on the…
The radio (mmi system) is rebooting while driving every 5-10 min. Dealership can't fix and is affecting safety sytems like front and rear cameras/sensors.
Audi MMI reboots constantly while the car is one. There is about 30 seconds between each reboot. This causes certain safety features like the backup camera to stop working when in use. I am not sure what the cause is but this seems to be a more common issue with the 2020 Audi's.
MMI system is failing, parking assist is malfunctioning, back up camera doesn’t activate, CarPlay turns off mid drive and reboots, navigation not working, car wants to brake at highway speeds as computer system malfunctions, Bluetooth phone connection drops mid call, overall the computer infotainment system has failed.
"The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation, become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. The reboots have affected other sensors/systems in the car like resetting my stored tire pressure values resulting in a TPMS malfunction…
Main computer, multi media interface, MMI constantly shuts off and disconnects from system. This renders all backup cameras, traffic sensors and impact avoidance sensors inoperative. It also stops speedometer
The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation, become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. The last few days this issue has gone from happening once or maybe twice a day to almost every single minute I am driving the vehicle.…
I own a 2020 Audi S5. The central infotainment screen (MMI) has been randomly restarting while driving. At first, it only happened occasionally, but the issue has gotten significantly worse. It now restarts every 5 to 10 minutes during normal driving. When the screen reboots, I temporarily lose access to important vehicle functions, including the backup camera, navigation, and audio controls.…
The mmi system reboots randomly throughout nearly every drive. This has happened when backing up causing a loss of access to backup cameras and sensors making me stop in the middle of the road.
The MMI restarts constantly every day sometimes multiple times within minutes of each other. There is no correlation with other vehicle feature or functions that cause these restarts to happen and they are not in any specific pattern . When the MMI system reboots, the rearview camera and parking sensor display go dark, making parking and reversing unsafe, which directly impacts the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 Audi S5?
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 electrical problem on the 2020 Audi S5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2020/Audi/S5.
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.