AUDI A5 · model year

2009 AUDI A5

17 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009AUDIA5 carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 A5 is structure:body with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (2) and power train (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2009 A5. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

17
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
STEERING1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
ENGINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
AIR BAGS1

Recalls (1)

16V37600027/05/2016

AIR BAGS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Recent Complaints

20190228AIR BAGS

MY AIR BAG LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT ICON CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE STARTING AND REMAIN ON. I HAVE READ THE EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 6901 16V376. WHY IS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED?? I HAVE RESTARTED MY TIMES TO NO AVAIL.

Mileage: 41,600

20190228SERVICE BRAKES

MY AIR BAG LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT ICON CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE STARTING AND REMAIN ON. I HAVE READ THE EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 6901 16V376. WHY IS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED?? I HAVE RESTARTED MY TIMES TO NO AVAIL.

Mileage: 41,600

20190228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY AIR BAG LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT ICON CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE STARTING AND REMAIN ON. I HAVE READ THE EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 6901 16V376. WHY IS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED?? I HAVE RESTARTED MY TIMES TO NO AVAIL.

Mileage: 41,600

20170328STRUCTURE:BODY

I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2015 WITH 35K MILES. SINCE THEN, ITS BEEN OVER ELEVEN TIMES REGARDING WATER LEAKING ISSUES, PARTICULAR INVOLVING THE SUNROOF DRAINS ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT REAR DRAIN OVER THE PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL WINDOW NEAR THE AIRBAG AREA (C-PILLAR). THE HEADLINER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE (IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OTHER TIMES, BUT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY CLEANED THE STAINS). THE SUNSHADE HAD TO BE REPLACED/REPAIR TWICE BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED DURING MANIPULATION OF THE HEADLINER, AND THE SUNROOF HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED, AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY ADJUSTED DUE TO SQUEAKING. THIS SUNROOF CONTINUES TO HAVE DRAINAGE ISSUES AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, WHICH RESULTS IN WATER LEAKAGE ONTO AND STAINING THE HEADLINER. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE DRAINS WERE BLOCKED AND NEEDED CLEANING, BUT THE CAR IS MOSTLY GARAGED KEPT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO A LOT OF TREE LITTER. I ASKED IF THERE IS A PERMANENT FIX, AND I'VE CONTACTED AUDI USA REGARDING THIS ISSUE ASKIN

Mileage: 72,280

20160429STRUCTURE:BODY

RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) DOOR LATCH/LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. BECAUSE THE LOCK FAILED, THE ALARM SYSTEM DOES NOT SEE THE DOOR AS CLOSED AND WILL NOT ARM THE SYSTEM. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DOOR CANNOT BE LOCKED UNLESS YOU ACTIVATE USING THE CHILD PROOF OVERIDE NEAR THE LATCH MECHANISM. YOU MUST REACH IN THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR USING THE HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON ANY CAR WITH LESS THAN 55K MILES ON IT. THE AUDI FORUMS HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE B8 MODEL CAR (A4/A5/S4/S5/RS5). ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE OVER $650 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS MAY BE A DIY IF YOU ARE VERY SKILLED (READ: A MECHANIC) AND IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SPECIALTY TOOLS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PART ALONE COSTS $200 FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT. USED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE BUT IF THE FAILURE RATE IS CLOSE TO THE 50-55K MILE MARK, NOT MANY OF THESE ARE AVAILABLE AND THOSE THAT ARE AVAILABLE ARE QUESTIONABLE WITH REGARDS TO RELIABILITY. I HAVE ASKED

Mileage: 54,000

20150812FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AUDI A5 2009 IS NOT A RELIABLE CAR I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AUDI PRODUCT IN MY LIFETIME. I CANT BELIEVE HOW I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE WITH THE MISFIRE ISSUE AND I FIND IN MY RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES FOR VARIOUS MODELS UNBELIEVABLE. HAD I SEARCH THIS PRODUCT, WOULD HAVE BEEN MY ONLY WISH. THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN START UP TODAY. HAD THIS CAR FOR ONLY 8 MONTHS. AT 45,000...

Mileage: 60,000

20150112STRUCTURE:BODY

KEYLESS DOOR SENSORS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK VEHICLE WHEN TOUCHED. BROUGHT PROBLEM TO ATTENTION OF DEALERSHIP, WHICH STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND THEREBY REFUSED TO FIX ISSUE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND THE COST HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THESE KEYLESS DOOR SENSOR FAILURES. *TR

20150112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KEYLESS DOOR SENSORS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK VEHICLE WHEN TOUCHED. BROUGHT PROBLEM TO ATTENTION OF DEALERSHIP, WHICH STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND THEREBY REFUSED TO FIX ISSUE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND THE COST HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THESE KEYLESS DOOR SENSOR FAILURES. *TR

20141015POWER TRAIN

AFTER LETTING MY CAR SIT FOR 8+ HOURS, EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND PUT IT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT PULLS HARD AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN I'M NOT. IN ORDER TO NOT LET IT ACCELERATE, I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE QUITE HARD. THIS FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

20141015ENGINE

AFTER LETTING MY CAR SIT FOR 8+ HOURS, EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND PUT IT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT PULLS HARD AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN I'M NOT. IN ORDER TO NOT LET IT ACCELERATE, I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE QUITE HARD. THIS FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

20141015SERVICE BRAKES

AFTER LETTING MY CAR SIT FOR 8+ HOURS, EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND PUT IT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT PULLS HARD AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN I'M NOT. IN ORDER TO NOT LET IT ACCELERATE, I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE QUITE HARD. THIS FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

20141014ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WATER PUMP COOLANT CAMPAIGN MY AUTO BODY SHOP SAID MY CAR IS LEAKING COOLANT AND THERES A CAMPAIGN OUT ON THE WATER PUMP. I'M ASKING IF YOU COULD PUSH THE CAMPAIGN THROUGH AND RECALL THE WATER PUMPS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS I'M AFRAID MY CAR WILL BREAK DOWN. *TR

20140918POWER TRAIN

AUDI A5 3.0L DIESEL QUATTRO EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY HAD JUST COME TO A HALT. ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART. TURNS OUT THE FAILURE OF MAIN THE MAIN DIESEL PUMP DESTROYED ENTIRE FUEL LINE SYSTEM! AUDI QUOTED 13,000K REPLACEMENT COST TO CHANGE ALL 3 PUMPS, ALL 6 INJECTORS AND CLEAN FUEL TANK! I AM SHOCKED. AUDI DEALER SAID QUITE A FEW CASES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

20140918FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

AUDI A5 3.0L DIESEL QUATTRO EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY HAD JUST COME TO A HALT. ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART. TURNS OUT THE FAILURE OF MAIN THE MAIN DIESEL PUMP DESTROYED ENTIRE FUEL LINE SYSTEM! AUDI QUOTED 13,000K REPLACEMENT COST TO CHANGE ALL 3 PUMPS, ALL 6 INJECTORS AND CLEAN FUEL TANK! I AM SHOCKED. AUDI DEALER SAID QUITE A FEW CASES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

20110127ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN ENGINE SURGE WHEN STARTING COLD (HEATED GARAGE 45) AND MOVING APPROX 50 TO 75 FEET. THE RPM SURGES FROM 500 TO 1800RPM SEVERAL TIMES AND WILL OCCASIONALLY DIE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WITH VARIOUS BRANDS OF PREMIUM FUEL. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE ADDED A FUEL CONDITIONER, REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE STILL SURGES AT VARIOUS TIMES. IT HAS DIED AFTER LEAVING AN ON STREET PARKING SPOT IN TRAFFIC. IT DOES NOT SURGE ON SUBSEQUENT STARTS WITHIN 6 - 8 HOURS AND GENERALLY NOT DURING SUMMER MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 4,000

20110115STEERING

OCTOBER 2010 SEVERE WOBBLING OF STEERING WHEEL, AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINT WITH DEALER THEY HAVE TO CARRY OUT FULL WHEEL ALIGNMENT THAT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY. THIS SAME COMPLAINT HAS NOW STARTED AGAIN ALTHOUGH ONLY A PULL TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BY AUDI DEALER AND WHEEL CAMBER APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WOULD NOT RECTIFY FAULT UNDER WARRANTY AS THIS IS ACCORDING TO THEM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF VEHICLE, I HAVE DONE 2.5K MILES SINCE ALL 4 WHEELS WERE DONE AND I HAVE NOT HIT OR DAMAGED MY WHEELS ALIGNMENT AND AUDI WILL NOT SUPPORT ME AS THE DRIVER AND WILL ONLY BACK THEIR DEALERSHIP. I DO BELIEVE MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM AS THE ALIGNMENT IS OUT ON THE N/S FRONT AND REAR WHEEL. HAS ANYONE ELSE SUFFERED FROM THIS.....I REFUSED TO PAY THEM UNDER RANSOM AND I AM NOW SEEKING A SECOND OPINION. *TR

Mileage: 16,000

20100119ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE WATER PUMP BROKE CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK AND THE "STOP ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO PUT SOME WATER IN THE EMPTY COOLANT TANK - BUT ALL OF THE LIQUID LEAKED THROUGH. STEAM WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT I PUT WATER IN THE COOLANT TANK AND DRIVE TO THE FACILITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (IT WAS ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY.) THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED WATER PUMP, CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK DUE TO THE PRESSURE. APPARENTLY FIVE OTHER VEHICLES (AUDI A5 AND Q5) WERE BROUGHT IN OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS. REPLACEMENT PART IS BACK ORDERED AND VEHICLE IS STILL IMMOBILIZED AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING PART FROM GERMANY. THIS VEHICLE HAD ITS 5,000 MILE SERVICE LESS THAN A WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 4,500

Compare 2009AUDIA5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 AUDI A5 have?
The 2009 AUDI A5 has 17 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 AUDI A5?
Yes, the 2009 AUDI A5 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 AUDI A5?
The most-complained component for the 2009 AUDI A5 is STRUCTURE:BODY with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2009 AUDI A5 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.