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2017 Audi A5 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2017 Audi A5 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 2owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 16%fail the UK MOT
The least complained-about Audi A5 year on file: 2 complaints, against an average of 17 for the other model years.
Every Audi A5 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2017 Audi A5?
The components named most often in the 2 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2017 Audi A5 been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Cooling System 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.
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Cooling System 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.
Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2017 Audi A5 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAVehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty
Risk: Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and where necessary replaced on the vehicles affected.
UK DVSAMoisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator
Risk: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAThe locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty
Risk: Hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and replaced if required.
UK DVSAFuel may escape from one or both fuel rails
Risk: It is possible that fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails (low-pressure side).
Fix: The fuel rails for the low-pressure side of both cylinder banks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAPassenger airbag module bolts securing to the dash panel may be insufficiently tightened
Risk: Air bag securing bolts may not be to the correct torque.
Fix: Check and replace bolts as required.
UK DVSARisk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump
Risk: On affected vehicles moisture may enter the electronic components and cause overheating and failure of the additional coolant pump. localised smoulder damage cannot be ruled out and in individual cases may cause vehicle to catch fire.
Fix: The additional coolant pump must be replaced and in addition a software update of the engine control unit must be carried out
UK DVSAAluminium trim may partly detach from loudspeaker trim in doors and cause injury to occupants
Risk: The aluminium trim may become detached from the loud speaker trim in the front or rear doors. Cuts and other injuries from the sharp edges may occur.
Fix: The affected vehicles will be recalled and all four aluminium strips on the loud speaker trims will be replaced.
UK DVSACoolant pump may overheat
Risk: Foreign particles in the engine coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.Foreign particles in the coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.
Fix: Recall the machines that are likely to be affected and update the software which will deactivate the additional coolant pump in the event of malfunction. If there has been a malfunction of the additional water pump it will be replaced.
UK DVSAAirbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident
Risk: Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Fix: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seta belt pretensioner where necessary.
EU Safety GateThe vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021
EU Safety GateThe vehicles may be fitted with a towbar with a swivel mechanism that may have a defective locking pin.As a result, the pin could break while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateMoisture can ingress into the belt starter generator, generating short-circuits.This can lead to local overheating of the component, increasing risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateMoisture can penetrate into the belt starter generator.This can result in a short circuit, leading to local overheating and increased risk of fire.Due to the permanent power supply of the starter generator, this can occur when the vehicle has already been parked for a while.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateA damaged transistor may have been installed in the airbag control unit.Years estimatedConsequently, it may not properly make contact leading to the passenger airbag not to be triggered in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateIn certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail.Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe screw fitting the passenger airbag module to the instrument panel may not have been correctly tightened.This could have an impact on the inflation of the airbag and thus the protection of the occupant.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe auxiliary coolant pump may seize up.This could lead to the pump overheating after the engine has been switched off with the risk that the vehicle could catch fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDecorative aluminium strips on the lower part of the front or rear door trims may become partly detached.The sharp ends of the strips could cause injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe adhesive attaching the windscreen is not sufficiently secure.In the event of an accident, the protective effect of the passenger airbag could be compromised.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe additional coolant pump can block due to foreign particles in the cooling system.This can result in the pump overheating which could lead to a fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe micro gas generator of the rear seat-belt pre-tensioners may be incorrectly installed.As a result, in the event of an accident, it can come loose and parts may inadvertently enter the passenger compartment, causing injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDifferences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or…Differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners not activating in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2017 Audi A5 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2017, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2017 Audi A5 owners report?
2 of the 2 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
SAFETY RECALL 19N4 (NHTSA 18V229) WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 2018. ATTACHED NOTICE INDICATES THAT VEHICLE SHOULD BE PARKED OUTDOORS AS A PRECAUTION, TO AVOID A FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP. RECALL REPAIRS ARE NOT ANTICIPATED UNTIL LATE 2018. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT 4 MONTHS TO GET A REPAIR SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I TALKED TO MY LOCAL SERVICE PERSON AT AUDI DANVERS, MA WHO CONFIRMED THE RECALL REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. I ALSO EMAILED AUDI USA BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS RECTIFIED?
I PURCHASED THIS VECHILED 10 MONTHS AGO. AT 800 MILES, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CRANKSHAFT, THROTTLE BODY AND CAM ADJUSTER WERE ALL REPORTED TO AUDI USA AND REPAIRED OR REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. AUDI USA IS SAYING IT WAS ONLY A BRACKET. THE CAR STILL PAUSES AND JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING, AND HAS AN ANNOYINGLY LOUD VIBRATION. I AM NOT CONFIDENT IN THE AUDI BRAND ANYMORE, AND AFTER 10 PREVIOUSLY OWNED AUDI - I AM MOVING ON TO THEIR GERMAN COMPETITOR.
2017 Audi A5: questions owners ask
Is the 2017 Audi A5 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Audi A5; the most common categories were engine (2, 100%). There are 2 safety recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A5?
Across 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (100% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2017 Audi A5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Audi A5; the most recent (campaign 18V229000, 2018-04-11) concerns Engine And Engine Cooling: Cooling System. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own A5
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2017 only.