The 2019 Audi RS 5 has 5 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints3filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Tires
NHTSA recall 22V034000 · Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
NHTSA recall 21V874000 · Nov 10, 2021 · 208,332 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Seats
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
NHTSA recall 20V760000 · Dec 9, 2020 · 2,355 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Coupe vehicles. An incorrect positive battery terminal cover was installed.
Risk: In the event of a rear crash, the incorrect cover can cause the 12-volt power supply to be compromised, preventing the vehicle doors from being opened from the outside, or the hazard warning lights from functioning, increasing risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive terminal cover, free of charge. The recall began January 19, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 27i6.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2019 Audi RS5 2 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
2019 Audi RS5 Sportback 4 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.9%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
RS 5
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
RS 5 Sportback
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system
2
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 22, 2025Electrical system SOS malfunction , B18BD11 code, is set off intermittently while driving. A Loud SOS alert distracts driver due to imtermittemt cable short. Defective cable needs replacing.
Jun 17, 2025Electrical system Could you please make Audi add my car to the recall list? Thank you- Audi has issued a recall for certain models due to a software issue affecting the Emergency Call (SOS) system. This malfunction can prevent the system from establishing an online connection and receiving cell broadcast messages, potentially hindering emergency services. The recall, designated as Service Action 90T2, involves updating the emergency call module control unit and communication unit software. Details of the Recall: Problem: A software configuration issue can lead to the SOS system's inability to establish an online connection and receive cell broadcast messages. Consequences: In rare cases, a permanent failure…
Apr 1, 2023Structure › Body My husband and son were driving down the road and the sunroof exploded causing glass shards to go everywhere. Temp was 43 degree. According to my husband, it sounded like a bomb went off. Both my husband and son were covered in glass. We had to pull small glass pieces from my son.The vehicle is currently at the dealership. Audi has had know issues/recalls with sunroofs in the last 10 years.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.