The 2020 A5 with the 2.0T EA888 Gen 3 engine is generally solid, but watch for oil consumption issues that can snowball into catastrophic engine damage if ignored. The 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission is robust but has a known cooler leak weakness.
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, blue smoke on cold start or hard acceleration, low oil pressure warning, Check Engine Light with misfires
Fix: EA888 Gen 3 engines can develop piston ring land issues causing severe oil consumption. If caught early, sometimes cleaning carbon helps temporarily, but most cases need piston replacement or short block. 18-25 labor hours for proper fix with engine out.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leak
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid dripping from bell housing area, pink fluid puddles under car, burnt transmission smell, harsh shifts when fluid gets low
Fix: The cooler lines or cooler itself develop leaks where they interface with the transmission case. Requires transmission removal to access properly. 8-12 labor hours plus fluid refill and adaptation.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,200
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, reduced fuel economy, misfires under load, long crank time
Fix: Direct injection means no fuel washing the valves. Requires walnut blasting the intake valves with manifold off. 4-6 labor hours. Should be preventive maintenance every 60k-80k miles on these engines.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting from Park to Drive, vibration at idle in gear, excessive engine movement visible when revving
Fix: The pendulum-style transmission mount tears internally. Straightforward replacement from underneath. 1.5-2.5 labor hours depending on access.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Fuel Filter Clogging (Pre-Pump Filter)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: hard starting after sitting, intermittent stalling, loss of power under load, fuel pressure codes P0087
Fix: The in-tank pre-filter screens can clog from contaminated fuel or debris. Requires fuel tank drop and pump assembly removal. Often misdiagnosed as high-pressure pump failure. 3-4 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle
Rare · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: metallic rattle on cold start for 2-3 seconds, rattle disappears once oil pressure builds, eventually constant rattle if ignored
Fix: Gen 3 EA888 improved over Gen 2 but tensioners still fail occasionally. Requires front timing cover removal, new chain, tensioner, and guides recommended. 8-12 labor hours. Catastrophic if chain jumps timing.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Owner tips
Check oil level every 1,000 miles religiously — oil consumption can escalate quickly and starve bearings
Use Audi-spec 502.00/504.00 oil and quality filters; cheap oil accelerates carbon buildup and ring issues
Walnut blast the intake valves every 60k-80k miles as preventive maintenance to avoid misfires and performance loss
Inspect transmission cooler area for seepage during every oil change — small leaks become expensive quickly
Buy one if maintenance records show regular oil consumption monitoring and proactive carbon cleaning; avoid high-mileage examples with no service history or complaints of oil burning.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system; located under rear seat or trunk area
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Control Modules — 2020 Audi A5
Every control module on the 2017-2026 Audi A5 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Memory seats and massage functions. Calibration required.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SEATS · 21V874000
2021-11-10
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.
Consequence: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS · 20V737000
2020-11-25
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
Consequence: Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
Vehicle Info — 2020 Audi A5
Performance
Horsepower
248hp
Torque
273lb-ft
0–60 mph
5.6sec
Quarter mile
14.2sec
Top speed
130mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
24mpg
Highway
32mpg
Combined
27mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Curb weight
3,814lb
Seating
5seats
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Wiper blades
2020 A5 Coupe (B9 generation). No rear wiper on coupe body style.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2020 Audi A5 2.0L Turbo I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.