The 2020 Audi S5 with the 3.0T EA839 engine is generally reliable by Audi standards, but the early B9.5 refresh models can suffer from catastrophic low-mileage engine failures tied to piston ring land cracking and oil consumption—a well-documented issue affecting some 2018-2020 3.0T engines that Audi has quietly addressed under extended warranties.
Piston Ring Land Failure / Catastrophic Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden excessive oil consumption (quart per 500-1000 miles), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Check engine light for misfires or lean codes, Metallic knocking from engine bay in advanced cases
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Involves pulling engine, replacing pistons, rings, and often bearings. 25-35 labor hours. Some cases covered under Audi extended warranty (case-by-case), otherwise catastrophic expense. This is a known defect in early EA839 production runs.
Estimated cost: $12,000-18,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Leaking
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid spots under vehicle near front, Low transmission fluid warning on dash, Burnt smell or harsh shifting if fluid level drops significantly
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and/or cooler lines. Often the crimp connections at the hard lines fail. 3-5 hours labor including fluid refill and system flush.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive driveline vibration at idle in gear, Visible torn rubber or fluid leaking from mount (hydraulic type)
Fix: Replace transmission mount. The ZF 8-speed sits on a hydraulic mount that wears from torque cycling. 1.5-2.5 hours labor, straightforward drop and swap.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Water Pump Failure (Mechanical, Belt-Driven)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant leak from front of engine (weep hole), Squealing or grinding noise from accessory belt area, Overheating or coolant warning light
Fix: Replace water pump and serpentine belt while in there. The EA839 uses a traditional belt-driven pump that can seize or leak. 4-6 hours labor due to tight engine bay and accessory removal.
Estimated cost: $900-1,600
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle or hesitation on cold start, Reduced power and fuel economy, Misfires under load (check engine light)
Fix: Walnut blasting intake valves. Direct-injection engines have no fuel washing the valves. Plan on this service every 60-80k miles. 4-6 hours labor to remove intake manifold and blast each runner.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Rear Differential Bushings Deterioration
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from rear on acceleration or braking (Quattro models), Vibration through chassis under power, Visible cracking or oil seepage at diff mounts
Fix: Replace rear subframe bushings and/or differential mounts. Quattro system puts stress on these rubber isolators. 3-5 hours labor depending on whether full subframe drop is needed.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500
Owner tips
Check oil level every 1,000 miles religiously—early oil consumption is your canary for ring land issues; document and escalate to Audi if consumption spikes
Walnut blast intake valves at 60k and again at 120k as preventive maintenance—don't wait for misfires
Use OE-spec transmission fluid (ZF Lifeguard 8) only; cheap fluid destroys these 8-speeds
Inspect transmission cooler lines and mounts during every oil change after 50k miles
Excellent driver's car with strong performance, but avoid early-production 2018-2020 3.0T engines unless you can confirm no oil consumption history or verify Audi goodwill engine replacement already done—otherwise a $15k gamble.
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 cargo floor in rear
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Control Modules — 2020 Audi S5
Every control module on the 2017-2026 Audi S5 — 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.
⚠️ Optional equipment. Qi wireless charging. Minimal coding typically 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.
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 S5 3.0L Turbo V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.