The 2022 Audi S5 with the 3.0T V6 is generally solid, but the EA839 Evo engine has shown concerning oil consumption and internal wear issues even at low mileage. Transmission cooling system failures are also becoming a pattern.
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Low oil warnings between changes, Carbon buildup on intake valves exacerbating issue
Fix: Engine teardown to replace piston rings and clean cylinders, sometimes requires full short block if cylinder scoring present. 18-25 hours labor. Audi has issued TSBs but no recall yet. Some cases covered under powertrain warranty as goodwill.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission overheating warnings, Harsh shifts or limp mode, Coolant and trans fluid cross-contamination (pink milky fluid), Check engine light with trans temp codes
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and flush both cooling system and transmission. If contamination occurred, full trans fluid exchange required. 4-6 hours labor. Critical to catch early before trans internal damage.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive drivetrain movement felt in cabin, Vibration at idle in Drive, Shifter feels notchy or catches
Fix: Replace failed transmission mount, typically the rear mount fails first on AWD models. Requires transmission support and subframe access. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Long crank or no-start condition, Loss of power under load, Rough idle and misfires, Fuel system pressure fault codes
Fix: Replace high-pressure fuel pump on engine (not in-tank pump). Requires intake manifold removal for access. 4-5 hours labor. Use OEM pump only, aftermarket failures are common.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
MMI Touch Screen Failure
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Touch screen unresponsive or intermittent, Display freezes or goes black, No response to inputs, hard reboot doesn't help, NHTSA recall issued for some units
Fix: Software update if under recall coverage, otherwise MMI unit replacement required. 2-3 hours labor for R&R. Check for open recalls first (NHTSA 22V-723).
Estimated cost: $1,500-3,000
Backup Camera Failure
Rare · medium severity
Symptoms: No image when in reverse, Distorted or flickering camera view, MMI shows 'camera unavailable' message, NHTSA recall 22V-660 covers some units
Fix: Camera module replacement in trunk handle. 1-2 hours labor. Check recall status first before paying out of pocket.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle and misfires, Loss of power and reduced fuel economy, Hard starts when engine hot, Multiple misfire codes on scanner
Fix: Walnut blasting intake ports with manifold removed. Direct-injection engines have no fuel wash on valves. Preventive service recommended every 60k. 5-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Owner tips
Check oil level every 1,000 miles religiously — EA839 Evo motors can drop a quart fast with no warning
Catch-can installation helps reduce carbon buildup, popular mod in S5 community
Get pre-purchase inspection focusing on oil consumption test (5-point check) and trans fluid condition
Keep all service records — Audi goodwill on engine work depends on perfect maintenance history
Great driving dynamics, but roll the dice on engine longevity — budget $10k reserve for potential oil consumption repair and avoid any unit already showing consumption issues.
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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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 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 21V825000
2021-10-20
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
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 2022 Audi S5 3.0L Turbo V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.