There are 3 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2009 Audi A5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WATER PUMP COOLANT CAMPAIGN MY AUTO BODY SHOP SAID MY CAR IS LEAKING COOLANT AND THERES A CAMPAIGN OUT ON THE WATER PUMP. I'M ASKING IF YOU COULD PUSH THE CAMPAIGN THROUGH AND RECALL THE WATER PUMPS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS I'M AFRAID MY CAR WILL BREAK DOWN. *TR
THE WATER PUMP BROKE CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK AND THE "STOP ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO PUT SOME WATER IN THE EMPTY COOLANT TANK - BUT ALL OF THE LIQUID LEAKED THROUGH. STEAM WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT I PUT WATER IN THE COOLANT TANK AND DRIVE TO THE FACILITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (IT WAS ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY.) THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED WATER PUMP, CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK DUE TO THE PRESSURE. APPARENTLY FIVE OTHER VEHICLES (AUDI A5 AND Q5) WERE BROUGHT IN OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS. REPLACEMENT PART IS BACK ORDERED AND VEHICLE IS STILL IMMOBILIZED AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING PART FROM GERMANY. THIS VEHICLE HAD ITS 5,000 MILE SERVICE LESS THAN A WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *TR
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN ENGINE SURGE WHEN STARTING COLD (HEATED GARAGE 45) AND MOVING APPROX 50 TO 75 FEET. THE RPM SURGES FROM 500 TO 1800RPM SEVERAL TIMES AND WILL OCCASIONALLY DIE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WITH VARIOUS BRANDS OF PREMIUM FUEL. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE ADDED A FUEL CONDITIONER, REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE STILL SURGES AT VARIOUS TIMES. IT HAS DIED AFTER LEAVING AN ON STREET PARKING SPOT IN TRAFFIC. IT DOES NOT SURGE ON SUBSEQUENT STARTS WITHIN 6 - 8 HOURS AND GENERALLY NOT DURING SUMMER MONTHS. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026