Audi A5 overheating problems

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Electrical · LA

I turned on my car and several malfunctions came on the dash,and would not start and went in limp mode. A local mechanic stated it's the electrical component of the coolant pump causing malfunction. He also stated that could lead the car catching fire if overheats since the 5V is dipping below due to the faulty coolant /water pump. Ultimately forcing the car in limp mode for safety precautions. The problem is I purchase my car at 87,000 miles from the Audi dealership, and the extended warranty that covers the car is 80,000 miles

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Electrical · MD

Audi’s wireless charging pad in 2021–2024 A4/A5/Q5 models: •Overheats the phone •Triggers a thermal radio throttle •iPhone temporarily disables Bluetooth hardware •Audi MMI sees that and throws: “Bluetooth function is currently unavailable.” •Wireless CarPlay collapses because it needs Bluetooth + WiFi Direct •Audio goes dead along with it This EXACT sequence is documented across A4/A5/Q3/Q5 forums and Audi service bulletins. The pad is the culprit — not your phone, not the car. When bluetooth and apple car play shut down, so do directions which causes driver to scramble to find phone and follow phone screen which distracts drivers and causes accidents. It happens every time you use the tray after 5-20 minutes. Very scary for older drivers. Would like the federal safety agency to pressure Audi into a recall and fix the pad at Audi's expense. I bought the car to use the wireless charger, not have to work around it. And it is exceptionally unsafe.

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · TX

I was driving down the interstate when my Warning Transmission Failure light came on. Then another message said you can drive with limited use if vehicle. Seconds later the Warning Transmission Failure light came on again and said drive to your nearest repair shop. Moments later the Warning came on and said safely stop your vehicle. I pulled over on the side of the road and pit my car in park. After doing so the Warning Transmission Failure stayed on and the car no longer would shift into any gears. The car never overheated or stopped running. I had to get the car towed. My car has been in the shop for 3.5 weeks and no one can tell me what's wrong with it.

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · Engine · WA

I own a 2018 Audi A5. Many critical cooling system parts — including the thermostat housing, water pump housing, radiator end tanks, breather tubes, and quick-connect hoses — are made of plastic and sit in constant exposure to coolant temperatures over 200°F. Over time, these components become brittle, crack, and fail prematurely. Recently, the plastic breather/return hose between the coolant reservoir and the radiator broke apart during routine service due to brittleness. When these parts fail, coolant leaks quickly, which can cause sudden overheating, engine damage, and potential vehicle disablement while driving. Based on owner reports and my own experience, this appears to be a widespread issue across Audi/VW vehicles of this generation. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether the use of plastic in these high-heat, high-pressure components represents a design defect that creates a safety hazard.

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 83,000 miles · MN

The contact's cousin owns a 2013 Audi A5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to overheat. The warning message "Pull Over and Check Coolant" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and upon checking the coolant reservoir, the contact noticed that the coolant was leaking. The contact added coolant and was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. The contact stated that the coolant would leak onto the ground while refilling the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer drivable. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. However, as the contact's friend was picking up the vehicle on his behalf, he noticed that there was no coolant in the vehicle. The dealer then added coolant however, the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was notified and advised the contact that the failure was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the coolant pump sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred a month later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the dealer had already marked the recall as completed. Additionally, the contact stated that the interior lights of the vehicle would fail to operate intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Engine · CA

Large coolant leak due to faulty plastic thermostat and water pump which can cause overheating, catastrophic engine failure, and fire, putting consumers at risk. The thermostat housing has been replaced by the dealership, but not the water pump, just the water pump seal. There were no warnings prior to the failure, and was only diagnosed after a visual inspection under the vehicle.

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Engine · 53,843 miles · CA

In sep 2016 my 2013 audi a5 started smoking and overheating while driving on the freeway. I drove my car home and searched for a reputable auto shop in my city that I drove my car to. My vehicle was analyzed and inspected to find out that the coolant/waterpump needed to be replaced, which my car was no longer under warranty. At this moment I just left my car at this auto repair shop as it was my only vehicle and needed repaired asap. Within the last year and very recently their have been many recalls relative to overheating coolant/water pump issues causing overheating and possibly set on fire. I had it repaired at the auto shop, which costed me nearly $1200! I found this absurd as my vehicle was only 3.5 years old with an overheating problem. Is there any way I can get this researched and reimbursed by the manufacture as my issue happened prior to recalls were published? I have attached a repair invoice for your review. Thank you.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Engine · CA

Audi along with volkswagen, equipped with the 2.0l engine has one of the highest watet pump failure rate. I have conducted some research and there is numerous accounts in blogs/vlogs and youtube of individuals giving personal statement on their "water pump" misfortune. I personally own a audi a5 with 54,000 miles and I'm just one of thousands of statistics that have gone through the "water pump" trauma. I have crossed referenced several recall websites and according to audi and volkswagen recalls towards these pumps have never been issued. Now that is scary!!! About a year and half ago while my audi was still under warranty I noticed coolant lost, the audi dealership topped it of and send me on my way. A second time while still under warranty I visited audi dealership and expressed my conserns with low coolant level and once again it was topped off, I was given a mediocre answer, I was respectful called "sr" and drove off. So from time to time I would add coolant and thought nothing of it. Summer of 2017 is when I was driving home after a day of hiking when I notice a lost of cool air, my A/C quit working and my temperature gauge was past the midpoint level. At this point I was seconds way from home so I was reliefed.turned out the pump gave out, my cooling fluid had evaporated and my warning light never came on. Perhaps audi dealership did not see traces of coolant at the first visit and second inspection. Perhaps the dealership was not aware of these faulty pumps or perhaps I neglected to play the mechanic/service personal/professional. However according to audi a sb service bulletin released on july 11, 2013 states as follows "coolant leak at connection of water pump and hose leading to the heater core", attached is the bulletin. I would greatly appreciate you guys looking into this matter. Thank you miguel 😊

Filed May 30, 2017 · Engine · 71,000 miles · LA · fire

The federal safety agency recall 17v‑002 cooling pump overheating. On friday may 26, 2017 on are about 0645 I received a call from the base police stating that my car was on fire in the parking lot. I had been at work since 0600 there were no indications of any problems while driving to work no dashboard lights were on my car was due for oil change 71222.

Filed Jan 24, 2011 · Engine · 10,500 miles · VA

As I was driving to work on a cold january morning here in the mid-atlantic, the water pump broke again after audi replaced it about a year ago. The coolant leaked quickly, and the "shut engine" light came on. I waited for four hours before a tow truck was available. According to my dealer, audi is aware that these plastic water pumps are defective but did not inform audi drivers for two reasons: 1) they do not have sufficient parts in stock to replace all the probable defective ones and according to regulations, they must have ample parts before they can issue a voluntary recall; and 2) it has not been required by the government because there are insufficient complaints. The dealer replaced the broken pump with one that is now supposedly made of metal instead of plastic. It took them only a day to get the replacement part in, as opposed to a week the first time this occurred. The dealer informed me that they have been dealing with 5-10 cases of broken water pumps each week since the cold weather started - audi a5/q5s.