AudiA5 Sportback2014Overview/audi/a5-sportback/2014/base/

2014 Audi A5 Sportback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2014 A5 Sportback.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2014 Audi A5 Sportback is a passenger car equipped with an automatic AV-S8 transmission and an engine that takes 4.9 quarts of 5W-30 or 5W-40 API oil, returning EPA estimates of 23 city, 31 highway, and 26 combined mpg. This model year logged 29 owner complaints with the engine cited as the top concern and three recalls issued. Across the broader model history tracked from 2019 to 2025, complaint volumes peaked at 60 in 2020 and fell to a low of 1 in 2025, placing the 2014 edition well below the range's high-water mark but above its quietest year.

Model year202520242023202220212020201820142013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/31/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06J115403Q
Engine air filter8R0133843K
Fuel filter8K0201511TA
Spark plug06H905621A alt 06H905601A
Front wiper blades8K1955426A alt 8K1955425A
Serpentine belt06J260849F
Thermostat06H121113B alt 06J121113C
Cabin air filter8K0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.7 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight4045 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 31 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.4 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.9 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts6.67 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAudi/VW
Spark Plug Torque22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Torque22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.70-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Engine Compression159-203 PSI @ RPM. 44 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 USE NEW BOLTS ONLY ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.472 in / 0.866 in / 1.181 in / 0.984 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.472 in / 0.866 in / 1.181 in / 0.984 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.394 in / 0.787 in / 1.102 in / 0.906 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
174, STEP 290 DEGREES
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 906 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9033 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
4front bolts only 6.0 ft. lbs.6 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12 ft. lbs., step 2: 72 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 8.9 ft. lbs., step 3: 11.8 ft. lbs., step 4: step 18.43.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 35,000 mi.

At 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
At 15,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Convertible Top Latch (lubricate)
Every 20,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Convertible Top Latch (lubricate)
At 35,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 40,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 55,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 75,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2014 Audi A5 Sportback shows a low volume of complaints concentrated in the engine (8) and steering (7) areas, with zero reported crashes or fires. In the context of the available federal record, later years exhibit an increasing trend in issues, with complaints peaking at 60 in 2020 and recalls rising from 3 in 2019 to 5 in 2021. The 2014 model precedes this surge and the high frequency of TSBs, which hit 1,048 by 2021. The data does not specify the root causes for the 2014 engine and steering complaints. Because it avoids the high complaint and recall volumes seen in the 2019-2021 window, this is a good year to buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1152
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
29
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 29 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine8
Steering7
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System,Visibility/Wiper2
Structure1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Steering,Electrical System1
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V622000Electrical System:WiringReported 05/10/2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may…

17V002000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemReported 03/01/2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1152 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2028902_52026-06-23Power TrainThis bulletin provides informaiton when the transmission warning message appears in the…
TSB_2028985_132026-06-23Power TrainThis bulleitn procides informaiton when tehre is a transmission warning mssage in the…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2082323_12026-06-10EngineThis bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific A5 Sportback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2014 A5 Sportback take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, per the factory manual.

Does the 2014 A5 Sportback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A5 Sportback get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.