The error code B200096 in a 2016 Audi A5 typically indicates a problem related to the vehicle's airbag system, specifically pointing towards an issue with the passenger occupancy sensor. This sensor is crucial for determining whether the passenger seat is occupied and, if so, by an adult, child, or child seat. Its primary function is to enable or disable the passenger airbag accordingly. When this error code is present, the airbag system may not function as designed during a collision, potentially failing to deploy the passenger airbag when needed or deploying it when it's not safe to do so. This malfunction can lead to increased risk of injury during an accident. The issue may be intermittent or constant, and warning signs include the airbag warning light staying illuminated on the dashboard and possibly receiving an error message regarding the passenger airbag system.

The likely root cause of this issue could be a faulty passenger occupancy sensor, wiring issues related to the sensor, or a malfunction within the airbag control module itself. The passenger occupancy sensor is integrated into the passenger seat and uses weight and pressure sensors to determine occupancy status. Over time, these sensors can fail due to wear and tear, physical damage, or electrical faults, such as short circuits or corroded connectors. Wiring issues might include breaks, shorts, or disconnections. If not addressed, this problem could compromise the airbag system's ability to correctly determine the occupancy status of the passenger seat, leading to incorrect airbag deployment decisions in the event of a collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury to passengers.