Audi A5 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 194 owner complaints and 19 recalls on file for the Audi A5 (2008–2026). The 2020 A5 has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints
194
Recalls
19
Model years
19
Worst year
2020

Complaints by model year

12008220107520121118201445201631201810602020872022882024812026
NHTSA complaints per Audi A5 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Audi A5 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2020 Audi A5 — 60 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Electrical System
  2. 2018 Audi A5 — 31 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2017 (0 complaints).

Every Audi A5 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 A510000Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2025 A580002Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 A580000Electrical System
2023 A580000Wheels & Tires
2022 A570002Wheels & Tires
2021 A580005Electrical System
2020 A5601004Electrical System
2019 A5101003Steering
2018 A5311026Engine
2017 A500002—
2016 A550003Body & Structure
2015 A540003Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2014 A5180003Steering
2013 A5111003Electrical System
2012 A550100Engine
2011 A572010Airbags
2010 A520000Engine
2009 A500001—
2008 A510001Brakes

Most common Audi A5 problem areas (all years)

  • Electrical System
    68 complaints
  • Engine
    30 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    30 complaints
  • Steering
    17 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    14 complaints
  • Airbags
    11 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    11 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    9 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    9 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    7 complaints

Complaint trend

202020212022202320252026
Complaints about the Audi A5 received by NHTSA each month.

Audi A5 recalls

  • Recall 25V899000Dec 19, 202527,768 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 25V638000Sep 24, 20251,042 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: In a crash, a damaged torsion bar in a retractor could fail. If this happens, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 22V806000Oct 26, 20226,076 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V742000Oct 5, 2022170,296 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V034000Jan 26, 202231,058 vehiclesModel years 2019–2021

    Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V874000Nov 10, 2021208,332 vehiclesModel years 2018–2020

    Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 21V825000Oct 20, 20212,857 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V606000Aug 5, 202145,496 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 21V295000Apr 26, 202140,993 vehiclesModel years 2019–2021

    Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V737000Nov 25, 20205,426 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021

    Risk: Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 19V547000Jul 24, 2019145,337 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 18V893000Dec 17, 201836 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: A loose front wheel may increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V836000Nov 27, 201812 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.

  • Recall 18V229000Apr 11, 2018342,867 vehiclesModel years 2013–2017

    Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 17V822000Dec 20, 20178,037 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the head curtain air bag, if the air bag does not deploy properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

  • Recall 17V675000Oct 25, 201731,323 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

  • Recall 17V622000Oct 5, 2017216,913 vehiclesModel years 2013–2016

    Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 17V002000Jan 3, 2017342,867 vehiclesModel years 2013–2017

    Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 16V376000May 27, 20168,381 vehiclesModel years 2008–2009

    Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Other Audi models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology