Audi S5 problems by model year
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
NHTSA has 85 owner complaints and 14 recalls on file for the Audi S5 (2010–2026). The 2020 S5 has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.
- Complaints
- 85
- Recalls
- 14
- Model years
- 16
- Worst year
- 2020
Complaints by model year
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 S5 years to buy
Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).
- 2020 Audi S5 — 25 complaints; top problem: Electrical System
Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2011 (0 complaints).
Every Audi S5 model year
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 S5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes |
| 2025 S5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2024 S5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2023 S5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | Wheels & Tires |
| 2022 S5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System |
| 2021 S5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Suspension |
| 2020 S5 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System |
| 2019 S5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Engine |
| 2018 S5 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Engine |
| 2016 S5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Steering |
| 2015 S5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine |
| 2014 S5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2013 S5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2012 S5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System |
| 2011 S5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2010 S5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion |
Most common Audi S5 problem areas (all years)
- Electrical System25 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech25 complaints
- Engine18 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain10 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion8 complaints
- Airbags6 complaints
- Steering4 complaints
- Brakes4 complaints
- Suspension4 complaints
- Wheels & Tires3 complaints
Complaint trend
Audi S5 recalls
Risk: An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Risk: A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Risk: Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
Risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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