Audi A5 Reliability
418 NHTSA complaints (2008–2025). Complaint rate: 19.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2020 Audi A5. The 2021–2022 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Audi A5 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 71 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE | 56 | 0.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 54 | 1.9% |
| AIR BAGS | 48 | 4.2% |
| STEERING | 27 | 7.4% |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS | 14 | 0.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 14 | 7.1% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 13 | 0.0% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 13 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 | 10.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | — | View 2008View→ |
| 2009 | — | 17 | 0 | — | View 2009View→ |
| 2010AVOID | — | 37 | 0 | — | View 2010View→ |
| 2011AVOID | — | 27 | 1 | — | View 2011View→ |
| 2012 | — | 25 | 0 | 3 | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | — | 43 | 4 | 2 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014AVOID | — | 38 | 0 | — | View 2014View→ |
| 2015 | — | 11 | 0 | — | View 2015View→ |
| 2016GOOD | — | 9 | 0 | — | View 2016View→ |
| 2018AVOID | — | 46 | 2 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2019 | — | 18 | 3 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2020AVOID | — | 102 | 3 | — | View 2020View→ |
| 2021GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View 2021View→ |
| 2022GOOD | — | 7 | 0 | — | View 2022View→ |
| 2023 | — | 11 | 0 | — | View 2023View→ |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 9 | 0 | — | View 2024View→ |
| 2025TOO NEW | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 2025View→ |
See also: Audi A5accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Audi A5?
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