Audi S5 Reliability
191 NHTSA complaints (2008–2025). Complaint rate: 19.6 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 S5. The 2022–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
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 S5 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 | 3.8% |
| AIR BAGS | 25 | 4.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 25 | 4.0% |
| ENGINE | 22 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 21 | 0.0% |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS | 10 | 0.0% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 | 0.0% |
| STEERING | 7 | 0.0% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 5 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 5 | 0.0% |
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 | — | 3 | 0 | — | View 2008View→ |
| 2010AVOID | — | 26 | 0 | — | View 2010View→ |
| 2011 | — | 9 | 0 | — | View 2011View→ |
| 2012 | — | 10 | 0 | — | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | — | 18 | 0 | — | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | — | 7 | 0 | — | View 2014View→ |
| 2015GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 2015View→ |
| 2016GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | — | View 2016View→ |
| 2018AVOID | — | 40 | 4 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2019 | — | 5 | 0 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2020AVOID | — | 50 | 0 | — | View 2020View→ |
| 2022GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2022View→ |
| 2023GOOD | — | 3 | 1 | — | View 2023View→ |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2024View→ |
| 2025TOO NEW | — | 8 | 0 | — | View 2025View→ |
See also: Audi S5accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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