Audi S5 Reliability

191 NHTSA complaints (2008–2025). Complaint rate: 19.6 per 1,000 vehicles.

Severity Score
28.3
Complaints
191
Crash Rate
2.6%
Fire Rate
0.0%
Injuries
7
Fatalities

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

2020
~50/yr complaints
2018
~40/yr complaints · 4 crashes
2010
~26/yr complaints
2013
~18/yr complaints

Average

2011–2012
~10/yr complaints
2014
~7/yr complaints
2019
~5/yr complaints

Better Years

2022–2023
~3/yr complaints
2015–2016
~4/yr complaints
2008
~3/yr complaints

Too New

2024–2025
10 complaints so far

Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.

Looking at a specific Audi S5?

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

Audi S5 — Complaints by Model YearPeak: 2020 (50)
014294357200820102011201220132014201520162018201920202022202320242025

Common Audi S5 Problems

Most reported component complaints to NHTSA

ComponentComplaintsCrash %
UNKNOWN OR OTHER263.8%
AIR BAGS254.0%
POWER TRAIN254.0%
ENGINE220.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM210.0%
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS100.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM80.0%
STEERING70.0%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING50.0%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)50.0%

Year-by-Year Breakdown

NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.

YearGenerationComplaintsCrashesFiresDetails
2008GOOD30View
2010AVOID260View
201190View
2012100View
2013AVOID180View
201470View
2015GOOD40View
2016GOOD30View
2018AVOID404View
201950View
2020AVOID500View
2022GOOD20View
2023GOOD31View
2024TOO NEW20View
2025TOO NEW80View

See also: Audi S5accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.

Buying a Audi S5?

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Audi S5 Years to Avoid (2008–2025) — Reliability, Problems & Best Years to Buy | VinItel