Audi A5 years to avoid (and the best years)
215 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls across 7 model years, 2010 to 2020. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 215complaints
- 7recalls
- 5reported crashes
- 3reported fires
- 3reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Audi A5 years should you avoid?
No Audi A5 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Audi A5 year has 28 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2020 (60).
What are the best Audi A5 years?
The Audi A5 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2019 (12), 2012 (22) and 2011 (24). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 60 | 2.1× | 4 | 1 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 12 | 0.4× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Speed control |
| 2014 | 28 | 1.0× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2013 | 35 | 1.2× | 3 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2012 | 22 | 0.8× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 24 | 0.9× | 0 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 34 | 1.2× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 119 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment58 (49%)
- Airbags & seat belts24 (20%)
- Engine & powertrain23 (19%)
- Structure & body6 (5%)
- Steering, suspension & tires4 (3%)
Recalls (7)
Tires · 22V034000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2019, 2020
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V874000 · Nov 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Suspension · 21V295000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 20V737000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2020
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.
Engine · 18V229000 · Apr 2018 · model years 2013, 2014
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 17V622000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Engine · 17V002000 · Jan 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.