Audi S5 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 128 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Audi S5 (2010–2025) that have at least 5 complaints. 2018 has the most, with 26. Across all years, the part named most often is other or unknown (27 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All S5 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 8,577 | 2 | 932 | — | Too new |
| 2020 | 25 | — | 4 | 986 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2019 | 6 | 43,300 | 4 | 875 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 26 | 4,750 | 2 | 819 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2014 | 6 | 47,080 | 0 | 726 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 16 | 79,000 | 0 | 885 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 10 | 70,000 | 1 | 733 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 8 | 65,000 | 1 | 694 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 20 | 58,273 | 0 | 637 | — | Rising |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Other or unknown27 18%
- Transmission and drivetrain26 17%
- Electrical system24 16%
- Engine22 14%
- Air bags22 14%
- Forward collision avoidance12 7.8%
- Back-over prevention (rear camera)12 7.8%
- Lane departure8 5.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2013: “My car went into limp mode where the transmission doesn't engage and come to find out it was the mechatronic unit in the transmission and a very well known problem. The car wouldn't move when I was on a busy road. It said continue to drive but I couldn't. It happened at 65k miles. I had it rebuilt for over $2000 and the car is very well maintained.”
NHTSA complaint #11350133, filed 2020-08, 65,000 miles2011: “While inspecting my 2011 S5 after purchase I noticed that the rear window was detaching from the top. The dealer repaired as a warranty repair. A few years later the top of the convertible roof on the inside started to sag. I can't prove the dealer was at fault but they were the last to work on the convertible roof. The repair is not worth the remaining value of the vehicle and the dealer will not insure the repair more than a year. …”
NHTSA complaint #10948673, filed 2017-01, 75,000 miles2018: “I was driving on a big highway doing about 75mph and all of a sudden for no reason I get a big presense warning flash on my console, then a transmission error, then tire pressure error, then engine malfunction all in a row and my car just totally shuts off and I had to coast over onto the shoulder. I'm honestly just shocked I managed to get to the shoulder without being hit by someone. After I turned the car off and back on it seems to be okay other than the malfunction indicator lamp mil light is still on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289072, filed 2019-12, 14,000 milesOther Audi models
2,893 complaintsAudi A6
1,653 complaintsAudi Q5
1,348 complaintsAudi Q7
1,052 complaintsAudi A3
727 complaintsAudi S4
577 complaintsAudi A5
324 complaintsAudi TT
306 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology