Audi A5 B10 (2025–2026)
Generation-specific owner insights from 42+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2025–today A5?
18
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2025–2026
2
recall campaigns
forward collision avoidance
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners express overwhelmingly negative sentiment toward the 2025-2026 B10 A5, with many reporting severe software and electrical failures immediately after delivery.
19 problems reported (3 very frequent, 6 recurrent, 10 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentCar completely inoperable with multiple dashboard warning lights and unable to shift into gear
- Very frequent"P not possible" error preventing the car from parking
- Very frequentSoftware update (KD2, TSB2079690) fails to resolve issues, with errors returning after update
+ 16 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentBattery drain requiring trickle charger to maintain functionality
- RecurrentCentral locking failure (unable to open or lock the car)
- RecurrentEmergency braking activation at inappropriate times (roundabout, normal braking distances)
- RecurrentCar refusing to go into reverse
- RecurrentMMI freezing, crashing, home screen icons vanishing
- RecurrentAudi Connect failing to recognize the car / no internet connection
- IsolatedSteering wheel not working at delivery
- IsolatedReversing camera not working
- IsolatedClimate control not working
- IsolatedGPS stops working after battery drains
- IsolatedHatch fails to auto-lift and won't latch
- IsolatedCruise control not working due to "door open" error
- Isolated"Critical danger" stops where car slams on brakes and jams seatbelt
- IsolatedLoose wheel warning appearing erroneously
- IsolatedFuel consumption display showing unrealistic figures
- IsolatedDigital key stopped working
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. No owner recommends any specific trim or engine within the B10 generation. Several owners explicitly advise against buying any B10 Audi at all.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the BMW 3 Series, Lexus ES, Lexus IS, Mazda 6 and Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Is a 2025–2026 A5 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owners express overwhelmingly negative sentiment toward the 2025-2026 B10 A5, with many reporting severe software and electrical failures immediately after delivery. The dominant tone is regret, with multiple owners describing the car as undriveable for weeks or months, and some actively pursuing buybacks. A small minority report that after a software update the car became flawless, but these are far outnumbered by accounts of repeated, unresolved failures. There is no meaningful difference reported between the 2025 and 2026 model years; both are described as suffering from the same core issues.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners who cross-shopped the B10 A5 against BMW and Lexus models express regret for not choosing those alternatives, citing the Audi's severe reliability problems. One owner specifically mentions looking at BMW before choosing the A5 and now regretting it. Another owner considering Lexus ES or IS finds both designs unappealing but still considers them as alternatives due to Audi's failures. The B10 is unfavorably compared to a Mazda 6 in terms of exterior design, with one owner saying Audi "took my Mazda 6 and mixed it with the B9."
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. Owners strongly advise against buying any 2025 or 2026 B10 A5, with multiple comments stating "never buy a first model year" and "do not buy first model year cars." One owner recommends waiting for the second model year or a refresh.
General recommendations
Owners universally recommend avoiding the 2025-2026 B10 A5 entirely. Multiple owners who traded from a B9 or B9.5 A5 strongly advise keeping the older generation instead. Several owners suggest looking for a CPO B9.5 S5 or A5 as a more reliable and better-looking alternative. One owner who works at Audi states the entire B10 lineup is "horrendous" and that a redesign or revamp is expected. Owners also warn against buying any first-year model from any manufacturer, citing post-COVID quality issues.
Remarks
A significant number of owners report that their B10 A5 spent more time in the shop than in their possession during the first months of ownership, with one owner reporting 144 days out of service in the first 150 days. Audi's buyback process is described as extremely difficult, with one owner receiving a full denial on Christmas Eve after the car had been out of service for 144 of the first 150 days. Multiple owners who work at Audi or as technicians confirm the issues are known internally and that a further software update (KD3) is being developed. One owner reports that a control module transplant from a donor vehicle was required to complete a software update. The piano black interior trim is widely criticized as a fingerprint magnet and easily scratched. The haptic steering wheel buttons and lack of physical climate controls are also frequently criticized. Analysis based on approximately 42 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 0 | forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 | 9 | 2 | electrical system |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2025 · seat belts:front:retractorcampaign 25V638000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 GTI, Golf R, Audi A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, S5, S6 Sportback E-Tron, 2026 Q4 Sportback E-Tron, and Q4 E-Tron vehicles. The torsion bar in one or both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
2025 · seat belts:rear/other:retractorcampaign 25V899000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.