Audi A5 B10 (2024–2026)
Generation-specific owner insights from 42+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2024–today A5?
26
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2024–2026
2
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners express overwhelmingly negative sentiment toward the B10 A5, with many reporting severe software and electrical failures immediately after delivery.
18 problems reported (2 very frequent, 6 recurrent, 10 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentCar completely inoperable with multiple dashboard warning lights
Unable to shift into gear, and doors unable to open from inside.
- Very frequentSoftware update (KD2, TSB2079690) fails to resolve issues, with errors returning within days
- Recurrent"P Not Possible" error preventing the car from being put into Park
+ 15 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentDrivetrain malfunction / powertrain error messages
- RecurrentBattery drains slowly over days/weeks
Causing hatch to stop auto-lifting, GPS failure, and eventual dead battery.
- RecurrentEmergency braking system activates unexpectedly at normal braking distances
- RecurrentAudi Connect fails to recognize the car / no internet connection
- RecurrentMMI freezing, icons vanishing, home screen crashing
- IsolatedCar slams on brakes and jams seatbelt with "critical danger" stops
- IsolatedCentral locking faults
Unable to open or lock the car.
- IsolatedCruise control fails with "door is open" error
- IsolatedSteering wheel not working at delivery
- IsolatedReversing camera intermittent
- IsolatedClimate control stops working
- IsolatedLoose wheel warning appearing erroneously
- IsolatedVehicle refuses to go into reverse
- IsolatedDigital key stops working
- IsolatedBoot/trunk does not always lock
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. No owner recommends any specific trim or engine of the B10 A5 over another; the only positive mentions of an A5/S5 within the discussions refer to the previous B9/B9.5 generation.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the BMW 3 Series, Lexus ES, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz CLA and Porsche Macan (as loaner).
Is a 2024–2026 A5 right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owners express overwhelmingly negative sentiment toward the B10 A5, with many reporting severe software and electrical failures immediately after delivery. The dominant experience is one of deep regret, with multiple owners describing cars that were inoperable within days or weeks, spending months at dealerships without resolution. A small minority report that after initial software updates or battery replacements, the car has been trouble-free, but these voices are far outnumbered by those describing a "nightmare" ownership experience. There is no meaningful distinction between early and late model years in the discussions, as 2025 and 2026 examples both exhibit the same core issues.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners who cross-shopped BMW and Lexus express that they chose the B10 A5 for its driving dynamics and features, but now regret that decision due to reliability problems. One owner notes that the B10's interior reminds them of a Mazda 6, which is not intended as a compliment. Several owners who received Porsche loaners (Macan) while their A5 was in service report enjoying those vehicles more, suggesting Audi's own corporate stable offers a superior experience. No owner states that the B10 A5 is positioned favorably against any competitor in terms of overall satisfaction.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. Owners universally advise against buying or leasing any B10-generation Audi at this time, with one explicitly stating: "Strongly discourage from leasing or buying any of B10 affected Audi's at this time until all SW is resolved."
General recommendations
Owners strongly recommend avoiding the 2024-2026 B10 A5 entirely, with multiple warnings to "never buy a first model year car." Several owners who traded in a B9 or B9.5 A5 for the B10 express deep regret and advise others to keep the previous generation. One owner who successfully had Audi buy back their car recommends pursuing a B9.5 S5 instead. One owner advises keeping the car locked when parked to prevent battery drain from the keyless system constantly searching for the key.
Remarks
The discussions reveal an unusually high concentration of severe, recurring failures across multiple owners, with some cars spending over 120 of their first 150 days in service. One owner reports that Audi USA denied a buyback request on Christmas Eve after the car had been out of service for 144 of the first 150 days. A dealer technician in the discussions confirms that a new software update (KD3) is being developed for situations where KD2 has not fixed the issues. The root cause appears to be a combination of software bugs and, in some cases, defective hardware modules (thermal management control unit, brake system control module) that software updates cannot address. One owner who works in preproduction notes that 12V battery connections are often not tightened properly at the factory. The discussions also contain extensive criticism of the B10's interior design: piano black trim, capacitive touch buttons, lack of physical controls, and cheap-feeling materials: though these are secondary to the reliability complaints. 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 |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 | 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.