Audi A5 F5 (2016–2024)
Generation-specific owner insights from 18+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2016–2024 A5?
201
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2016–2024
25
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners generally view the F5 A5 as a reliable, enjoyable daily driver when properly maintained, with the EA888 2.0T engine and DSG transmission frequently praised as proven and durable.
15 problems reported (3 recurrent, 12 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentWater pump failure (plastic housing cracking)
- RecurrentEngine mounts failing (around 45k-65k miles)
- RecurrentWater accumulation in side sills (plugged drain ports, sloshing water sound)
+ 12 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedDSG transmission issues (two full repairs on one 2021 example; rough idle/first gear behavior on 2018)
- IsolatedSunroof getting stuck or not opening fully (resolved with reset procedure)
- IsolatedTurn signal stalk making multiple clicking noises
- Isolated360 camera system malfunctioning
- IsolatedOil consumption (one 2019 owner reported a quart every 3k miles, dealer said "within spec")
- IsolatedHeater valve failure and wheel bearings (after warranty on a tuned 2018)
- IsolatedWaste gate failure on turbo (requiring full turbo replacement)
- IsolatedArmrest cracking in the same spot
- IsolatedFront door speakers made from paper-like material
- IsolatedSteering wheel vibration under braking (potential pad or alignment issue)
- IsolatedFan remaining on after engine shutoff (normal DPF regen behavior on diesel models)
- IsolatedFuel pump failure (one 2018 owner, with questionable dealer explanation linking to low coolant)
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Owners discuss both the 2.0T and diesel variants positively, and the S5 is mentioned as a desirable upgrade, but no single trim or engine emerges as a clear consensus pick. The 45 TFSI (2.0T) Sportback is described as a great daily commuter, and the 2.0 TDI is praised for trouble-free high-mileage use.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Kia Stinger, Acura TLX, Lexus IS, BMW 330i and Mazda 3.
Is a 2016–2024 A5 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
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Overall sentiment
Owners generally view the F5 A5 as a reliable, enjoyable daily driver when properly maintained, with the EA888 2.0T engine and DSG transmission frequently praised as proven and durable. The Sportback body style is consistently lauded for its practicality and looks. However, owners repeatedly warn that maintenance costs are high, dealership labor is expensive, and common failure items like water pumps, engine mounts, and control arm bushings will eventually need attention. Early B9 models (2018-2019) have more long-term owner data and are generally described as solid, while later B9.5 models (2021+) are seen as similar in reliability, though the mild hybrid system is noted as an unknown with warranty coverage.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners who cross-shopped the A5 against the Kia Stinger acknowledge the Stinger would be more reliable and cheaper to maintain, but argue the A5 is the "real thing" versus a "cheap plastic imitation." Against the Acura TLX, one owner notes the A5 won't turn more heads and takes a reliability hit for not much gain, while another dismisses that comparison entirely. The BMW 330i is mentioned as a car the A5 replaced, with the owner finding the A5 a better balance. The Mazda 3 comparison comes from an owner noting the A5 Sportback coupe offers similar value at a similar price point.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the 2.0T EA888 Gen 3 engine as a tried-and-true powerplant, with multiple owners reporting 100k+ mile reliability with routine maintenance. The Sportback body style is repeatedly recommended for its practicality. For model years, owners suggest buying CPO for warranty protection, and one owner specifically recommends the 2021+ models for wireless CarPlay. No owner recommends avoiding a specific model year within this generation.
General recommendations
Owners consistently advise keeping up with scheduled maintenance: oil changes, DSG fluid service, spark plugs, and brake fluid flushes: as the key to long-term reliability. Several recommend finding a good independent shop specializing in German cars once the factory warranty expires, as dealership labor is considered overpriced. For used purchases, owners stress getting a pre-purchase inspection, verifying service history, and checking for signs of flood damage or unreported accidents. The 2018 model year has the most owner data, with multiple reports of 90k-175k mile reliability when maintained. Owners recommend budgeting for common failure items like water pumps and engine mounts around the 45k-65k mile mark.
Remarks
Owners of the 2018-2019 model years report the most long-term data, with several exceeding 100k miles without major issues. The 2021 B9.5 models are described as having the same proven drivetrain, with the mild hybrid system being the main unknown. One owner with a 2021 A5 Sportback reported being a "disaster" outlier with two transmission repairs, while another put 90k miles on a 2021 with only routine 10k-mile services. Maintenance cost discussions show owners paying $800 for 40k-mile service at dealers versus significantly less at independent shops, with DIY options available for oil changes, filters, and spark plugs. Analysis based on approximately 18 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2022 | 7 | 2 | tires |
| 2021 | 24 | 5 | unknown or other |
| 2020 | 120 | 4 | electrical system |
| 2019 | 24 | 3 | vehicle speed control |
| 2018 | 9 | 6 | power train |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | engine |
| 2016 | 7 | 3 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2022 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 21V825000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2022 · equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unitcampaign 22V806000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2021 · seat belts:rear/other:retractorcampaign 21V606000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2021 · tirescampaign 22V034000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
2021 · exterior lighting:tail lightscampaign 20V737000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
2021 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
2021 · back over prevention:display functioncampaign 22V742000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2020 · tirescampaign 22V034000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
2020 · exterior lighting:tail lightscampaign 20V737000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
2020 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
2020 · seatscampaign 21V874000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
2019 · tirescampaign 22V034000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
8 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
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.