Audi S5 B10 (2024–2026)
Generation-specific owner insights from 116+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
14
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2024–2026
2
recall campaigns
forward collision avoidance
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the B10 S5 is sharply divided.
19 problems reported (4 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 10 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentDead or defective battery causing total power loss and multiple warning lights
- Very frequentCascading dashboard warning lights and error messages across safety
Brake, steering, and parking systems.
- Very frequentCheck engine light recurring repeatedly, sometimes returning within 30 feet of being cleared
+ 16 more issuesShow fewer
- Very frequentSoftware and MMI faults including black screens, unresponsive systems, and failed updates
- RecurrentVehicle failing to start, unlock, or lock, sometimes requiring multiple attempts
- RecurrentDriver assistance and pre-sense systems falsely activating
Including sudden braking and seatbelt tightening with no obstacle present.
- RecurrentDriver assistance and safety features shutting down in rain or poor conditions
- RecurrentInterior rattles and cheap-feeling plastics
- RecurrentReduced virtual cockpit customization and lack of full-screen maps
- IsolatedTransmission overheating leading to limp mode and refusal to engage
- IsolatedValvetronic exhaust flap rattle and valves failing to open in Dynamic mode
- IsolatedAir conditioning failure
- IsolatedRearview camera failure
- IsolatedTrunk or boot hatch failing to open or opening at half height
- IsolatedCarPlay dropping connection, temporarily resolved via privacy settings
- IsolatedClock resetting by an hour
- IsolatedParking sensors over-sensitive or failing to detect obstacles
- IsolatedAlarm sounding randomly on its own
- IsolatedSteering vibration requiring factory diagnostic equipment to investigate
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The partial signal is that later builds are preferred: owners repeatedly advise waiting for the 2026 model with newer software, and one owner who had both a 2025 and knowledge of the 2026 said the 2026 has "a completely different software version" and would be supported longer. Owners of 2025 cars that received the KD2 update report the car is "about 90% where it needs to be."
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the BMW M440i, BMW X3 M50, BMW 8 Series, Mercedes-Benz (unspecified) and Lexus.
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Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment for the B10 S5 is sharply divided. A vocal and heavily represented group reports severe, repeated electrical and software failures: dead batteries, cascading warning lights, check engine lights, transmission limp mode, and cars immobilized at dealerships for weeks or months: with several owners pursuing buybacks or lemon law claims. A smaller but consistent group reports being very happy, citing strong driving dynamics, striking looks, and no problems at all, and several note that the KD2 software update resolved many of the worst issues. Early 2025 builds appear most troubled, while owners of later 2025 and 2026 builds more often report fewer or no problems, though some 2026 owners still report failures. A recurring theme is frustration with Audi corporate communication and slow parts/software availability rather than the car's fundamental design.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners who gave up on the B10 frequently moved to BMW, with one stating they bought an 8 Series and were "done with Audi," and another reporting a new M440i was "much, much better." One owner noted a spouse's BMW X3 M50 "actually feels faster than my S5, has no issues" and has over-the-air updates Audi has not managed. Others considering an exit mentioned Mercedes-Benz and Lexus as alternatives. Within the brand's own lineup, owners cross-shopped the S5 against the SQ5 and S7, and several noted those models share the same software problems. A few owners compared the B10 unfavorably in looks to the previous-generation S5, and one noted the B10 is effectively a sedan replacement for the former coupe.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. Owners mention Prestige and Premium Plus trims and the TFSI quattro powertrain, but no configuration consensus emerges. One owner praised a Daytona Grey with Black Pack and black optics spec, and another was pleased with a white-on-beige Premium Plus, but these are individual preferences rather than recommendations.
General recommendations
Owners advise that anyone buying this generation should insist on the latest software update being applied before delivery and should confirm which software version the car is running, since the KD2 update resolved many issues for 2025 cars. Multiple owners recommend the 2026 model over the 2025 given its newer software, or waiting entirely. Owners strongly advise documenting every defect in writing, requesting service documentation for each visit, refusing "safe to drive" hand-offs in writing, keeping all service orders and tow slips, and not letting the car accumulate mileage if a buyback may be pursued. Several owners recommend contacting Audi corporate directly to open a case, and some recommend filing a complaint with NHTSA. One owner cautioned that a new platform's first batches are bound to have issues and that satisfied owners are simply less likely to post. Buyers should verify the battery health and software version, and test all driver assistance, camera, locking, and climate functions before accepting delivery.
Remarks
Several owners report that the KD2 software update fixed a large share of their issues, and owners are awaiting a further update. Some owners report the 2026 software will not be made available to 2025 models. Multiple owners describe being told by dealership staff that cars cannot be fixed and that a pending software solution may not arrive until late in the year. A number of owners report Audi buyback reviews taking 60 days or longer, and some have retained attorneys. One owner reported a dealership service technician declining to log a visit, which the owner interpreted as an attempt to avoid lemon law liability. Owners consistently praise individual dealerships for effort while criticizing Audi corporate responsiveness. Analysis based on approximately 116 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | service brakes |
| 2025 | 11 | 2 | lane departure |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | air bags |
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.