Generation-specific owner insights from 148+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2016–2024 S5?120
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2016–2024
17
recall campaigns
unknown or other
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2016-2024 F5 S5 generally adore the car, calling it one of the most striking cars on the road and praising its driving dynamics, interior quality, and the strong turbocharged 3.0 V6 paired with the ZF 8-speed transmission.
20 problems reported (2 very frequent, 13 recurrent, 5 isolated) · high confidence
Owners consistently recommend 2019 and newer models, citing the revised rocker arms that were updated in mid-2018 production. The 2019+ model years are described as "good to go" regarding the rocker arm issue. The 2020 S5 is also praised, though its MMI software issues are noted. Owners generally favor the turbocharged 3.0 V6 (EA839) paired with the ZF 8-speed transmission as a reliable and strong combination.
Owners compare it most often with the BMW 435/M4, Mercedes-AMG C43/C63, Genesis (G70), Tesla and Audi S4.
Is a 2016–2024 S5 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the 2016-2024 F5 S5 generally adore the car, calling it one of the most striking cars on the road and praising its driving dynamics, interior quality, and the strong turbocharged 3.0 V6 paired with the ZF 8-speed transmission. The most common criticisms center on the MMI infotainment system, which owners describe as buggy, underpowered, and frustrating, particularly regarding Audi Connect and connectivity features. Early model years (2017-2018, and some early 2019 builds) carry a well-known rocker arm defect that owners strongly warn about, while later model years are considered sorted and reliable. Maintenance and repair costs are consistently described as expensive, but owners accept this as part of German performance car ownership.
Owners position the S5 as a strong balance between sport and luxury, with a nicer interior than the BMW but not as luxurious as the Mercedes. Some owners find the BMW more sporty and the Mercedes more tech-focused, while the S5 walks the line between the two. The S5 is described as a direct competitor to the C43 AMG and 435 Sport rather than the M4 or C63. Owners also note the S5 is extremely tunable. Some cross-shoppers considered the Genesis as a great car but concluded it is no Audi.
Owners recommend sticking with 2019 or newer to avoid the rocker arm defect. The ZF 8-speed transmission is highly regarded, with owners noting it has a 45,000-mile service interval per ZF's own manual, even though Audi calls it lifetime. Owners suggest getting the sport differential and recommend the 19-inch wheels over the 20-inch low-profile tires, which are prone to pothole damage and frequent flats. The Prestige trim with Black Optics is mentioned favorably. Owners advise changing oil every 5,000 to 7,000 miles rather than the factory 10,000-mile interval, and flushing brake fluid every two years.
This generation is recommended for buyers who want a striking, luxurious, and sporty daily driver and are prepared for higher maintenance costs. Buyers should prioritize 2019 and newer models to avoid the rocker arm issue, or verify that a 2018 has had the updated rockers installed. A pre-purchase inspection by someone familiar with these cars is strongly advised, along with a full scan using VAG-COM or OBDEleven. Owners recommend checking maintenance records, verifying the water pump, thermostat, PCV, and motor mounts, and confirming the transmission has been serviced. Buyers should avoid cars with poor maintenance history or accident records. The car is not recommended as a first car due to its power.
Owners frequently note that the S5 is mechanically identical to the S4, sharing the same engine and transmission. The ZF 8-speed transmission is widely praised for its reliability and high power handling limits. Many owners emphasize that maintenance costs are high but predictable, with dealer service being significantly more expensive than independent shops. The 2018 model year is repeatedly flagged as the riskiest due to the rocker arm defect, while 2019 and newer are considered much safer. Owners also note that the car's low-profile tires on larger wheels are a recurring source of expense. Analysis based on approximately 148 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | air bags |
| 2022 | 1 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2021 | 2 | 5 | suspension |
| 2020 | 50 | 4 | electrical system |
| 2019 | 12 | 4 | engine |
| 2018 | 52 | 2 | engine |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | steering |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
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 · 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.
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.
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.
2 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.