Avoid: 2020, 2011, 2010 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2017 (few owner reports)
15 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 18 model years, the Audi A5 has 493 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 44 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags. 2020 drew the most complaints (120), 2017 the fewest of the years on the road 3+ years (2).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Audi A5 vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $13,405–$37,676.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2020 | 120 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2011 | 62 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2008 | 5 |
Highest: 2020 (120 complaints). Lowest: 2017 (2).
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation. For the B9/B9.5 generation (approximately 2017-2024 models), feedback is overwhelmingly positive.
Phantom alerts, SOS connectivity loss, infotainment crashes).
Owner insights cover all generations of the A5. Individual model years are broken down above.
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