2019 Audi S5: common problems and reliability
· F5One of the weaker S5 years.
12 owner complaints, most about engine. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2019 S5?The 2019 Audi S5 has 12 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag rocker arm defect on 2017-2018 and early 2019 builds leading to potential catastrophic engine failure.
Safety record for the 2019 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 Audi S5 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S5 years only. How we score it
Is 2019 a good year for the S5?
Across the 16 S5 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2022) to 52 (2018). With 12 complaints, the 2019 S5 sits about the same as the model's median of 10.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2019 S5
tires
Campaign 22V034000Volkswagen 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.
suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
Campaign 21V295000Volkswagen 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.
seats
Campaign 21V874000Volkswagen 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.
suspension:front:shock absorber
Campaign 19V114000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Q7, Q8, S5 Cabriolet, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The front shock absorber forks may develop cracks allowing the shock absorbers to loosen.
What owners report on the F5 S5
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.
- Very frequentRocker arm defect on 2017-2018 and early 2019 builds leading to potential catastrophic engine failure
- Very frequentMMI software bugs, random reboots, and connectivity failures including Bluetooth and CarPlay
- RecurrentWater pump failure
- RecurrentThermostat housing cracking
- RecurrentPCV valve failure
Owner insights for the F5 S5. Read the full F5 owner report.
Other S5 model years
Compare every S5 year side by side to see how 2019 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S5 against its rivals
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