Audi Reliability Ratings: Every Model Ranked

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Thinking about a used Audi? Choose in two steps. First pick the model that fits you, then open its page to find the best years to buy and the years to skip.

We rate each model on the problems its owners reported to NHTSA, compared with the average car of the same age. Here are the 12 Audi models we cover, best first. The Q3 leads with 81, and the Q8 trails with 65. 70 is average.

Overall score for each Audi modelOne number per model, from all of its rated years. 70 is average for a car of the same age.

Q3
81
A5
79
A4
76
Q5
74
e-tron
73
A6
72
Q7
71
A7
71
A3
71
TT
71
A8
70
Q8
65

Dashed line: 70, the average for a car of the same age.

Audi Models: Best Years and Years to Avoid

Every rated year of each model, by rating. Tap a model for its full page.

Audi Q3

2015–2026 · 10 rated years · 241 complaints

Excellent

Its strongest stretch is 2015 to 2024, where every year rates Good or Excellent.

Excellent: 2017–2018, 2021, 2023
Good: 2015–2016, 2019–2020, 2022, 2024
Caution: None
Avoid: None

Audi A5

2008–2026 · 16 rated years · 555 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2008 to 2016, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2020 had the most problems for their age, led by the screen and audio.

Excellent: 2009, 2011–2012, 2015–2016, 2019, 2021–2023
Good: 2008, 2010, 2013–2014, 2018, 2024
Caution: 2020
Avoid: None

Audi A4

2000–2025 · 24 rated years · 3,221 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2007 to 2019, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2000, 2003 and 2020 had the most problems for their age, led by the ABS.

Excellent: 2011–2012, 2015–2019, 2021
Good: 2007–2010, 2013–2014, 2022–2023
Caution: 2000–2006, 2020
Avoid: None

Audi Q5

2009–2026 · 16 rated years · 1,567 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2009 to 2020, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2021 had the most problems for their age, led by the control module.

Excellent: 2017
Good: 2009–2016, 2018–2020, 2022–2024
Caution: 2021
Avoid: None

Audi e-tron

2019–2023 · 4 rated years · 178 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2021 to 2023, where every year rates Good or Excellent.

Excellent: None
Good: 2019, 2021–2023
Caution: None
Avoid: None

Audi A6

2000–2026 · 22 rated years · 1,365 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2004 to 2012, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2019 to 2021 had the most problems for their age, led by the alternator or charging system.

Excellent: 2010, 2017–2018
Good: 2001, 2004–2009, 2011–2012, 2014–2016
Caution: 2000, 2002–2003, 2013, 2019–2021
Avoid: None

Audi Q7

2007–2026 · 16 rated years · 1,065 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2011 to 2015, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2017, 2020 and 2021 had the most problems for their age, led by the exterior bulbs or DRL.

Excellent: 2015, 2019
Good: 2007–2009, 2011–2014, 2018, 2023
Caution: 2010, 2017, 2020–2022
Avoid: None

Audi A7

2012–2026 · 8 rated years · 212 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2015 to 2018, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2013, 2014 and 2019 had the most problems for their age, led by the turbocharger.

Excellent: 2018
Good: 2012, 2015–2017
Caution: 2013–2014
Avoid: 2019

Audi A3

2006–2026 · 16 rated years · 1,003 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2016 to 2020, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2009 to 2011 had the most problems for their age, led by the dual-clutch transmission.

Excellent: None
Good: 2007, 2012–2013, 2016–2020, 2022–2023
Caution: 2006, 2008–2009, 2011, 2015
Avoid: 2010

Audi TT

2000–2023 · 9 rated years · 329 complaints

Good

Its best years are the 2003, 2005 and 2008. The 2000, 2004 and 2009 had the most problems for their age, led by the instrument cluster.

Excellent: None
Good: 2002–2003, 2005, 2008, 2016
Caution: 2000–2001, 2004, 2009
Avoid: None

Audi A8

2000–2026 · 12 rated years · 271 complaints

Good

Its strongest stretch is 2004 to 2007, where every year rates Good or Excellent. The 2013 to 2015 had the most problems for their age, led by the turbocharger.

Excellent: 2006–2007
Good: 2004–2005, 2011–2012, 2016–2017
Caution: 2014–2015, 2019
Avoid: 2013

Audi Q8

2019–2026 · 5 rated years · 199 complaints

Caution

Its best years are the 2022 and 2023. The 2019 to 2021 had the most problems for their age, led by the alternator or charging system.

Excellent: None
Good: 2022–2023
Caution: 2019–2021
Avoid: None

Common Audi Problems

The problems Audi owners report most, across all 12 models, out of 10,206 complaints filed with NHTSA. We read every one of them.

Steering. Most often sticking or stiffness
485 complaints (5%)
Most reported on the 2013 A4, 2014 A4 and 2014 Q5.
Headlights. Most often working only some of the time
480 complaints (5%)
Most reported on the 2006 A4, 2005 A4 and 2002 A4.
Cooling system. Most often a leak
424 complaints (4%)
Most reported on the 2017 Q7, 2017 A4 and 2015 A3.
Screen and audio. Most often working only some of the time
384 complaints (4%)
Most reported on the 2020 A4, 2020 A5 and 2007 Q7.
Instrument cluster. Most often not working
320 complaints (3%)
Most reported on the 2001 TT, 2001 A4 and 2000 A4.
High oil consumption. Most often burning or using oil
317 complaints (3%)
Most reported on the 2012 Q5, 2017 Q7 and 2010 A4.
Brakes. Most often loss of braking
262 complaints (3%)
Most reported on the 2000 A4, 2001 A4 and 2018 Q7.
Fuel pump. Most often stalling
258 complaints (3%)
Most reported on the 2004 A4, 2003 A4 and 2010 Q5.

What to Do Next

Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare Model Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.