2015 A5
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Brakes: vibration or shudder15%
- Per 10k cars
- 7.6
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 3
Audi A5 Reliability Rankings: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Audi A5 years to buy are the 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021 to 2023. The 2015 scores highest, at 88 out of 100.
No A5 year rates Avoid, but the 2020 needs a careful look. Owners of the 2020 most often report the screen and audio, mostly working only some of the time.
Want something recent? Of the A5s from 2018 on, the 2018, 2019 and 2021 to 2024 rate Good or Excellent. Watch out for the 2020. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
Looking at older A5s, from before 2018? The 2008 to 2016 rate Good or Excellent. The 2017 has too little data to score.
79
Good
Model score, all years
19
Model years tracked
555
Owner complaints
28
Recalls, all years
Caution1 year
Avoid0 years
No A5 year is rated Avoid.
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score. Not enough data to score: 2017.
Excellent 80+Good 70–79Caution 60–69Avoid under 60 Provisional, with 80% range 70 = average for a car of the same age
Best Years to Buy an Audi A5
Nine A5 years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2015 leads with 88.
88
2016 A5
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Loss of power (cause not stated)25%
- Steering: fault code25%
- Per 10k cars
- 6.8
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 3
2009 A5
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Cooling system: a leak18%
- Engine: stalling18%
- Per 10k cars
- 12.5
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 1
2023 A5
2nd generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart27%
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead18%
- Per 10k cars
- 2.8
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 1
2019 A5
2nd generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead19%
- Cooling system failure10%
- Steering failure10%
- Per 10k cars
- 6.6
- Complaints
- 21
- Recalls
- 6
2012 A5
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Cooling system: a leak9%
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil7%
- Piston rings: burning or using oil4%
- Turbocharger failure4%
- Per 10k cars
- 13.1
- Complaints
- 46
- Recalls
- 3
2021 A5
2nd generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Transmission: failure or loss of drive27%
- Per 10k cars
- 4.8
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 5
2011 A5
1st generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil10%
- Transmission: a loss of power8%
- Convertible top rear window: parts breaking or coming apart6%
- Timing chain or camshaft failure6%
- Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights6%
- Airbag warning light failure4%
- Per 10k cars
- 17.0
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 3
2022 A5
2nd generation
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart50%
- Per 10k cars
- 5.1
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 3
Also rated Good: 2008, 2010, 2013–2014, 2018, 2024.
Audi A5 Years to Avoid
No A5 year rates Avoid. The 2020 is the only A5 year rated Caution, with a score of 64.
2020 A5
2nd generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Screen and audio: works on and off85%
- Phone and navigation failure12%
- Per 10k cars
- 114.4
- Complaints
- 85
- Recalls
- 4
Audi extended the warranty on some 2020 A5s for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems.
Full 2020 report →The Newest A5 Years: 2025–2026
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
2025 A5
Too new20 complaints and 2 recalls so far.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 79 (Good).
What we know so far →
2026 A5
Too new2 complaints and 0 recalls so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
What we know so far →Audi A5 Reliability by Year
All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Audi programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3rd generation(first year) | Too new | – | – | 2 | 16.7 | 0 | Report |
| 2025 | 2nd generation | Not enough data | – | – | 20 | 22.5 | 2 | Report |
| 2024 | 2nd generation | Good | 79 | 0.58× | 10 | 3.7 | 0 | Report |
| 2023 | 2nd generation | Excellent | 83 | 0.38× | 11 | 2.8 | 1 | Report |
| 2022 | 2nd generation | Excellent | 80 | 0.44× | 8 | 5.1 | 3 | Report |
| 2021 | 2nd generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.36× | 11 | 4.8 | 5 | Report |
| 2020 | 2nd generation | Caution | 64 | 3.6× | 85 | 114.4 | 4 | Report |
| 2019 | 2nd generation | Excellent | 83 | 0.29× | 21 | 6.6 | 6 | Report |
| 2018 | 2nd generation(first year) | Good | 75 | 0.56× | 65 | 13.9 | 8 | Report |
| 2017 | 1st generation | Not enough data | – | – | 2 | 6.2 | 3 | Report |
| 2016 | 1st generation | Excellent | 86 | 0.27× | 8 | 6.8 | 3 | Report |
| 2015 | 1st generation | Excellent | 88 | 0.21× | 13 | 7.6 | 3 | Report |
| 2014 | 1st generation | Good | 76 | 0.51× | 40 | 17.8 | 3 | Report |
| 2013 | 1st generation | Good | 73 | 0.70× | 64 | 24.4 | 3 | Report |
| 2012 | 1st generation | Excellent | 82 | 0.39× | 46 | 13.1 | 3 | Report |
| 2011 | 1st generation | Excellent | 80 | 0.44× | 52 | 17.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2010 | 1st generation | Good | 73 | 0.87× | 78 | 32.1 | 2 | Report |
| 2009 | 1st generation | Excellent | 85 | 0.33× | 11 | 12.5 | 1 | Report |
| 2008 | 1st generation | Good | 77 | 0.66× | 8 | 22.2 | 1 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Audi made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Audi's own model history.
How We Score Each Model Year
1
Count What Owners Report
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
2
Adjust for How Many Were Made
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Audi made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
3
Turn It Into a Score
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.
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 A5 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.