2021 Audi A5 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 7th of 16 A5 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 11
- 2 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 4.8
- 18,826 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 0.36×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 4
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 5
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2021 Audi A5?
Yes. Our reliability score for the 2021 Audi A5 is 81 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 7th of the 16 A5 years we score.
The most reported problem is the transmission, mostly failure or loss of drive (3 of 11 complaints). 4 of the 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 5 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, emissions system and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 64 and the 2022 scores 80.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Excellent reliability score of 81
- About a third of the problems of the average car its age
- Recent complaints at or below average
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
Cons
- Transmission: failure or loss of drive3 complaints
How the 2021 A5 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 0.37× | −6 |
| Everyday problems | 0.34× | −2 |
| Problems in the last two years | 0.42× | −5 |
| Recalls | 1.2× | −6 |
| Score | 81 |
What Owners Report
We read all 11 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Audi A5, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
3 complaints (27%)
Failure or loss of drive. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Reported Once (6)
Show the 6 problems reported once
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
- Screen and audio: works on and off
- Instrument cluster: stopped working
- Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off
- Rearview camera: works on and off
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
How the 2021 Audi A5 Compares With Other Years
The other A5 years of the 2nd generation, 2018 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new | – | – | 16.7 | 0 | – |
| 2025 | Not scored | – | – | 22.5 | 2 | Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off |
| 2024 | Good | 79 | 0.58× | 3.7 | 0 | A/C: stopped working |
| 2023 | Excellent | 83 | 0.38× | 2.8 | 1 | Tires: parts breaking or coming apart |
| 2022 | Excellent | 80 | 0.44× | 5.1 | 3 | Tires: parts breaking or coming apart |
| 2021 This year | Excellent | 81 | 0.36× | 4.8 | 5 | Transmission: failure or loss of drive |
| 2020 | Caution | 64 | 3.6× | 114.4 | 4 | Screen and audio: works on and off |
| 2019 | Excellent | 83 | 0.29× | 6.6 | 6 | Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead |
| 2018 | Good | 75 | 0.56× | 13.9 | 8 | Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking |
| 2017 | Not scored | – | – | 6.2 | 3 | – |
2021 Audi A5 Recalls
Five recalls cover the 2021 Audi A5. The most recent was issued in October 2022: “Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V742000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 5, 2022. By the third quarter of 2024, 93% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V034000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 26, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208
The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 21V606000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 5, 2021. By the second quarter of 2023, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V295000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Light Wiring Harness Missing Scuff Protection
Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 20V737000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 25, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2021 Audi A5 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2021 Audi A5, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, emissions system and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
- The problem:
- The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
- The problem:
- The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-06
EVAP purge valve or hose failure
- The problem:
- The EVAP purge valve or its hose can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the EVAP purge valve and hose and replaces them for free if they failed from a defect.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2019 to 2024 S6, S7 and RS5 with the 2.9 or 3.0 TFSI V6. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 15 years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
- The problem:
- The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
- Coverage:
- Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2021 A5 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
Sportback 4-door AWD
RS 5 Sportback 4-door AWD and S5 Sportback 4-door AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2021 A5, from its five recalls, four Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 22V742000
- Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA 22V034000
- Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208 NHTSA 21V606000
- Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break NHTSA 21V295000
- Rear Light Wiring Harness Missing Scuff Protection NHTSA 20V737000
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
- AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
- AWA-23-06: EVAP purge valve or hose failure
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Transmission
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next