2025 Audi A5 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
scored
Too new for a score. Here is what owners and NHTSA have reported so far.
- Owner complaints
- 20
- Per 10,000 cars
- 22.5
- 8,875 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- –
- Serious outcomes
- 8
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 2
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2025 Audi A5?
It is too early to say for sure. We give a final score after 36 months of complaints, and there is too little data on the 2025 Audi A5 so far for a provisional reading.
The 2024 A5, from the same generation, scored 79 and rated Good. That is a useful guide, not a guarantee.
The most reported problem is the driver-assist camera and radar, mostly works on and off (4 of 20 complaints). Owners also complain about adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. 8 of the 20 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 2 recalls. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
Cons
- Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off4 complaints
- Adaptive cruise control: the system not working when needed2 complaints
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead2 complaints
What Owners Report
We read all 20 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Audi A5, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 20.
Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off
4 complaints (20%)
Problems that come and go and warning lights. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Adaptive cruise control: the system not working when needed
2 complaints (10%)
The system not working when needed and hard braking with nothing ahead. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (10%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Screen and audio: stopped working
2 complaints (10%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (10%)
The system acting on its own. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (10%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (10%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and early wear. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Reported Once (14)
Show the 14 problems reported once
- Uneven tire wear: early wear
- Battery drain: draining the battery
- Instrument cluster: stopped working
- Phone and navigation: stopped working
- Door lock actuators: not opening or unlocking
- Power liftgate: not closing or latching
- Rearview camera: works on and off
- Side blind zone alert: the system acting on its own
- Stall (cause not stated)
- Car not starting (cause not stated)
- Steering: unusual noises
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
- Warning lights (cause not stated)
- Windshield wipers: the system acting on its own
How the 2025 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 This year | 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 | 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 | – |
2025 Audi A5 Recalls
Two recalls cover the 2025 Audi A5. The most recent was issued in December 2025: “Seat Belt Retractor May Fail to Secure Child Seat/FMVSS 208.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Seat Belt Retractor May Fail to Secure Child Seat/FMVSS 208
An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 25V899000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 19, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 79% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Damaged Seat Belt Retractor
In a crash, a damaged torsion bar in a retractor could fail. If this happens, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 25V638000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 24, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 91% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2025 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 2025 A5, from its two recalls and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Seat Belt Retractor May Fail to Secure Child Seat/FMVSS 208 NHTSA 25V899000
- Damaged Seat Belt Retractor NHTSA 25V638000
On the Test Drive
- Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
- Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
- Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Driver-assist camera and radar
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil 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