Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2023.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 S5 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 S5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 S5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2022 S5 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021 S5 | 1 | 5 |
| 2020 S5 | 25 | 4 |
| 2019 S5 | 6 | 4 |
| 2018 S5 | 26 | 2 |
| 2017 S5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 S5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 S5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 S5 | 6 | 0 |
| 2013 S5 | 16 | 0 |
| 2012 S5 | 10 | 1 |
| 2011 S5 | 8 | 1 |
| 2010 S5 | 20 | 0 |
| 2009 S5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 S5 | 3 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Unknown or other27
- Power train27
- Electrical system26
- Air bags25
- Engine24
- Forward collision avoidance14
- Back over prevention12
- Lane departure9
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 35 S5 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 24 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 9 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 4 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 11 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 AUDI S5 4 DR N/A AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Audi S5 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 19 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 9.7–12.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | S5 Sedan quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.0 | 8.1 | 10.2 |
| 2025 | S5 Coupé quattro · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 8.1 | 9.7 |
| 2024 | S5 Coup quattro · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.1 | 8.1 | 9.7 |
| 2023 | S5 Coup quattro · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.1 | 8.0 | 9.7 |
| 2022 | S5 Coupe quattro · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.1 | 8.0 | 9.7 |
| 2021 | S5 Coupe quattro · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.5 | 8.5 | 10.1 |
| 2020 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.8 | 8.9 | 10.5 |
| 2019 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.3 | 8.0 | 9.8 |
| 2018 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 11.5 | 8.0 | 9.9 |
| 2017 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 13.0 | 8.5 | 11.0 |
| 2016 | S5 quattro · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 13.0 | 8.5 | 11.0 |
| 2015 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 13.0 | 8.5 | 11.0 |
| 2014 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 9.2 | 11.4 |
| 2013 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 9.1 | 11.4 |
| 2012 | S5 Coupe · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 10.5 | 12.6 |
| 2011 | S5 Coupe · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 10.5 | 12.6 |
| 2010 | S5 Coupe · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 10.5 | 12.6 |
| 2009 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 10.5 | 12.6 |
| 2008 | S5 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 10.5 | 12.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
1,000 S5 cars are on the New Zealand register; 35% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 2025 | 63 | 63 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2021 | 15 | 14 | 1 |
| 2020 | 22 | 20 | 2 |
| 2019 | 42 | 33 | 9 |
| 2018 | 63 | 48 | 15 |
| 2017 | 117 | 79 | 34 |
| 2016 | 24 | 13 | 9 |
| 2015 | 36 | 25 | 11 |
| 2014 | 56 | 28 | 25 |
| 2013 | 63 | 33 | 30 |
| 2012 | 69 | 39 | 27 |
| 2011 | 73 | 32 | 39 |
| 2010 | 85 | 42 | 39 |
| 2009 | 82 | 31 | 43 |
| 2008 | 107 | 36 | 64 |
| 2007 | 22 | 18 | 3 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
689 S5 cars are on Dutch roads; 69% arrived later as imports, and 84 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | €108,610 |
| 2025 | 82 | €112,115 |
| 2017 | 54 | €101,016 |
| 2016 | 20 | €100,938 |
| 2013 | 22 | €88,046 |
| 2012 | 34 | €91,323 |
| 2011 | 55 | €93,871 |
| 2010 | 92 | €94,256 |
| 2009 | 72 | €102,121 |
| 2008 | 131 | €95,234 |
| 2007 | 106 | €87,242 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
184 S5 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 100% petrol, 0% diesel; 4% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | — |
| 2017 | 12 | 112,000 km |
| 2016 | 7 | 114,000 km |
| 2012 | 12 | 193,000 km |
| 2011 | 19 | 209,000 km |
| 2010 | 38 | 215,000 km |
| 2009 | 23 | 207,000 km |
| 2008 | 28 | 201,000 km |
| 2007 | 37 | 195,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 208 S5 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 7 of those collisions were fatal and 41 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | 1 | 12 |
| 2024 | 24 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 | 47 | 3 | 14 |
| 2022 | 43 | 0 | 3 |
| 2021 | 51 | 1 | 9 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
11,345 S5 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 740 | 18 |
| 2024 | 140 | 1 |
| 2023 | 217 | 4 |
| 2022 | 250 | 1 |
| 2021 | 193 | — |
| 2020 | 257 | 1 |
| 2019 | 79 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2,225 | 42 |
| 2017 | 3,263 | 107 |
| 2016 | 745 | 15 |
| 2015 | 694 | 20 |
| 2014 | 390 | 18 |
| 2013 | 288 | 18 |
| 2012 | 215 | 39 |
| 2011 | 457 | 71 |
| 2010 | 471 | 102 |
| 2009 | 101 | 47 |
| 2008 | 360 | 179 |
| 2007 | 260 | 141 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
1,584 S5 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 80% passed first time, against 65% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 251 | 86% |
| 2013 | 118 | 88% |
| 2012 | 150 | 82% |
| 2011 | 216 | 80% |
| 2010 | 288 | 80% |
| 2009 | 157 | 75% |
| 2008 | 280 | 78% |
| 2007 | 124 | 74% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | S5 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.7% | 7.0% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.9% | 15.1% |
| Suspension | 4.9% | 12.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.0% | 4.0% |
| Brakes | 2.6% | 8.4% |
| Visibility | 1.8% | 5.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.3% | 4.6% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.9% | 0.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
17,734 new Audi S5 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (72), Italy (6), France (5).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 90 | 187 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 54 | 187 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 406 | 184 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 135 | 183 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 3,034 | 175 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 4,933 | 172 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1,359 | — |
| 2015 | 985 | — |
| 2014 | 754 | — |
| 2013 | 763 | — |
| 2012 | 744 | — |
| 2011 | 1,927 | — |
| 2010 | 2,550 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the S5 in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.
In certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail. Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
14 campaigns cover the S5; the latest 12 are below.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 GTI, Golf R, Audi A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, S5, S6 Sportback E-Tron, 2026 Q4 Sportback E-Tron, and Q4 E-Tron vehicles. The torsion bar in one or both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen 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.
Volkswagen 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Volkswagen 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
NHTSA recalls