2021 Audi A5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2021 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 35 out of 8 complaints and 5 recalls, ranking 12th worst out of 18 model years — a Good verdict relative to other A5 years. Electrical System issues are the top problem area, at 25% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #12 of 18 A5 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2021 Audi A5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (25%)
- Other2 (25%)
- Airbags1 (13%)
- Engine1 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (13%)
- Structure & Body1 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles lost all power at low speed after shifting from reverse to drive, with warning lights coming on and the car unable to restart.
- The instrument panel flickered on and off before going completely dark while driving at 35 MPH, requiring replacement.
- Automatic braking (Audi pre sense) triggered hard, unnecessary braking events that owners say nearly caused accidents.
- The passenger airbag indicator cycled on and off regardless of whether a passenger was seated, traced to a failed sensor mat.
- Transmission stopped shifting gears mid-drive, prompting an instruction to pull over immediately in an unsafe location.
- Engine bucking occurred at low speeds followed by a transmission malfunction warning that advised against continued driving.
2021 Audi A5 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V742000Oct 5, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras170,296 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
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."
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
- NHTSA 22V034000Jan 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires31,058 vehicles
Tires
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.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
- NHTSA 21V606000Aug 5, 2021Seat Belts45,496 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
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."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
2021 Audi A5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other A5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Audi A5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 35, ranking 12th worst among 18 model years and earning a Good verdict relative to other A5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Audi A5?
- Electrical System complaints are the top problem area, making up 25% of complaints, including power loss and instrument panel failures reported around a median mileage of 30,147.5 miles.
- Does the 2021 Audi A5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi A5, covering collision avoidance cameras, suspension lock nuts, seat belts, and an electrical wiring harness issue, none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2021 Audi A5 compare to other A5 years?
- The 2021 A5 has a complaint index of 35, better than years like 2020 (100), 2018 (94), and 2013 (88), which are rated Avoid, but higher than top years like 2016 and 2022, rated Best.