Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 71/100 (GOOD)

2021 Audi A5 Reliability Report

The 2021 Audi A5 has good reliability but ranks among the weaker A5 years. The one issue to check is an instrument panel that goes dark.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

4.1per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$739

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,450–$2,650

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity72/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact68/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity75/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Good reliability but among the weaker of eight A5 years, with five recalls and a 2022 that rates better.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
POWER TRAIN (1)
AIR BAGS (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2021 is year 4 of the Second generation (RE9).

Redesigned for the 2018 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
A refresh arrives in 2022.
2nd generation A5 (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2018: Second generation (RE9) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is year 4 of the Second generation (RE9).

2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2021 Audi A5?

Reliability is good, but this is one of the weaker years for the A5. Against other 2021 sedans it lands close to average. Within the A5's eight scored model years it sits near the bottom. The 2020 rates about the same, and the 2022 rates better. It earns 5 of 5 stars in federal crash tests.

The problem to know about is the instrument panel. One A5 owner reported it blinking on and off while driving, then going completely dark at about 56,795 miles. That takes away the speedometer and warning lights. The dealer said the panel needed replacement, and the car sat waiting for parts. A second electrical filing in the data describes a Q5, so it says little about the A5. Federal recall records list five recalls for this year.

Ask for proof that every recall was completed. On a test drive, watch the instrument panel closely. If the 2022 fits your budget, it has fewer recalls and rates better.

Compared to the 2022 Audi A5, which scored 3 points higher. See also the 2020 Audi A5 for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
+5-star NHTSA crash rating

Cons

−Moderate recall count
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Instrument panel blinks on and off while driving, then goes completely dark (2 complaints)
−UNKNOWN OR OTHER issues reported (2 complaints)

Compare 2021 Audi A5 With

2021 BMW 4 Series

Reliability: 57/100

Mixed

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Reliability: 47/100

Mixed

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Reliability: 56/100

Mixed

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Reliability: 58/100

Mixed

2021 Lexus IS

Reliability: 83/100

Excellent

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

5 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 5 recalls are on file for the 2021 Audi A5. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

4.1

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Audi A5 Recall Details

5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Audi A5. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

22V7420002022-10-05

BACK OVER PREVENTION

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."

Consequence

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.

22V0340002022-01-26

TIRES, SUSPENSION

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.

Consequence

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.

21V6060002021-08-05

SEAT BELTS

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."

Consequence

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).

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Audi A5? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Audi A5, and 5 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Audi A5 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 9.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Not Available)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Audi A5Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$739

Repair Frequency

0.6

unscheduled repair visits per year

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Hybrid

26–28 MPG

Running cost: $3,200–$3,400/yr

Fuel + repair

23–25 city / 31–34 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Hybrid trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
A5 Sportback quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	25	34	28	$2,450
A5 quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	24	31	27	$2,550
A5 Sportback S line quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	24	31	27	$2,550
A5 Cabriolet quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	23	31	26	$2,650

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Audi A5.

Watch the instrument panel through a full test drive for flickering, blinking, or going dark.
Ask for service records showing an instrument panel replacement or a parts order still waiting.
Drive at highway speed for an extended stretch and watch for any transmission failure warning.
After the drive, stop, shift to park, then confirm the car shifts into every gear again.
Use reverse several times and confirm the backup camera image never turns white, black, or freezes.
Ask for dealer records of any backup camera repair and whether the fault came back afterward.

2021 Audi A5 Common Problems by Component

7 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)POWER TRAIN (1)AIR BAGS (1)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Transmission failure warnings appear at highway speed and get worse within moments, going from limited driving to an instruction to stop safely. After that the car will not shift into any gear and has to be towed. Losing drive on an interstate puts the car at risk of being stranded in traffic. The shop goes weeks without a diagnosis. Separately, the backup camera shows a white, black, or frozen screen, and the fault comes back after an earlier repair. Both complaints in this category describe these two problems.

2 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

The instrument panel blinks on and off while driving, then goes completely dark. In the A5 report, this happens at about 56,795 miles. The dealer finds the panel needs replacement but has to wait for parts, so the car sits unrepaired. A dark cluster takes away the speedometer and warning lights. The second filing in this category describes a 2021 Q5, not an A5. That car loses all power after a wet gateway module, so it says little about the A5. Two complaints is a small sample, and they do not show a pattern.

2 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2025-10-24

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? TRANSMISSION - GEAR SHIFT How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS AND WE WHEN THE CAR INSTRUCTED US TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY IT WASN'T A SAFE PLACE TO STOP THE CAR. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? SO FAR AUDI NOR THE DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. ONLY THAT THEY SEE PIECES OF METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON TWICE AND TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY WARNING CAME ON ONCE.

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

2025-12-21

The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on in my Audi no matter if there is or is not a passenger in the seat. I took my vehicle to an authorized Audi service center to have the issue checked and they determined the issue to be a failed pods mat based on the error code returned. Upon researching, I’ve discovered that this issue was a safety recall issue with Audi A5 Sportback vehicles in 2020. My vehicle was manufactured during the time of this particular recall and the issue appears to be indicative of this recall. The recall was safety recall code: 74E3.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

2024-02-10

There was no damage caused. The audi pre sense technology (automatic braking) has come close to causing several accidents by braking extremely hard when there has been no reason to brake.

Best & Worst Audi A5 Years

Best Audi A5 Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Excellent

Audi A5 Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Audi A5 reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	77/100	Good
2019	73/100	Good
2020	70/100	Good
2021	71/100	Good
2022	74/100	Good
2023	81/100	Excellent
2025	77/100	Good
2026	82/100	Excellent

Audi A5 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	82/100	+5	Excellent	0	0
2025	77/100	-4	Good	0	1
2023	81/100	+7	Excellent	0	0
2022	74/100	+3	Good	3	5
2021(selected)	71/100	+1	Good	5	7
2020	70/100	-3	Good	5	60
2019	73/100	-4	Good	3	12
2018	77/100	—	Good	0	6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Audi A5 reliable?

Yes, it has a good reliability standing, and it is close to average among 2021 sedans. It is among the weaker of the eight scored A5 model years, though. Owners filed 7 complaints, and federal records show 5 recalls. The 2022 rates better, and the 2020 rates about the same.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi A5?

The main complaint pattern is electrical. An A5 owner described the instrument panel blinking on and off while driving, then going dark at about 56,795 miles. The dealer found it needed replacement and had to wait for parts. This is a single A5 report, so it is not a proven pattern.

Does the 2021 Audi A5 have instrument panel problems?

One A5 report describes it. The panel blinked, then went completely dark, which removes the speedometer and warning lights. The dealer said the panel needed replacement, and the car sat unrepaired until parts arrived. A second electrical complaint involved a Q5, not an A5, so it does not count against this car.

How many recalls does the 2021 Audi A5 have?

Federal recall records show five recalls. They cover back over prevention, tires and suspension, seat belts, suspension, and exterior lighting and electrical system. Ask the seller for proof that each one was completed, or have a dealer check the VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Is the 2021 Audi A5 better than the 2022 or 2020?

The 2022 rates better than the 2021, with 5 complaints and 3 recalls against 7 complaints and 5 recalls. The 2020 rates about the same as the 2021, with 60 complaints and 5 recalls. All three years have a good reliability standing.

Don’t buy a 2021 Audi A5 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Audi A5

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Audi A5 does best on how many systems draw complaints (75/100) and worst on recall impact (68/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Audi A5.

No spam. Only data updates for this model.