Last updated: 2026-03-15

RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2026 Audi A5 Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Audi A5
Brand: Audi

The 2026 Audi A5 has a predicted reliability score of 77/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Annual Cost

$739

The Verdict

Consider

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 77/100 — worth considering.

Should You Buy the 2026 Audi A5?

The 2026 Audi A5 has a predicted reliability score of 77/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 0 recalls, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Audi A5 for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
+No recalls issued
+Low complaint frequency

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing

Compare 2026 Audi A5 With

2026 BMW 4-Series

Predicted: 65/100

Predicted

2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Predicted: 56/100

Predicted

2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Predicted: 62/100

Predicted

2026 Lexus IS

Predicted: 83/100

Predicted

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2026 Audi A5 has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

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

2026 Audi A5 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Front Center Air Bag)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (Yes)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Audi A5 Repair 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.

Buying a 2026 A5? Check Its History First

Every 2026 Audi A5 has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN

Best & Worst Audi A5 Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Audi A5 Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Audi A5 year is 2023 with a reliability score of 81/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2025 (77/100) and 2018 (77/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

Audi A5 Years to Avoid

No Audi A5 years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Audi A5 maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

See full Audi A5 years-to-avoid analysis

Audi A5 Reliability Score Trend

Audi A5 reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 75/100.

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

Audi A5 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	77/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	0
2025	77/100	-4	Good	0	1
2023	81/100	+7	Excellent	0	0
2022	74/100	+3	Good	3	5
2021	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 2026 Audi A5 reliable?

The 2026 Audi A5 has a predicted reliability score of 77/100 ("Good") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Audi A5?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Audi A5. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Audi A5 have?

The 2026 Audi A5 has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 77/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Audi A5 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.