Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 82/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Audi A5 Reliability Report

The 2026 Audi A5 has an excellent reliability standing, with no owner complaints and no recalls on file so far.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$739

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,650

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint SeverityN/A

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue DiversityN/A

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Top-ranked of the eight scored A5 years, with no owner complaints or recalls on file, though that record is still very young.

Should You Buy the 2026 Audi A5?

Reliability for this year is excellent, and it ranks first among the eight A5 model years we score. Against other 2026 sedans it sits close to average, so it leads its own lineup more than it leads its class. The 2025 model is rated good, but it ranks lower.

Owners have filed no complaints, and federal recall records show no recalls. That means there is no known failure pattern to describe. It also means the record is thin. Complaints pile up the longer a car is on the road, and a car this new has had little time to collect them. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repair spending for the A5 at $739 across the model.

Before you buy, run the VIN for open recalls, because new ones can appear later. Ask the seller for service and repair records. If you want a car with a longer track record, the 2025 has one complaint and no recalls on file.

See also the 2025 Audi A5 for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+No recalls issued
+Low complaint frequency

Cons

No recurring complaint themes yet.

Compare 2026 Audi A5 With

2026 BMW 4 Series

Reliability: 64/100

Good

2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Reliability: 82/100

Excellent

2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2026 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Reliability: 64/100

Good

2026 Lexus IS

Reliability: 87/100

Excellent

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Audi A5 — uncommon, and a strong signal 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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Audi 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.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

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 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

Gas

26 MPG

Running cost: $3,400/yr

Fuel + repair

22 city / 32 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 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
A5 quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	22	32	26	$2,650

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(selected)	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	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?

Yes, its reliability standing is excellent, the best of the eight A5 model years we score. Against other 2026 sedans it is close to average. Owners have filed no complaints and there are no recalls on file, though a car this new has had little time to build a record.

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

No common problems are on record yet. Owners have filed zero complaints for this year, so there is no repeated symptom to point to. That mostly reflects how little time the car has been on the road. Problems may show up in later filings.

Does the 2026 Audi A5 have any recalls?

No. Federal recall records list zero recalls for this model year. Recalls can be issued after a car has been on sale for a while, so run the VIN through the federal recall lookup before you buy and confirm nothing is open.

How much does it cost to repair a 2026 Audi A5?

Independent repair-cost data estimates about $739 a year for the A5. That figure covers the model as a whole, not only the 2026 year. Because this year is new, it is a general guide, not a prediction for one car.

Is the 2026 Audi A5 better than the 2025 model?

On standing, yes. The 2026 is rated excellent and the 2025 is rated good, which ranks worse. The 2025 has one complaint and no recalls, so it has a longer record. Both are clean on recalls, so check the VIN for either.

Don’t buy a 2026 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 2026 Audi A5

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2026 Audi A5 does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). 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.

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