Is the Audi A5 more reliable than the BMW 4-Series?

Based on our data, the Audi A5 is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 60/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Audi A5 or the BMW 4-Series?

The BMW 4-Series has more recalls (182) compared to the Audi A5 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi A5 or the BMW 4-Series?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi A5 has a lower complaint rate at 2.9 per 10,000 sold versus 15.8 for the BMW 4-Series. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Audi A5 vs BMW 4-Series: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Audi A5

Good

BMW 4-Series

Good

Choosing between the Audi A5 and the BMW 4-Series? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Audi A5 currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 60/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi A5 and BMW 4-Series Generations Compare?

As of March 2026, the BMW 4-Series is in its second generation, which began in 2020. This generation is relatively mature, suggesting that many initial issues typical of new platforms may have been addressed, leading to improved reliability. In contrast, the Audi A5 has recently entered its third generation in 2025. Historically, newer generations can experience early production teething problems, which might affect reliability. The Audi A5's second generation, spanning from 2018 to 2024 with a refresh in 2022, would have been more refined and reliable by the end of its cycle. Car buyers should consider these generation cycles when evaluating reliability.

Verdict

The Audi A5 is more reliable than the BMW 4-Series, scoring 75/100 vs 60/100.

Based on reliability data, the BMW 4-Series stands out with an impeccable record, showing no recorded owner complaints or recalls. In contrast, the Audi A5 exhibits a reasonable reliability score of 75/100 but has faced 16 recalls over eight years and a complaint rate of 2.9 per 10,000 units. The A5 also incurs an estimated annual repair cost of $739, highlighting potential long-term maintenance considerations. While both are midsize sedans, the BMW 4-Series offers superior reliability with no identified issues, making it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Audi A5 has 166 fewer total recalls
2Audi A5 scores 15 points higher in reliability
3Audi A5 has 12.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Audi A5

—

0BMW 4-Series

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Audi A5 vs BMW 4-Series: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi A5 vs BMW 4-Series at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi A5	BMW 4-Series
Reliability Score	75/100	60/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	16	182
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.9	15.8
Year Wins	7	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi A5 and BMW 4-Series?

The BMW 4-Series shows no recorded complaints, suggesting either strong reliability or insufficient data for comprehensive analysis. In contrast, the Audi A5 has accumulated 91 complaints, with the majority (47) concerning the electrical system. This indicates a potential area of concern for the A5, particularly given that electrical issues can affect multiple vehicle functions. Additionally, the A5 has a crash-linked complaint in the steering category, highlighting a critical safety concern absent in the BMW 4-Series data.

Audi A5 vs BMW 4-Series common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi A5	BMW 4-Series
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	2.3Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	1.7Low
AIR BAGS	—None	1.7Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	1.3Low
POWER TRAIN	—None	1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.9Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.5Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
TIRES	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Audi A5 or BMW 4-Series?

The Audi A5's annual repair cost is estimated at $739, with an average of 0.6 repair visits per year, according to industry estimates. Unfortunately, specific data for the BMW 4-Series is unavailable, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the Audi A5 offers a concrete benchmark for potential costs and repair frequency, providing some assurance for budget-conscious buyers. Without detailed information on the BMW 4-Series, the Audi A5 stands out as a more predictable and potentially cost-effective option over a five-year period, translating to approximately $3,695 in repair expenses. This predictability can be valuable for those seeking to manage their automotive expenses effectively.

How Does Audi A5 vs BMW 4-Series Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi A5 vs BMW 4-Series year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi A5	BMW 4-Series	Edge
2025	77/1000R / 1C	67/1009R / 2C	Audi A5
2023	81/1000R / 0C	63/10026R / 43C	Audi A5
2022	74/1003R / 5C	66/10018R / 36C	Audi A5
2021	71/1005R / 7C	57/10040R / 64C	Audi A5
2020	70/1005R / 60C	52/10034R / 66C	Audi A5
2019	73/1003R / 12C	55/10017R / 90C	Audi A5
2018	77/1000R / 6C	54/10021R / 261C	Audi A5
2026(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	65/100(predicted)	Audi A5

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Audi A5 scored 81/100 and the 2025 BMW 4-Series scored 67/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi A5 vs the BMW 4-Series?

If you prioritize reliability and want peace of mind with fewer recalls and complaints, the Audi A5 is the better choice. With a reliability score of 75/100 and only 2.9 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers a dependable driving experience. Although it has had 16 recalls, the estimated annual repair cost is reasonable at $739, and the repair frequency is a manageable 0.6 times per year. On the other hand, if you're considering the BMW 4-Series, be aware that its reliability score is 0/100, indicating potential concerns about long-term dependability. While there are no recorded recalls or owner complaints, the lack of data on repair costs and frequency suggests that the vehicle's reliability profile is uncertain. If you're willing to take a risk for the allure of a BMW, it may be worth considering, but the Audi A5 is the safer bet for most drivers.

Audi A5 vs BMW 4-Series: Common Questions

Is the Audi A5 more reliable than the BMW 4-Series?: Based on our data, the Audi A5 is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 60/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Audi A5 or the BMW 4-Series?: The BMW 4-Series has more recalls (182) compared to the Audi A5 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi A5 or the BMW 4-Series?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi A5 has a lower complaint rate at 2.9 per 10,000 sold versus 15.8 for the BMW 4-Series. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Audi A5 comparisons

Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability Audi A5 vs Audi E-Tron-GT reliability Audi A5 vs Lexus IS reliability Audi A5 reliability by year Audi A5 years to avoid

More BMW 4-Series comparisons

BMW 4-Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability BMW 4-Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability BMW 4-Series vs BMW 5-Series reliability BMW 4-Series reliability by year BMW 4-Series years to avoid

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue