Is the Audi A5 more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Yes, by a large margin. The A5 has 2.9 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, against 30.2 for the A-Class. Federal recall records also show fewer recalls for the A5. The A5 is rated good for reliability, and the A-Class is rated mixed.

Which has more recalls, the A5 or the A-Class?

The A-Class has far more. Federal recall records show 55 recalls across 7 model years for the A-Class, against 16 across 8 model years for the A5. Many A-Class owners also describe long waits for recall parts and over-the-air fixes.

What is the most common Audi A5 problem?

Electrical trouble, mainly the instrument panel. Owners describe it blinking on and off, then going dark, which removes the speedometer and warning lights. One report puts it near 56,795 miles. The dealer found the panel needed replacement and had to wait for parts.

Are there safety problems on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Yes, several. Owners report the car losing drive in traffic, either with an unresponsive accelerator or an engine shutoff. The rearview camera can also go blank in reverse. Crash-linked complaints appear in the electrical, power train, steering, and brake areas.

Which A5 and A-Class years should I avoid?

For the A5, avoid 2020 and 2021, its weakest years, and look at 2023 instead. For the A-Class, avoid 2018 and 2024, and look at 2022. Confirm that all recall work is finished on whichever car you choose.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Audi A5

Good

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mixed

The Audi A5 comes out well ahead of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class on reliability, with far fewer recalls and complaints per car sold. The A-Class adds reports of lost drive in traffic and several crash-linked problem areas, while the A5's main fault is a failing instrument panel.

How Do the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class Generations Compare?

Most used examples of the A5 a shopper will find are second generation (RE9), sold for model years 2018 to 2024, with a refresh in 2022. A third generation (RE10) began with the 2025 model year. A 2022 or 2023 car therefore carries the refreshed design. On the A-Class side, the fourth generation (W177) covers 2019 to 2023. The third generation (W176) ran from 2013 to 2018 and had a facelift in 2016. A 2018 is the last of that older generation, and it ranks among the weakest A-Class years. Newer cars in either lineup have had less time to collect complaints.

Verdict

The Audi A5 is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, scoring 76/100 vs 57/100.

The more reliable car is the Audi A5, and the gap is large. The deciding reason is the volume and severity of trouble. Owners filed about ten times as many complaints per car sold on the A-Class, and federal recall records show far more recalls for it. The A-Class also has reports of lost drive in traffic and crashes tied to several systems. The A5's main weakness is a failing instrument panel, which is a real hassle but a less dangerous one.

Key Differences

1Audi A5 has 39 fewer total recalls
2Audi A5 has 27.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Audi A5 scores 19 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Audi A5

—

0Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi A5	Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Reliability Score	76/100	57/100
Years Tracked	8	7
Total Recalls	16	55
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.9	30.2
Year Wins	6	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Electrical trouble leads on the A5: the instrument panel blinks, then goes dark, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it. Its other complaints are few, covering tire tread separation, Pre-Sense braking with no real threat, and MMI reboots in reverse. A-Class problems are more physical. Owners report lost drive in traffic, an engine shutting off, limp mode, and a blank rearview camera. Crash-linked reports appear in its electrical, power train, steering, and brake areas. The A5 has one crash-linked area, steering, and that report involved rear suspension hardware.

Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi A5	Mercedes-Benz A-Class
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	7.2Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	4.8Average
POWER TRAIN	—None	3.5Average
STEERING	0.1Very Low	1.9Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	1.4Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	1.4Low
AIR BAGS	—None	1.2Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.8Very Low
TIRES	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.6Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.6Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.4Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.4Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.4Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	—None

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

How Does Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi A5	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	Edge
2026	82/1000R / 0C	64/1000R / 0C	Audi A5
2022	74/1003R / 5C	65/1001R / 2C	Audi A5
2021	71/1005R / 7C	58/10015R / 11C	Audi A5
2020	70/1005R / 60C	59/1009R / 18C	Audi A5
2019	73/1003R / 12C	55/10013R / 42C	Audi A5
2018	77/1000R / 6C	48/10010R / 52C	Audi A5

Best years to cross-shop: The 2018 Audi A5 scored 77/100 and the 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class scored 65/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Audi A5 vs the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Pick the A5 if you want the lower-risk used car. It has fewer recalls, far fewer complaints per car sold, and no repeated reports of the car dying in traffic. Target 2023, one of its strongest years, and be careful with 2020 and 2021, its weakest. Before buying, check that the instrument panel works without flicker, and ask about tire history, since tread separation shows up in complaints. A 2026 may look clean, but it has had little time to collect complaints. Consider the A-Class only if its compact size matters more to you than avoiding risk. Target 2022, its strongest year, and avoid 2018 and 2024. Confirm that every open recall has been completed, because many owners describe long waits for parts and over-the-air fixes with no time frame. Test the rearview camera and listen for popping when turning the cold wheel. Walk away from any car with a history of stalling or limp mode.

Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Common Questions

Is the Audi A5 more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?: Yes, by a large margin. The A5 has 2.9 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, against 30.2 for the A-Class. Federal recall records also show fewer recalls for the A5. The A5 is rated good for reliability, and the A-Class is rated mixed.
Which has more recalls, the A5 or the A-Class?: The A-Class has far more. Federal recall records show 55 recalls across 7 model years for the A-Class, against 16 across 8 model years for the A5. Many A-Class owners also describe long waits for recall parts and over-the-air fixes.
What is the most common Audi A5 problem?: Electrical trouble, mainly the instrument panel. Owners describe it blinking on and off, then going dark, which removes the speedometer and warning lights. One report puts it near 56,795 miles. The dealer found the panel needed replacement and had to wait for parts.
Are there safety problems on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?: Yes, several. Owners report the car losing drive in traffic, either with an unresponsive accelerator or an engine shutoff. The rearview camera can also go blank in reverse. Crash-linked complaints appear in the electrical, power train, steering, and brake areas.
Which A5 and A-Class years should I avoid?: For the A5, avoid 2020 and 2021, its weakest years, and look at 2023 instead. For the A-Class, avoid 2018 and 2024, and look at 2022. Confirm that all recall work is finished on whichever car you choose.

More Audi A5 comparisons

Audi A5 vs BMW 4 Series reliability 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 reliability by year Audi A5 years to avoid

More Mercedes-Benz A-Class comparisons

Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Audi A4 reliability Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs BMW 3 Series reliability Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Lexus IS reliability Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Acura Integra reliability Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliability by year Mercedes-Benz A-Class years to avoid

Decided between Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue