Is the Audi E-Tron-GT more reliable than the BMW 5-Series?

Based on our data, the Audi E-Tron-GT is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron-GT or the BMW 5-Series?

The BMW 5-Series has more recalls (54) compared to the Audi E-Tron-GT (46). 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 E-Tron-GT or the BMW 5-Series?

Adjusted for sales volume, the BMW 5-Series has a lower complaint rate at 3.9 per 10,000 sold versus 5.2 for the Audi E-Tron-GT. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Audi E-Tron-GT vs BMW 5-Series: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Audi E-Tron-GT

Good

BMW 5-Series

Good

Choosing between the Audi E-Tron-GT and the BMW 5-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 E-Tron-GT currently leads with an average score of 68/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi E-Tron-GT and BMW 5-Series Generations Compare?

The BMW 5-Series is currently in its eighth generation (G60), which began in 2024. The model is early in its generation cycle, which can sometimes mean teething issues as new platforms are refined. The previous seventh generation (G30), which ran from 2017 to 2023, had a significant facelift in 2020, suggesting a mature and well-sorted platform by the end of its cycle. In contrast, the Audi E-Tron GT, introduced in 2021, remains in its first generation. It received a facelift in 2024, indicating Audi's efforts to address any early production issues and refine the model. Generally, first-generation vehicles can face initial reliability challenges, but facelifts often help improve these early concerns.

Verdict

The Audi E-Tron-GT is more reliable than the BMW 5-Series, scoring 68/100 vs 66/100.

The BMW 5-Series and Audi E-Tron-GT have similar reliability scores, with the 5-Series at 66/100 and the E-Tron-GT at 65/100. However, the BMW has a slightly better owner complaint rate of 3.9 per 10,000 sold compared to Audi's 7 per 10,000. While both vehicles have faced significant recalls, the BMW's longer production span reveals a higher total with 54 recalls over eight years, whereas the Audi had 46 in just four years. Common issues for both involve the electrical system and power train, but the BMW also frequently encounters airbag and engine problems, making the Audi E-Tron-GT marginally more favorable in terms of issue concentration.

Key Differences

1Audi E-Tron-GT has 8 fewer total recalls
2Audi E-Tron-GT scores 2 points higher in reliability
3BMW 5-Series has 1.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Audi E-Tron-GT

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1BMW 5-Series

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Audi E-Tron-GT vs BMW 5-Series: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi E-Tron-GT vs BMW 5-Series at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi E-Tron-GT	BMW 5-Series
Reliability Score	68/100	66/100
Years Tracked	4	8
Total Recalls	46	54
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.2	3.9
Year Wins	1	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi E-Tron-GT and BMW 5-Series?

The BMW 5-Series presents a notable issue with its air bags, accumulating 45 complaints, including 5 linked to crashes, indicating a significant safety concern. Additionally, the model shows a broad distribution of complaints across various systems, with electrical and unknown issues also frequently reported. In contrast, the Audi E-Tron-GT has a significantly lower total of 21 complaints, primarily focused on the electrical system and power train, with no crash-linked incidents reported. This suggests that the E-Tron-GT, while not without issues, faces a more concentrated set of problems and fewer safety-related concerns compared to the BMW 5-Series.

Audi E-Tron-GT vs BMW 5-Series common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi E-Tron-GT	BMW 5-Series
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2Low	0.4Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.5Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	—None	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.3Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None

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

How Does Audi E-Tron-GT vs BMW 5-Series Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi E-Tron-GT vs BMW 5-Series year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi E-Tron-GT	BMW 5-Series	Edge
2025	75/1001R / 0C	71/1005R / 0C	Audi E-Tron-GT
2023	65/10015R / 10C	70/1002R / 7C	BMW 5-Series
2022	64/10020R / 10C	68/1003R / 13C	BMW 5-Series

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Audi E-Tron-GT scored 75/100 and the 2025 BMW 5-Series scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi E-Tron-GT vs the BMW 5-Series?

If you prioritize a car with fewer recalls and a slightly better reliability score, the BMW 5-Series might be the more appealing choice. With a reliability score of 66/100 and 54 total recalls, it edges out the Audi E-Tron-GT in these areas. Additionally, the BMW 5-Series has a lower rate of owner complaints at 3.9 per 10,000 sold, suggesting a more satisfactory ownership experience for many. However, if your focus is on a vehicle with more advanced electric capabilities, the Audi E-Tron-GT could be worth considering despite its 65/100 reliability score. It has fewer total recalls at 46, and while it has a higher complaint rate at 7 per 10,000 sold, its issues are primarily centered around the electrical system and power train, which might be expected in a high-tech electric vehicle. If cutting-edge technology and performance are your priorities, the E-Tron-GT offers a compelling package.

Audi E-Tron-GT vs BMW 5-Series: Common Questions

Is the Audi E-Tron-GT more reliable than the BMW 5-Series?: Based on our data, the Audi E-Tron-GT is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron-GT or the BMW 5-Series?: The BMW 5-Series has more recalls (54) compared to the Audi E-Tron-GT (46). 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 E-Tron-GT or the BMW 5-Series?: Adjusted for sales volume, the BMW 5-Series has a lower complaint rate at 3.9 per 10,000 sold versus 5.2 for the Audi E-Tron-GT. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Audi E-Tron-GT comparisons

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More BMW 5-Series comparisons

BMW 5-Series reliability by year BMW 5-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.

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