Last updated: 2026-10-10
Audi vs Toyota: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Audi
10 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Toyota comes out ahead of Audi on reliability, with a clear edge. Owners file fewer complaints per car sold, and yearly repairs cost about half as much. Both brands hold a good standing, and both are trending up.
Is Audi More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 68/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 10 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 33 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 168 | 616 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $930/yr | $482/yr |
Audi vs Toyota: The Verdict
A clear edge goes to Toyota. It is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs and recall impact. Owners report 0.9 complaints per 1,000 sold, against 1.4 for Audi. Expected repairs run $482 a year versus $930.
Problems are spread across systems about evenly for the two brands, but the weak spots differ. Audi complaints lean heavily on the electrical system, at 41% of the total. Toyota's largest group is power train. Both brands hold a good standing, so Audi is not a bad pick. It is the costlier one, and the more electrical-prone one.
Where Audi and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 65/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 58/100Mixed | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 77/100Good | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 81/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: repair costs. Toyota has a 19-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Audi vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses
Audi
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (68/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 9 of 10 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- High maintenance costs ($930/year avg)
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 19 of 19 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Audi and Toyota Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Audi
Toyota
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Audi or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost data, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/year compared to $930/year for Audi. That's a difference of $448/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Audi Repair Cost Range
$739 – $1185/yr
Average: $930/yr
Toyota Repair Cost Range
$362 – $642/yr
Average: $482/yr
Audi vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Audi | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(3 vs 6 models) | 72/100 | 78/100 | Toyota |
| SUVs(7 vs 9 models) | 67/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
Toyota wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Audi vs Toyota
| Component | Audi | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 10%140 | 19%1,909 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 41%567 | 12%1,271 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%164 | 13%1,350 |
| ENGINE | 7%100 | 9%963 |
| AIR BAGS | 2%26 | 9%911 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4%53 | 8%780 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2%27 | 8%796 |
| STEERING | 6%76 | 5%532 |
| SUSPENSION | 4%53 | 1%61 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 3%36 | 0%50 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Audi vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Audi
61
Crash reports
10
Fire reports
44
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Audi and Toyota Model Ranked
Audi Models
Toyota Models
Audi vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Audi's reliability is improving — recent model years average 74/100, up from earlier years. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Interestingly, both Audi and Toyota show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Audi | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 75/100(6) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2025 | 72/100(10) | 78/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2024 | 67/100(8) | 75/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2023 | 68/100(8) | 75/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2022 | 66/100(8) | 76/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 65/100(7) | 76/100(14) | Toyota |
| 2020 | 66/100(7) | 73/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2019 | 63/100(6) | 70/100(12) | Toyota |
| 2018 | 65/100(6) | 71/100(12) | Toyota |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Who Should Buy Audi vs Toyota?
If you want the lowest running costs, shop Toyota. The Crown, Corolla Cross, Corolla, 4Runner and Venza all rate excellent. For a truck, a used Tacoma is sound on cost, but favor the 2021 and skip 2018 and 2019, where transmission shudder and hunting for gears show up. Sedan and SUV shoppers get a stronger Toyota lineup in both classes.
If you prefer Audi, choose carefully and budget for higher repair bills. The A5, Q3, A4 and Q5 all rate good. The Q8-E-Tron tops the Audi list, but no owner complaints are on file for it, and the 2024 carries two recalls. Skip the E-Tron, which rates mixed. Owners describe a sudden warning to stop, motor shutdown and a tow. If you still want one, favor the 2020. Have the electrical system checked on any Audi before you buy.
The Bottom Line: Audi or Toyota?
For most used-car shoppers, Toyota is the better buy. The strongest single model across both lineups is the Toyota Crown, which rates excellent, and the 2024 is the year to favor because it has had time to build a record. Audi also costs more to keep running: about $448 more a year, or roughly $2,240 over five years.
Audi vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Audi more reliable than Toyota?
Which is cheaper to repair, Audi or Toyota?
Which brand has more recalls?
What goes wrong most often on Audis?
What goes wrong most often on Toyotas?
Comparing Audi vs Toyota? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How we score Audi and Toyota models
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.