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#BS-2021-AUDA5-60C22021 Audi A5Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 9 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 9 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 5 recalls. Complaint rate is 1.7x the class average.
Top reported problems
engine stalls when driving
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
1 owners reported airbags issues — failures commonly reported around 57K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Airbags (1 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2021 Audi A5: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2021 Audi A5, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 56,795 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 57K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2021 Audi A5, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel Issues
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2021 Audi A5, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system: instrument cluster/panel-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2021 Audi A5, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Audi A5. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
TIRES
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2021 Audi A5 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedRollover
Not ratedFrom NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
The worst model year for the Audi A5 is the 2018 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2021 Audi A5 vs. Class Average (Subcompact Cars)
This vehicle
9
Class avg
5
1.7x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical subcompact cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 9 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Audi A5 Model Years
View all Audi A5 years →2021 Audi A5: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2021 Audi A5 Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 9 owner reports. Know before you buy.