VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Audi S52008–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Audi S5
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Audi S5 Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 27 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
2 recalls · 25 complaints
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
2 recalls · 24 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Audi S5 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 87 | 42 | 71 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 13 | 3 | — | 62 | 57 | 60 | Caution |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 87 | 70 | 81 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 87 | 80 | 85 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 80 | 87 | 82 | Good |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 64 | 90 | 73 | Good |
| 2020 | 2 | 24 | — | — | 62 | 89 | 71 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 3 | 6 | — | — | 62 | 85 | 70 | Caution |
| 2018 | 3 | 27 | 3 | — | 62 | 79 | 68 | Avoid |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 87 | 72 | 82 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 87 | 65 | 79 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 87 | 58 | 77 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 87 | 52 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 12 | — | — | 62 | 47 | 57 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 64 | 43 | 57 | Good |
| 2011 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 62 | 40 | 54 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 25 | — | — | 62 | 40 | 54 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 87 | 40 | 71 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 87 | 40 | 71 | Excellent |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Audi S5 Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the S5 compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2023 (Buyer Score 85).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 82).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year S5 to buy?+
The 2023 Audi S5 scores highest on our Buyer Score (85/100) — combining a reliability score of 87/100 with a value score of 80/100. It has 0 recalls and 2 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which S5 years have the most problems?+
The 2018, 2010, 2020 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2018 S5 leads with 3 recalls and 27 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common S5 problems?+
The most frequently reported Audi S5 issues involve: POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.