Audi S5 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Audi S5 model year (2008–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Audi S5 Years to Avoid
1 recall · 27 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 36
2 recalls · 25 complaints
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 31
1 recall · 24 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 27
Best Audi S5 Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 1
Found the right year? Verify that specific S5 with a free VIN report.
Audi S5 — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 10 | Good |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 5 | Good |
| 2022 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 5 | Good |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 10 | Good |
| 2020 | 1 | 24 | — | — | 27 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 11 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 27 | 3 | — | 36 | Avoid |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 10 | Good |
| 2012 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 13 | Caution |
| 2011 | 3 | 6 | — | — | 15 | Caution |
| 2010 | 2 | 25 | — | — | 31 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
All 19 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Audi S5 Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent S5 models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade S5 units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2015 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder S5 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year S5 should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2018 Audi S5 if possible. It has 1 recall, 27 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 36 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year S5 to buy?+
The 2008 Audi S5 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which S5 has the fewest problems?+
The 2008, 2015, 2024 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Audi S5 Research
Check a Specific Audi S5 VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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