VehicleVerdict

2025 Audi S5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2025 Audi S5 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2025 compare to other S5 years?

S5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted50 complaints2008: 3 complaints2010: 26 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 10 complaints2013: 20 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 3 complaints2018: 40 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 50 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 22 complaints
S5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Audi S5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance941%
Electrical System523%
Engine29%
Brakes29%
Tires & Wheels15%
Other15%
Speed Control15%
Suspension15%

Does the 2025 Audi S5 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V899000Seat BeltsDecember 19, 2025 · 27,768 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence

An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69D8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.

25V638000Seat BeltsSeptember 24, 2025 · 1,042 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 GTI, Golf R, Audi A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, S5, S6 Sportback E-Tron, 2026 Q4 Sportback E-Tron, and Q4 E-Tron vehicles. The torsion bar in one or both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.

Consequence

In a crash, a damaged torsion bar in a retractor could fail. If this happens, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace one or both front seat belts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 30, 2025, and October 31, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834 or Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 69UM; Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 694T. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 26, 2025.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“when starting vehicle every three or four days all safety systems fail and takes anywhere from one hour to 12 hours to reset. This forces me to drive vehicle without any safety systems i.e fwd collision, rear traffic alert, lane assist , side view mirror alerts, heads up display adaptive lighting.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 11, 2026

“System malfunctions for new all new 2025 Audi S5 including drive system malfunction, loose wheel, brakes limited functionality, parking break malfunction, stabilization control malfunction, driving dynamics system malfunction, hold assist malfunction.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 1, 2025

“The contact owns a 2025 Audi S5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to respond while attempting to drive. The vehicle was restarted after the failure. The vehicle was taken to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 23, 2026

“System malfunctions for new all new 2025 Audi S5 including drive system malfunction, loose wheel, brakes limited functionality, parking break malfunction, stabilization control malfunction, driving dynamics system malfunction, hold assist malfunction.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2025

“Below is a detailed timeline of the problems I experienced: Intermittent starting issue Over the past few months, the car has occasionally failed to start on the first attempt. It always started on the second try, so I planned to mention it at the next service visit. Complete MMI/display blackout…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 16, 2025

2025 Audi S5 — common questions

Is the 2025 Audi S5 reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2025 S5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (9 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 2025 Audi S5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Audi S5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi S5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S5 years to avoid are 2020, 2018. The cleanest record among S5 years belongs to 2021.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.