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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2008–2026

Audi S5 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns and 142 owner complaints for the Audi S5, covering model years 2008 to 2026. The 2018 model year drew the most complaints (26), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Audi S5 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 14 recall campaigns on file
  • 142 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 17 model years with data (2008–2026)
  • most complaints: 2018 (26 for that model year)
  • top component: Power Train (27 complaints)
  • latest recall 25V899000 (reported Dec 19, 2025)
  • 3 complaints reporting a crash (2.1%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 3 complaints reporting an injury (2.1%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Audi S5 complaints by model year

17 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2018 model year has the most complaints: 26 of 142, or 18.3%. Next come 2020 (25) and 2010 (20). The fewest are for 2026, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Audi S5 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2008–2026Column chart of 142 complaints across 19 model years. The highest is 2018 with 26. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2008: 3 complaints320082009: 0 complaints20092010: 20 complaints2020102011: 8 complaints820112012: 10 complaints1020122013: 16 complaints1620132014: 6 complaints620142015: 2 complaints220152016: 1 complaint120162017: 0 complaints20172018: 26 complaints2620182019: 6 complaints620192020: 25 complaints2520202021: 1 complaint120212022: 1 complaint120222023: 3 complaints320232024: 2 complaints220242025: 11 complaints1120252026: 1 complaint12026
Show the figures for all 17 model years
Audi S5 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Audi S5 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200830000
2010200000
201180000
2012100000
2013160000
201460000
201520000
201610000
2018262010
201960000
2020250000
202110000
202210000
202331010
202420000
2025110010
202610000
All model years1423030

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Audi S5 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 27 complaints (19.0% of all 142), followed by Electrical System (26) and Air Bags (25). Another 27 complaints are filed under NHTSA’s “Unknown or Other” category.

Components named most often in Audi S5 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Audi S5 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Power Train2719.0%
Unknown or Other2719.0%
Electrical System2618.3%
Air Bags2517.6%
Engine2416.9%
Forward Collision Avoidance149.9%
Back Over Prevention128.5%
Lane Departure96.3%
Fuel/Propulsion System85.6%
Steering74.9%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)53.5%
Service Brakes53.5%
Suspension42.8%
Visibility/Wiper32.1%
Fuel System, Gasoline21.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Audi S5 recalls

14 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name S5, newest first. The 14 campaigns cover model years 2011 to 2025. The 2021 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).

  • 14 recall campaigns
Audi S5 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2011: 1 campaign2012: 1 campaign2013: no campaigns2014: no campaigns2015: no campaigns2016: no campaigns2017: no campaigns2018: 2 campaigns2019: 4 campaigns
2020: 4 campaigns2021: 5 campaigns2022: 2 campaigns2023: 1 campaign2024: no campaigns2025: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 25V899000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor

    Model year 2025

    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 25V638000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Retractor

    Model year 2025

    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 24V251000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger

    Model year 2023

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.

    Consequence:
    A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 22V806000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Video (TOUCH)Screen/Monitor/Unit; Back Over Prevention › Display Function

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence:
    An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 22V742000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Display Function

    Model year 2021

    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."

    Consequence:
    A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 22V034000

    Reported

    Tires; Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly

    Model years 2019–2021

    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.

    Consequence:
    Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 21V874000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger; Seats

    Model years 2018–2020

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

    Consequence:
    A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  8. NHTSA campaign 21V825000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence:
    A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  9. NHTSA campaign 21V606000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor; Seat Belts

    Model year 2021

    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."

    Consequence:
    An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  10. NHTSA campaign 21V295000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly

    Model years 2019–2021

    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.

    Consequence:
    A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Show 4 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 20V737000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights; Electrical System

    Model years 2020–2021

    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.

    Consequence:
    Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 19V547000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

    Model year 2018

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

    Consequence:
    A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 19V114000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber

    Model year 2019

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Q7, Q8, S5 Cabriolet, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The front shock absorber forks may develop cracks allowing the shock absorbers to loosen.

    Consequence:
    Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the shock absorber forks, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 40O4.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 15V019000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail

    Model years 2011–2012

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.

    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Audi S5 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Audi S5 have?

NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recall campaigns for the Audi S5, covering model years 2008 to 2026. The most recent, 25V899000, was reported on December 19, 2025 and is filed under “Seat belts”. The 2021 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).

Which Audi S5 model year has the most complaints?

The 2018 model year, with 26 of the 142 complaints in NHTSA’s file (18.3%). The next are 2020 (25) and 2010 (20). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Audi S5 complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 27 complaints, or 19.0% of all 142. Electrical System (26) and Air Bags (25) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Audi S5?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Audi dealer.

How many Audi S5 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 142 complaints, 3 report a crash, 0 a fire, 3 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Audi models

8 models · most complaints first

The Audi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Audi VIN decoder with every Audi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Audi A4 1995–2024 · 27 recalls · 2,893 complaints
  • Audi A6 1995–2026 · 54 recalls · 1,656 complaints
  • Audi Q5 2008–2026 · 33 recalls · 1,337 complaints
  • Audi Q7 2007–2026 · 32 recalls · 1,042 complaints
  • Audi A3 2001–2025 · 20 recalls · 728 complaints
  • Audi S4 1995–2022 · 15 recalls · 560 complaints
  • Audi A5 2008–2026 · 19 recalls · 325 complaints
  • Audi TT 2000–2023 · 12 recalls · 319 complaints

All Audi models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.