The Audi S5 spans 2008–2026 with 42 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2018, 2020, 2010 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2009, 2011, 2017. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi S5 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2008 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi S5 VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi S5 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this S5.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your S5, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi S5 have?
The Audi S5 has 42 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2008–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2025 Audi S5 recalls 2
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. 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.
Seat Belts:front:retractor
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. 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.
2023 Audi S5 recalls 1
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. 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.
2022 Audi S5 recalls 2
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unit
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2021 Audi S5 recalls 5
Back Over Prevention:display Function
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. 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.
Tires
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. 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).
2020 Audi S5 recalls 4
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. 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.
Seats
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Tires
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2019 Audi S5 recalls 4
Suspension:front:shock Absorber
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. 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.
Seats
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Tires
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2018 Audi S5 recalls 2
Seats
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2012 Audi S5 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. 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.
2011 Audi S5 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. 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.
Best and worst years for the Audi S5
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 19 tracked years, the worst years are 2018, 2020, 2010 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2009, 2011, 2017.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 S5 | Power Train | Average | |
| 2009 S5 | — | Best | |
| 2010 S5 | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2011 S5 | — | Best | |
| 2012 S5 | Air Bags | Average | |
| 2013 S5 | Power Train | Average | |
| 2014 S5 | Fuel/propulsion System | Average | |
| 2015 S5 | Engine | Average | |
| 2016 S5 | Steering | Average | |
| 2017 S5 | — | Best | |
| 2018 S5 | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2019 S5 | Engine | Average | |
| 2020 S5 | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2021 S5 | Suspension | Average | |
| 2022 S5 | — | Average | |
| 2023 S5 | Tires | Average | |
| 2024 S5 | — | Average | |
| 2025 S5 | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2026 S5 | — | Average |
What are the most common Audi S5 problems?
The most-reported Audi S5 problems are Seats (1 reports), Tires (1 reports) and Engine (22 reports) — out of 127 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi S5 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Audi S5 measures 190″ long on a 114″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,464 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi S5 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 190″ | 73″ | 57″ | 114″ | 4,464 lb |
| 2020–2023 | 186″ | 73″ | 54″ | 109″ | 3,990 lb |
| 2008–2017 | 183″ | 73″ | 54″ | 108″ | 3,891 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi S5 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the S5 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 91 cu ft of passenger volume and 22 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi S5 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi S5 get?
The Audi S5 returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,200/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2026 Audi S5 (3L 6-cyl) gets 23 mpg combined and costs about $3,350/yr to fuel, emitting 386 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10) — about $5,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 S5 | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2025 S5 | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 384 | 4/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2024 S5 | 21 | 29 | $3,200 | 376 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2023 S5 | 21 | 30 | $3,200 | 364 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2022 S5 | 21 | 30 | $3,200 | 363 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2021 S5 | 20 | 28 | $3,350 | 380 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2020 S5 | 20 | 27 | $3,350 | 393 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2019 S5 | 21 | 30 | $3,200 | 371 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2018 S5 | 21 | 30 | $3,200 | 374 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2017 S5 | 18 | 28 | $3,650 | 413 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2016 S5 | 18 | 28 | $3,650 | 413 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2015 S5 | 18 | 28 | $3,650 | 413 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2014 S5 | 18 | 28 | $3,650 | 413 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2013 S5 | 18 | 28 | $3,650 | 413 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2012 S5 | 17 | 26 | $3,850 | 444 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2011 S5 | 17 | 26 | $3,850 | 444 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2010 S5 | 17 | 26 | $3,850 | 444 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl |
The 2012 Audi S5 (4.2L 8-cyl) gets 19 mpg combined and costs about $4,050/yr to fuel, emitting 468 g/mi CO₂ (smog 5/10) — about $9,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 S5 | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 468 | 5/10 | 4.2L 8-cyl | |
| 2011 S5 | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 468 | 5/10 | 4.2L 8-cyl | |
| 2010 S5 | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 468 | 5/10 | 4.2L 8-cyl | |
| 2009 S5 | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 468 | — | 4.2L 8-cyl | |
| 2008 S5 | 16 | 22 | $4,050 | 468 | 5/10 | 4.2L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the S5 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this S5's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi S5 have? Power & range
The Audi S5 is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Premium |
| V8 | 4.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Audi S5 cost to own?
A used Audi S5 sells for a median of about $50,995 for a 2021 — most listed between $28,990 and $52,777, from 140 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 S5 | $28,990–$52,777 | 9 | |
| 2019 S5 | $22,998–$33,798 | 12 | |
| 2018 S5 | $19,999–$31,995 | 29 | |
| 2017 S5 | $12,500–$29,999 | 5 | |
| 2016 S5 | $17,500–$22,900 | 6 | |
| 2015 S5 | $11,900–$26,950 | 13 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a S5 is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Audi S5 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this S5 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the S5 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Audi S5 to insure?
A Audi S5 costs about $1,905 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 33% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (133, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the S5's HLDI loss index. See Audi insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Audi S5 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the S5 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Audi S5 last?
A well-maintained Audi S5 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Audi S5’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this S5’s VIN free →All Audi S5 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi S5 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 S5 | 0 | — | |
| 2025 S5 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2024 S5 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2023 S5 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2022 S5 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2021 S5 | 5 recalls | — | |
| 2020 S5 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2019 S5 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2018 S5 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2017 S5 | 0 | — | |
| 2016 S5 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2015 S5 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2014 S5 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2013 S5 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2012 S5 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2011 S5 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2010 S5 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2009 S5 | 0 | — | |
| 2008 S5 | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the S5?
By owner-complaint volume, 2018, 2020, 2010 drew the most reports. 2009, 2011, 2017 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the S5 have?
42 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2008–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Audi recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the S5 get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a S5 last?
A well-maintained S5 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the S5 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the S5 is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi S5 warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi S5 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your S5's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a S5 weigh?
The S5's curb weight is around 4,464 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the S5 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.