The most-reported A5 run is WAUCNCF54LA (2020 builds) with 4 complaints, 3.1× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 29% of reports; 2020 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for A5 model years 2008–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi A5 has 182 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every A5 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAUCNCF54LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| WAUCNCF57LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| WAUCNCF50LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| WAUCNCF5XLA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| WAULFAFH7CN•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| WAUCNCF52LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| WAULFAFR6DA•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAULFAFH8EN•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WAULFAFH5CN•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| WAUDK78T59A•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| WAUANCF57LA•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| WAULFAFR6AA•••••• | 2010 | — | — |
Each of the other 170 A5 runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 145 A5 VINs so far, most often 2025, 2023, 2024 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi A5 the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 2020 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 2008 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 6 | — | |
| 2023 | 8 | 7 | — | |
| 2021 | 8 | 7 | — | |
| 2020 | 60 | 35 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 12 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 | — | |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2014 | 26 | 18 | — | |
| 2013 | 33 | 25 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 21 | 17 | — | |
| 2010 | 29 | 25 | — | |
| 2009 | 9 | 6 | — | |
| 2008 | 4 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2020 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2008 at 1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Audi A5 owners report: Electrical System, 72 of 239 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Engine | — | 3 | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 1 | — | |
| Steering | 2 | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Structure | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 19 recall campaigns on the Audi A5; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2021. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 18V229000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 2013–2017 |
| 17V002000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 2013–2017 |
| 17V622000 | Electrical System:wiring | 2013–2016 |
| 21V295000 | Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly | 2019–2021 |
| 22V034000 | Tires | 2019–2021 |
| 21V874000 | Seats | 2018–2020 |
18V229000 was opened in 2018 on cars built from 2013: 5 years on the road before the recall.
The A5 against its rivals
The A5 draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Ford Mustang 3.9 and the Chevrolet Camaro 2. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A5 | 239 | 182 | 1.7% | |
| Ford Mustang | 8,601 | 2,222 | 7.3% | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 2,693 | 1,361 | 9.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 239 reports on the Audi A5, 1.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Audi A5 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 239 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 4 (1.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 3 (1.3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 71% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi A5 share of that is 239 complaints over 182 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Audi A5 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 239 NHTSA complaints from 182 A5 runs and 19 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which A5 production run has the most complaints?
WAUCNCF54LA, a 2020 build, with 4 complaints. The typical A5 run has 1.3.
Which A5 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2020 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 2008 lightest at 1.
Does the A5 get more complaints than the Ford Mustang?
No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the A5 against 3.9 for the Ford Mustang.
How many A5 complaints involve a crash?
1.7% of 239 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.
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