The most-reported S5 run is WAUVGAFH0AN (2010 builds) with 6 complaints, 4.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 17% of reports; 2010 is the worst model year at 2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for S5 model years 2011–2025.
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 S5 has 99 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every S5 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAUVGAFH0AN•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| WAUCGAFR7DA•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAUC4CF57JA•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WAUCGAFH3CN•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| WAUVGAFR6DA•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAUVGAFH7AN•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| WAUVGAFH4AN•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| WAUVGAFH8CN•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| WAUCGAFHXAN•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| WAUVGAFH8AN•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| WAUC4CF59JA•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| WAUVGAFH4CN•••••• | 2012 | — | — |
Each of the other 87 S5 runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 124 S5 VINs so far, most often 2018, 2024, 2023 builds; 3 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 S5 the gap between build years is 2×: a 2010 car draws 2 complaints per run, a 2008 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 8 | — | |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 25 | 20 | — | |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2018 | 25 | 20 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2013 | 16 | 13 | — | |
| 2012 | 10 | 7 | — | |
| 2010 | 18 | 9 | — | |
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2010 at 2 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 17% of everything Audi S5 owners report: Electrical System, 25 of 125 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | — | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 1 | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | — | — | |
| Steering | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Audi S5; the 6 below cover build years 2011 to 2025. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 21V295000 | Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly | 2019–2021 |
| 22V034000 | Tires | 2019–2021 |
| 21V874000 | Seats | 2018–2020 |
| 20V737000 | Exterior Lighting:tail Lights | 2020–2021 |
| 15V019000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail | 2011–2012 |
| 25V899000 | Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor | 2025 |
21V295000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2019: 2 years on the road before the recall.
The S5 against its rivals
The S5 draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Ford Mustang 3.9, the Chevrolet Camaro 2 and the Acura Integra 1.7. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S5 | 125 | 99 | 2.4% | |
| Ford Mustang | 8,601 | 2,222 | 7.3% | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 2,693 | 1,361 | 9.1% | |
| Acura Integra | 560 | 329 | 10% |
How serious were they
Of the 125 reports on the Audi S5, 2.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Audi S5 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 125 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 3 (2.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 59% 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 S5 share of that is 125 complaints over 99 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Audi S5 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 125 NHTSA complaints from 99 S5 runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which S5 production run has the most complaints?
WAUVGAFH0AN, a 2010 build, with 6 complaints. The typical S5 run has 1.3.
Which S5 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2010 is heaviest at 2 complaints per run and 2008 lightest at 1.
Does the S5 get more complaints than the Ford Mustang?
No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the S5 against 3.9 for the Ford Mustang.
How many S5 complaints involve a crash?
2.4% of 125 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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