2021 Audi A5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2021 Audi A5, and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2021 Audi A5
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Display function (back over prevention)
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…
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…
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Tires and non-powered axle assembly (suspension)
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…
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…
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Seat belts and retractor (seat belts)
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,…
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…
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Non-powered axle assembly (suspension)
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…
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…
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Tail lights (exterior lighting) and electrical system
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.
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.
8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2021 Audi A5 have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 30,148 miles. Complaints peaked in 2025 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Car began bucking at low speeds. I parked car and when I turned on ignition next day, dashboard warning indicated "Transmission malfunction" and warned me not to drive car. I had it towed to dealer. D”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 15, 2026 · Engine
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? TRANSMISSION - GEAR SHIFT How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? THE CAR STOPPED SH”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 19, 2026 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2021 Audi A5 (A5 Cabriolet quattro, A5 Sportback S line quattro, A5 Sportback quattro, A5 quattro). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 26–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 23–25 / 31–34 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars, Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
Compare Audi A5 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Audi A5 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Audi A5 | 1 | 5 |
| 2009 Audi A5 | 1 | 11 |
| 2010 Audi A5 | 0 | 34 |
| 2011 Audi A5 | 0 | 25 |
| 2012 Audi A5 | 0 | 22 |
| 2013 Audi A5 | 3 | 35 |
| 2014 Audi A5 | 3 | 28 |
| 2015 Audi A5 | 3 | 8 |
| 2016 Audi A5 | 3 | 7 |
| 2017 Audi A5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 Audi A5 | 6 | 38 |
| 2019 Audi A5 | 3 | 12 |
| 2020 Audi A5 | 4 | 60 |
| 2021 Audi A5 | 5 | 8 |
| 2022 Audi A5 | 2 | 7 |
| 2023 Audi A5 | 0 | 8 |
| 2024 Audi A5 | 0 | 8 |
| 2025 Audi A5 | 2 | 8 |
| 2026 Audi A5 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2021 Audi A5
How do I know if my 2021 Audi A5 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2021 Audi A5; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Audi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 20V737000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Audi models
- A42,895 complaints
- A61,658 complaints
- Q51,342 complaints
- Q71,047 complaints
- A3731 complaints
- S4588 complaints
- TT319 complaints
- A4 Allroad252 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.