2021 Audi A5 Safety Report
2021 Audi A5 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Audi A5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Audi A5. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (7) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Audi A5 with 2 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Audi A5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi A5 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi A5 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi A5 | 60 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Audi A5 | 8 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Audi A5 | 12 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Audi A5 | 6 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Audi A5 | 2 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Audi A5 | 2 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Audi A5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Audi A5, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyElectrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyPower Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlyAir Bags,Seats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seats issues Audi onlyForward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Audi A5
Reliability Score
The 2021 Audi A5 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2021 Audi A5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Audi A5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Failure Transmission failure has been reported, with warning lights indicating potential issues. Regular maintenance is advised. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Passenger Side Air Bag Indicator Malfunction The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on, even when no passenger is present. This could indicate a malfunction. |
Low | Common | 0 miles |
| Pre Sense Technology Malfunction Pre sense technology has been reported to cause false braking, potentially leading to accidents. Ensure the system is functioning correctly. |
Medium | Rare | 0 miles |
| Back Over Prevention System Back over prevention system recalls have been issued, indicating potential issues with the system's functionality. |
High | Common | 0 miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Audi A5:
Transmission failure has been reported, with warning lights indicating potential issues. Regular maintenance is advised.
The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on, even when no passenger is present. This could indicate a malfunction.
Pre sense technology has been reported to cause false braking, potentially leading to accidents. Ensure the system is functioning correctly.
Back over prevention system recalls have been issued, indicating potential issues with the system's functionality.
Recall Details for the 2021 Audi A5
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Audi A5 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 rear...
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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 ear...
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).
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Audi A5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Audi A5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 SHIFTING GEARS AND WE WHEN THE CAR INSTRUCTED US TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY IT WASN'T A SAFE PLACE TO STOP THE CAR. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? ...
The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on in my Audi no matter if there is or is not a passenger in the seat. I took my vehicle to an authorized Audi service center to have the issue checked and they determined the issue to be a failed pods mat based on the error code returned. Upon researching, I’ve discovered that this issue was a safety recall issue with Audi A5 Sportback...
I was driving down the interstate when my Warning Transmission Failure light came on. Then another message said you can drive with limited use if vehicle. Seconds later the Warning Transmission Failure light came on again and said drive to your nearest repair shop. Moments later the Warning came on and said safely stop your vehicle. I pulled over on the side of the road and pit my car in park. Aft...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A5. The contact stated while the driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel was blinking on and off several times and then went dark. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer was waiting for the parts to repair the ...
There was no damage caused. The audi pre sense technology (automatic braking) has come close to causing several accidents by braking extremely hard when there has been no reason to brake.
My vehicle was repaired pursuant to rearview/backup camera recall (22V742000). Unfortunately, the issue has again arisen and the backup camera alternates between a white screen, a black screen and a frozen screen.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, after shifting from reverse to drive the vehicle lost all power. The contact stated that various warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as the gateway under the rear seat was wet. The gateway and battery...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Audi A5
Has the 2021 AUDI A5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 AUDI A5 has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 AUDI A5 have?
The 2021 AUDI A5 has 7 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 AUDI A5?
The 2021 AUDI A5 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 AUDI A5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 AUDI A5 involve unknown or other (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), power train (1 complaints). Other affected components include air bags,seats, forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2021 AUDI A5 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 AUDI A5 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 AUDI A5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 AUDI A5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 AUDI A5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI A5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 AUDI A5?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI A5.
Should I buy a 2021 AUDI A5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 AUDI A5 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 7 complaints, 5 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 AUDI A5?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 AUDI A5 are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (1 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS,SEATS (1 complaints), 5. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 AUDI A5?
Regularly inspect and maintain your 2021 Audi A5 to ensure all safety systems are functioning properly. The 2021 AUDI A5 has 7 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2021 AUDI A5?
The 2021 AUDI A5 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 7 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Transmission Failure and Passenger Side Air Bag Indicator Malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2021 AUDI A5?
Known issues with the 2021 AUDI A5 include: Transmission Failure, Passenger Side Air Bag Indicator Malfunction, Pre Sense Technology Malfunction, Back Over Prevention System. These are based on patterns found across 7 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues reported for the 2021 Audi A5?
Common issues include transmission failure, passenger side air bag indicator malfunctions, and pre sense technology malfunctions.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Audi A5?
Yes, recalls have been issued for back over prevention systems, tires, seat belts, and exterior lighting.
What should I do if I experience transmission failure in my 2021 Audi A5?
Have the vehicle inspected by a professional to diagnose and address the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Regularly inspect and maintain your 2021 Audi A5 to ensure all safety systems are functioning properly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Audi A5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Audi A5. The data includes 7 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13