2016 Audi S5 Safety Report
2016 Audi S5: Electrical Steering Rack Error
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Audi S5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Audi S5. 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 | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (1) | 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 | Steering,Electrical System,Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Compare steering,electrical system,electronic stability control (esc) issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Audi S5 with 1 complaints and 5 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Audi S5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S5 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 S5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Audi S5 | 2 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Audi S5 | 26 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Audi S5 | 5 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Audi S5 | 25 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Audi S5 | 1 | 5 | Use as a comparable safety baseline. |
| 2023 Audi S5 | 3 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2016 Audi S5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Audi S5, 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.
Steering,Electrical System,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Electrical System,Electronic Stability Control (Esc) issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Audi S5
Reliability Score
The 2016 Audi S5 receives a reliability score of 87 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 2016 Audi S5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Audi S5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Steering Rack Error A recurring electrical steering rack error has been observed, potentially leading to driving instability. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) Malfunction ESC issues are often linked to the steering error, requiring timely diagnosis and repair. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Audi S5:
Steering issues are the most common problem reported.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Audi S5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Audi S5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
HELLO - MY 2016 AUDI S5 COUPE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS HAD AN ELECTRONIC STEERING RACK ERROR FOR SOME TIME NOW. THE ISSUE AROSE AFTER DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS (BUT NOT IN STANDING WATER). THE STEERING RACK IN MY CAR PROVIDES ELECTRONIC ASSISTANCE TO MY STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENTS WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE STEERING RACK IS LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM CAR'S MOTOR WITH THREE ELECTRICA...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Audi S5
Has the 2016 AUDI S5 been recalled?
No, the 2016 AUDI S5 has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2016 AUDI S5 have?
The 2016 AUDI S5 has 1 complaint filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 AUDI S5?
The 2016 AUDI S5 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 2016 AUDI S5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 AUDI S5 involve steering,electrical system,electronic stability control (esc) (1 complaints).
How many crash reports does the 2016 AUDI S5 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 AUDI S5 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 AUDI S5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 AUDI S5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 AUDI S5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 AUDI S5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 AUDI S5?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 AUDI S5.
Should I buy a 2016 AUDI S5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 AUDI S5 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 1 complaints, 0 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 AUDI S5?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 AUDI S5 are: 1. STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (1 complaints). STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 AUDI S5?
Have your vehicle checked by a professional to address the electrical steering rack error and ensure the electronic stability control (ESC) system is functioning properly. The 2016 AUDI S5 has 1 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 AUDI S5?
The 2016 AUDI S5 receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 1 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical steering rack error and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2016 AUDI S5?
Known issues with the 2016 AUDI S5 include: Electrical steering rack error, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 1 NHTSA complaints.
What causes the electrical steering rack error?
Causes can include electrical faults, worn components, or issues with the ESC system.
How can I prevent this issue?
Regular maintenance and timely repairs can help prevent electrical steering rack errors.
Is this issue covered under warranty?
Check your vehicle's warranty coverage for details on what is included.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Have your vehicle checked by a professional to address the electrical steering rack error and ensure the electronic stability control (ESC) system is functioning properly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Audi S5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Audi S5. The data includes 1 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 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