Head-to-head reliability
AUDI S5 vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI S5 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI S5 vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the S5 has 72 complaints (7.2/year) and 20 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The S5's top issues are electrical and engine; the Camry's are power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI S5 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI S5
The Audi S5 is a performance coupe/sedan with a pattern of electronic and engine complaints. Over 10 years, it has 72 complaints (7.2 per year) and 20 recalls, with 2 crash-related reports and 2 injuries. Owners frequently report infotainment reboots and engine issues, suggesting that living with an S5 may require patience with electrical gremlins and potential engine repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher volume of complaints: 2,056 over 10 years (205.6 per year) and 31 recalls, including 171 crash-related and 158 injuries. Common issues involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and brake noises. While the Camry is known for reliability, the data shows that some owners experience significant problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI S5 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 72 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI S5
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
- 03ENGINE14
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE14
- 05BACK OVER PREVENTION12
Owners report the MMI infotainment system spontaneously reboots while driving, causing the screen to go black and disabling the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation. This can happen every 60-90 seconds, which is distracting and could compromise safety when reversing.
Some owners describe engine failure, such as a 2018 S5 with 86,000 miles that would not start due to camshaft and crankshaft issues, and another complaint about latent piston skirt and rocker arm defects. These are serious and potentially expensive repairs.
Complaints link the MMI reboots to forward collision avoidance, as the system restarts and may disable safety features like backup camera and parking sensors. This means advanced driver aids can become unavailable without warning.
The same infotainment reboots cause loss of the backup camera and rear cross-traffic detection, making it harder to see behind the car when reversing. This is a recurring safety concern for owners.
“The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation, become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload…”
“"The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation, become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reloa…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues such as the ignition key becoming stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with the check engine light on. These can leave drivers stranded or cause delayed acceleration.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds before the car moves, and shuddering at various speeds. This hesitation could be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
Some owners experience the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that dealers say is common. Brake issues are critical for safety.
Multiple systems can malfunction at once, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. This suggests complex electronic faults that may be hard to diagnose.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI S5 — 20 recalls
The defect: 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, R…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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 custome…
The defect: 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…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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-…
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.
The defect: 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,…
The risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 4…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
AUDI S5 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi S5 has far fewer complaints per year (7.2 vs. 205.6) and fewer recalls (20 vs. 31), but both have serious issues. In practice, the S5's lower volume means you're less likely to encounter a complaint, but the Camry's higher volume reflects its much larger sales, so the rate per vehicle may be similar. The Camry has more crash-related reports and injuries, but the S5 has engine failures that can be costly.
Key differences
- The Audi S5's most common complaint is infotainment reboots that disable backup camera and safety systems, while the Toyota Camry's top issue is power train problems like stuck keys and hesitation.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, compared to the S5's 2 crash-related and 2 injuries, though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- The S5 has 20 recalls including seat belts, tires, and back over prevention display, while the Camry has 31 recalls including wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
- Engine complaints on the S5 include catastrophic failures like piston skirt defects, whereas Camry engine complaints often involve hesitation and shuddering.
- Check for infotainment system reboots by test-driving and observing if the screen resets; also verify backup camera and parking sensors work consistently.
- Listen for engine noises and check for camshaft/crankshaft codes; a pre-purchase inspection should include a scan for stored engine fault codes.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it may indicate a power train defect requiring battery disconnect.
- Check for delayed throttle response and shuddering during acceleration; also listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- During the test drive, specifically test the infotainment system (S5) and the ignition key removal (Camry) for the reported issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including scanning for engine and transmission fault codes.
- For the S5, verify that all driver assistance features (backup camera, forward collision warning) function without rebooting.
- For the Camry, test the electronic parking brake and listen for abnormal brake noises during stops.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI S5 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 11 | 163 |
| 2024 | 2 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 1 | 157 |
| 2020 | 25 | 274 |
| 2019 | 6 | 395 |
| 2018 | 26 | 744 |
| 2017 | 0 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI S5 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI S5 vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI S5 total complaints
- 72
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- AUDI S5 total recalls
- 20
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI S5 avg complaints/year
- 7.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI S5
- AUDI S5 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN