Before you buy
This 2021 Audi A5 has 7 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Uncategorized Issues.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2021 Audi A5 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2021 Audi A5 trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2021 Audi A5 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
AUDI A5 2021 has 7 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls, with top issues in Uncategorized and Electrical categories. No crash complaints were reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Audi
- Model
- A5
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 7
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Uncategorized Issues
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 27
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 24 / 31
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2021 Audi A5 problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Uncategorized Issues
Electrical Faults
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Uncategorized Issues, Electrical Faults, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2021 Audi A5?
The 2021 Audi A5 may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the low complaint count does not guarantee reliability. Proceed with caution and ensure all recalls are addressed.
Even a small number of complaints can indicate potential issues, and 5 recalls mean pre-purchase verification of recall completion is essential.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize a low complaint count and are willing to perform thorough pre-purchase checks.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a proven, high-confidence reliability record may want to avoid this year due to limited data.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2021 Audi A5
Inspection Focus
- Check for any unresolved electrical system issues.
- Inspect transmission and drivetrain for unusual noises or behavior.
- Verify all 5 recalls have been performed.
Before You Close the Deal
- Investigate any Uncategorized Issues reported by previous owners.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and transmission components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Audi A5, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Audi A5 shows a low number of owner complaints (7 total) and 5 recalls. The top complaint categories are Uncategorized Issues and Electrical Faults, each with 2 complaints. No crash-related complaints were reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, the 2021 has very few complaints, but the low sample size makes direct comparisons unreliable.
Recall context: With 5 recalls, it is critical to verify that all recall repairs have been completed before purchase.
- Uncategorized Issues account for 2 of the 7 total complaints.
- Electrical Faults also account for 2 complaints.
- There are 5 recalls for the 2021 model year.
- Uncategorized Issues (2 complaints)
- Electrical Faults (2 complaints)
- Transmission / Drivetrain (1 complaint)
Full breakdown
All 2021 Audi A5 complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Audi A5. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Audi A5. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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'…
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…
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 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…
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…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Audi A5.
Safety recalls
2021 Audi A5 recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi A5. With 5 recalls, it is critical to verify that all recall repairs have been completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
TIRES
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2021 Audi A5 buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Audi A5 reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 7 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Audi A5 may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the low complaint count does not guarantee reliability. Proceed with caution and ensure all recalls are addressed. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi A5?▾
#1: Uncategorized Issues (2 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (2 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (1 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Audi A5?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Audi A5?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Audi A5, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 7 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Audi A5 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Audi A5. A major recall area is SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR. With 5 recalls, it is critical to verify that all recall repairs have been completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Audi A5?▾
The 2021 Audi A5 may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the low complaint count does not guarantee reliability. Proceed with caution and ensure all recalls are addressed. Even a small number of complaints can indicate potential issues, and 5 recalls mean pre-purchase verification of recall completion is essential. Pay extra attention to Uncategorized Issues during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Audi A5 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Audi A5 based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.