Audi S5 Reliability Problems

S5 owners have made 8 complaints over 14 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 6th in overall reliability out of 19 Audi models, with real transmission and engine concerns.

The Most Common S5 Problem

A list of some of the most common issues S5 owners have to deal with.

  1. DSG Transmission Shifting

    Audi's DSG transmissions have multiple problems resulting in violent shaking as it shifts between gears. A class-action lawsuit says the problem is expecially prevelant while accelerating or slowing down through 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. Audi…

    Continue reading article "DSG Transmission Shifting" An three-quarters front view of a VW gearbox"

  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue An three-quarters front view of a VW gearbox"

What S5 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

S5 Generations

The S5 has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (2008–2017).

S5 Key Numbers

  1. 8 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 852 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 3 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

S5 Class-Action Lawsuits

The S5 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

    2:2017cv05086

    1. Case Filed

      An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.

    2. Dismissed

      The case was voluntarily dismissed in November 2017 after a motion to dismiss by Audi was filed earlier that same month.

    Problem
    Start-Stop Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2013-2017 A3
    • 2013-2017 A4
    • 2013-2017 A5
    • 2013-2017 A6
    • 2013-2017 A7
    • 2013-2017 A8
    • 2013-2017 S3
    • 2013-2017 S4
    • 2013-2017 S5
    • 2013-2017 S6
    • 2013-2017 S7
    • 2013-2017 S8
    • 2013-2017 RS 5
    • 2013-2017 RS 7
    • 2013-2017 allroad
    • 2013-2017 Q3
    • 2013-2017 Q5
    • 2013-2017 Q7
    • 2013-2017 SQ5
    • 2013-2017 TT
    • 2013-2017 TTS
    • 2013-2017 TT RS
    • 2013-2017 R8
    Location
    California

Recent S5 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. The lead plaintiff in Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. says a design defect in Audi's start-stop system allows vehicles to rollaway.

    The rollaways happen because the start-stop system won't deactivate if the driver takes off their seat belt for any reason while the vehicle is stopped.

    To make matters worse if that the system won't work even if the driver re-buckled their seat belts.

    keep reading article "Does Audi's Start-Stop Technology Allow Vehicles to Accidentally Roll Away?"

  3. Step aside, diesel owners – a new class-action lawsuit with up to 100 plaintiffs says Audi also installed "defeat devices" on gas engines to mask CO2 emissions.

    The lawsuit says illegal CO2 defeat devices were installed on Audi vehicles equipped with 8HP55 “AL 551” and DL 501-7Q “DL 501” transmissions, with the AL 551 transmissions manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen.…

    keep reading article "Again? Lawsuit Says Audi Installed Defeat Devices on Gas Engines Too"

  5. During a crash, a seat belt's pretensioner pulls in on the belt to help keep you safe.

    But the pretensioner in the 2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet is anything but safe according to CarComplaints.com:

    "the micro-gas generator within the pretensioner could detach during a crash and become a dangerous projectile."

    Seat belt missiles? That's a new one. The pretensioner recall is expected to begin in May 2017.

    keep reading article "Seat Belt Retractor Recall"

Other Audi Models