MODEL
Audi A5
NHTSA safety across every Audi A5 model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Audi A5 we cover (2019 to 2026), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 16 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Audi A5 is a premium European coupe and sportback that competes in the luxury compact segment, targeting buyers who prioritize style, refinement, and driving engagement over pure practicality. Offered in both two-door coupe and five-door Sportback configurations, it sits above the A4 sedan in Audi's lineup and draws shoppers who want a more expressive, driver-focused alternative to mainstream luxury crossovers.
From a pure safety-data standpoint, the Audi A5 presents a notable gap for informed shoppers: NHTSA has not crash-tested this model during any of the model years we cover, 2019 through 2025. That means there are no federal star ratings to lean on, and buyers cannot benchmark this vehicle against segment competitors the way they might with a more thoroughly tested car. That absence alone is worth pausing on. Across those seven model years, NHTSA records show 16 recalls affecting the A5. That figure is not alarming for a complex, technology-rich European luxury vehicle over a multi-year span, but it does indicate that Audi has had to issue corrective actions with some regularity. Shoppers should verify whether any open recalls apply to a specific vehicle using NHTSA's VIN lookup tool before purchase. Owner complaints total 99 across the covered period, a relatively modest number given the model's sales volume and age range. Within those complaints, two involved reported crashes and one involved a reported fatality. These are unverified allegations as submitted to NHTSA, not confirmed findings, but they are part of the public record and deserve acknowledgment. The honest bottom line: the A5 is a genuinely compelling luxury coupe and sportback, but the lack of federal crash-test data means safety-conscious shoppers are working without one of the most important tools available. Confirm recall status and weigh that testing gap seriously.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Audi A5 as one of the more polished and visually distinctive entries in the luxury compact segment, praising its interior quality, composed ride, and strong engine options. Most consider it a rewarding choice for buyers who value aesthetics and driving character, though some note that rivals offer more interior space or a more engaging driving experience at comparable price points.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the A5 in any model year from 2019 through 2025, so there are no federal star ratings available to guide your safety comparison against competitors.
- Sixteen recalls have been issued across the 2019 to 2025 model years. Before buying any specific A5, use NHTSA's free VIN lookup tool to confirm whether that vehicle has any open, unresolved recall actions.
- Owner complaints filed with NHTSA include two reported crashes and one reported fatality across the covered years. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but they are part of the official federal complaint record.
- The absence of crash-test data does not mean the A5 is unsafe, but it does mean shoppers cannot make an apples-to-apples safety comparison using NHTSA ratings. Consider looking at IIHS test results separately to get some independent crash-performance context.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Audi A5 with 5 recalls.