MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

MODEL

Audi Rs5

NHTSA safety across every Audi Rs5 model year we cover.

Across the 1 model year of the Audi Rs5 we cover (2019 to 2019), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 4 recalls have been issued across those years.

THE MOTORCALIBER REVIEW
MotorCaliber editorial Reviewed against NHTSA data 2026-07-03

The 2019 Audi RS5 is a high-performance luxury sport coupe aimed at enthusiasts who want serious driving capability wrapped in a refined, premium package. Competing in the upper tier of the sports coupe segment, the RS5 targets buyers who prioritize performance and prestige and expect their vehicle to back that up with solid safety credentials. Whether it delivers on that last point is worth examining closely.

The 2019 Audi RS5 arrives with a significant gap in its safety profile: NHTSA did not crash-test this model year, meaning there are no federal star ratings or Safety Index scores to anchor a confidence assessment. For a vehicle at this price point and performance level, that absence is notable. Shoppers cannot lean on government crash data when making their decision, which puts more weight on the other signals available. On the recall front, the 2019 RS5 carries 4 recalls across the model year we cover. That is a meaningful number for a single model year, and buyers should verify that any prospective purchase has had all recall-related work completed through a franchised Audi dealer before taking ownership. On the complaint side, NHTSA received only 3 owner complaints for this model year, with zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among those filings. That low complaint volume is a modestly reassuring data point, though it reflects a low-volume, premium-segment vehicle and these remain unverified allegations. The honest bottom line: the RS5 is a compelling performance machine, but its 2019 safety picture is incomplete. The lack of crash-test data combined with four recalls means buyers should do their homework before signing.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the 2019 RS5 for its blend of everyday usability and sharp, engaging performance, highlighting its composed ride and upscale interior. Most consider it a strong all-around sports coupe for those willing to pay the premium, though some note that the experience can feel more polished than viscerally exciting compared to rivals.

WHAT TO KNOW
  • NHTSA did not crash-test the 2019 RS5, so there are no federal star ratings available for this model year. Buyers cannot rely on government crash-test scores when evaluating this vehicle's structural safety.
  • The 2019 RS5 has 4 NHTSA recalls on record. Before purchasing any used example, confirm through NHTSA's recall lookup tool and the selling dealer that every open recall has been remedied.
  • Owner complaints to NHTSA for this model year total just 3, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among those filings. While reassuring, the RS5 is a low-volume model, so complaint counts are naturally smaller and should be interpreted with that context in mind.
  • Because this model was not crash-tested by NHTSA, shoppers seeking third-party crash data may want to research whether the RS5 was evaluated by IIHS during this period, as that could provide additional structural safety context not available through federal sources.

Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Audi Rs5 with 4 recalls.

BY YEARRs5 by model year