NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2025 Audi S5 Sportback Safety Ratings
The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback scores 98 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Exceptional), 2 recalls, and 9 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 98/100, an exceptional score. Two recall campaigns and a small complaint file present the only notable safety concerns, against an otherwise strong defect record. The vehicle includes a full crash-avoidance technology suite.
The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback received a NHTSA Safety Index of 98 out of 100 and a 5-star NHTSA rollover rating, according to federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 90 Sedans from 2025 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback ranks 18 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
| NHTSA Safety Index | 98 / 100 (Exceptional) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.9% |
| Recalls on file | 2 |
| Owner complaints | 9 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 18 of 90 Sedans tested for 2025 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback?
The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback's defect record defines its safety profile this model year. Two seat belt retractor recalls, one for the front system and one for the rear, both issued by Volkswagen Group of America, mark a notable change from the prior year. This recall activity accounts for the vehicle's Safety Index score of 98 out of 100, a two-point decrease from the 2024 model's perfect 100. The defect record component of the index stands at 17.8 out of 20. In other areas, the 2025 S5 Sportback maintains strong performance. Crash protection scores a full 70 out of 70. Avoidance technology also achieved a complete 10 out of 10, reflecting standard inclusion of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. The complaint file shows nine unverified reports. While small for this segment, the concentration of allegations around the Electrical System and Forward Collision Avoidance technology merits observation, as these systems are integral to the vehicle's active-safety functions.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback perform in crash tests?
Rollover protection is the sole rated category for the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback. The model achieves a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in this discipline, with a 10 percent rollover risk and a passing dynamic tip test. The critical categories of overall, frontal, and side impact protection have not been rated by NHTSA for this model year.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20596
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback have any recalls?
Two recall campaigns cover the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback, both targeting seat belt retractors. The first addresses rear and other seat belt retractors across a broad Volkswagen Group lineup. The second covers front seat belt retractors in a separate multi-brand campaign. Neither campaign has been designated a park-outside or do-not-drive order based on available NHTSA data.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR25V899000
Risk: An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69D8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Reported 2025-12-19
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR25V638000
Risk: In a crash, a damaged torsion bar in a retractor could fail. If this happens, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both front seat belts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 30, 2025, and October 31, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834 or Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 69UM; Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 694T. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov b
Reported 2025-09-24
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback?
Nine owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for this model year, all unverified allegations. The most frequently cited components are the Electrical System with 5 reports and Forward Collision Avoidance with 4 reports, followed by alleged Lane Departure and Service Brake concerns. One injury has been alleged; no deaths or fires are reported.
9 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback?
Both seat belt retractor campaigns for the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback merit close attention. An open recall on a safety-critical restraint component is a concrete checklist item before purchase, not an afterthought; prospective buyers should verify that both have been remedied by running the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool.
- Two active recall campaigns specific to this model year both target seat belt retractors, front and rear, making VIN-level recall verification a priority for any 2025 S5 Sportback transaction.
- The Safety Index dropped two points from the 2024 model year's perfect 100 to 98 this year, with the entire decline attributable to the defect record component scoring 17.8 out of 20 rather than a full 20.
- NHTSA has not issued overall, frontal, or side crash-test star ratings for this model year; the only rated discipline is rollover, where the vehicle earns a perfect 5 out of 5 stars with a 10 percent rollover risk.
- Five of the nine unverified owner complaints allege Electrical System issues, and four allege Forward Collision Avoidance problems, concentrating the complaint profile around the vehicle's active-safety electronics rather than structural or powertrain concerns.
RANKINGSWhere the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback places
The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2025 Audi S5 Sportback safety questions
Was the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 98 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback earned 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 2 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 9 owner complaints are on file for the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other S5 Sportback years
Rivals in Sedan (2025)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Audi A4 Allroad | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Audi S4 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Cadillac CT5 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Polestar 2 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Subaru Impreza | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20596), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Audi S5 Sportback 2025.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 18 of 90 in the Sedan class for 2025.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.