NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Audi S5 Safety Record
The 2020 Audi S5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 4 recalls and 25 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 Audi S5 was not subjected to NHTSA's full crash-testing program, leaving it without an overall safety rating or any subcategory star ratings from the federal agency. This absence of crash-test data precludes the calculation of a Safety Index score for the model. The record does show a Light recall and complaint burden band. Four distinct recall campaigns were issued for the 2020 S5, addressing potential issues with tires, seats, suspension components, and tail lights. Additionally, 25 unverified owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA. None of these complaints report crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities. While this information provides insight into post-sale issues, it is not a substitute for comprehensive crash-test performance data.
The 2020 Audi S5 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries four recall campaigns and a Light recall-and-complaint burden band, according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 4 |
| Owner complaints | 25 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Audi S5?
The 2020 Audi S5 was not subjected to NHTSA crash testing, leaving a gap in federal safety ratings for this model. This absence of data means crucial insights into occupant protection in frontal, side, and rollover scenarios are unavailable. The Safety Desk's analysis places the S5 in the Light recall and complaint burden band, indicating a lower volume of federal recall campaigns and owner-reported allegations compared to many other vehicles. Four distinct recalls have been issued for the 2020 S5, addressing tire integrity, seat components, the rear suspension axle assembly, and exterior tail lighting. While none of these categories are trivial, the recalls concerning the suspension and lighting systems are particularly relevant, as they directly impact vehicle control and visibility. Owner complaints, totaling 25 unverified allegations, predominantly focus on the Electrical System and driver-assistance technologies. Specifically, issues with Back Over Prevention and Forward Collision Avoidance are highlighted. These systems are central to preventing low-speed collisions and intersection incidents, making their consistent function critical. It is notable that these 25 reports contain no recorded crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. No sibling model years are available in the data to provide a comparative crash-safety reference for this generation of the S5.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Audi S5 have any recalls?
The 2020 Audi S5 is named in four NHTSA recall campaigns: a tire recall covering certain 2019-2021 Audi models, a seat recall spanning certain 2017-2020 Audi A4 and related vehicles, a rear suspension axle assembly recall, and a tail-light recall affecting certain 2020-2021 A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback vehicles. None of the four campaigns carried a park-outside or do-not-drive advisory in the data provided. Owners should verify open status by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
TIRES22V034000
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Reported 2022-01-26
SEATS21V874000
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
Reported 2021-11-10
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY21V295000
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Reported 2021-04-26
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS20V737000
Risk: Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
Reported 2020-11-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Audi S5?
The 2020 Audi S5 has 25 unverified consumer allegations on file with NHTSA. The most frequently reported components are the Electrical System, followed by Unknown or Other, Back Over Prevention, Forward Collision Avoidance, and Lane Departure. These are unverified allegations, not established findings.
25 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Audi S5?
Four recall campaigns have been issued for the 2020 Audi S5. Before purchase, any shopper considering this model should confirm that all necessary repairs have been completed by checking the specific vehicle's VIN through the free NHTSA recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov.
- The 2020 Audi S5 has no NHTSA crash-test score and no star ratings; the absence of a test is not a safety signal in either direction.
- Four recall campaigns are on record for this model year, covering tires, seats, rear suspension axle assembly, and tail lights; open status on any specific vehicle must be confirmed by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
- Of the 25 unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 14 allege Electrical System issues and 11 allege Back Over Prevention concerns, making driver-assistance system behavior the most prominent complaint theme for this model year.
- The complaint file for this model year records zero crashes, zero fires, zero injuries, and zero deaths among the 25 unverified allegations on file, with the most recent report dated in 2025.
FAQ2020 Audi S5 safety questions
Was the 2020 Audi S5 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 4 recalls and 25 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Audi S5 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Audi S5. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Audi S5?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 25 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Audi S5. 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.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Audi S5 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- 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.