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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-AUDI-A5
2021 · audi

audi A5 problems

1 safety recall. 7 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.8 / 10

Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 A5 · airbags
The passenger side air bag indicator constantly turns off and on in my Audi no matter if there is or is not a passenger in the seat. I took my vehicle to an authorized Audi service center to have the issue checked and they determined the issue to be a failed pods mat based on…
12/28/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707412.0
2021 A5 · other
I was driving down the interstate when my Warning Transmission Failure light came on. Then another message said you can drive with limited use if vehicle. Seconds later the Warning Transmission Failure light came on again and said drive to your nearest repair shop. Moments later…
11/19/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11700320.0
2021 A5 · electrical
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, after shifting from reverse to drive the vehicle lost all power. The contact stated that various warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle…
11/09/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11439892.0
2021 A5 · electrical
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A5. The contact stated while the driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel was blinking on and off several times and then went dark. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the…
06/17/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11667401.0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 20V737000 25/11/2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2021 Audi A5 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Audi A5 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Audi A5?

No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.

How do I check if my Audi A5 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Audi A5?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 7 complaints on file, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 18 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with audi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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