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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-AUDI-S5NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Audi
2021 Audi S5 problems
The 2021 Audi S5 has 5 active recall campaigns on file and only 1 owner complaint in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.
The 2021 Audi S5 has 1 NHTSA owner complaint and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Limited NHTSA data — only 1 complaint on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily. 5 active recalls on file.
0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 S5?
Not enough data for a verdict
Only 1 NHTSA complaint on file — too few for a confident call. The 5 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2021 S5· suspension
The contact owns a 2021 Audi S5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V295000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet…
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File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Limited NHTSA data. Only 1 owner complaint has been filed for the 2021 Audi S5, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2021 Audi S5?
Only 1 NHTSA complaint on file — too few for a confident call. The 5 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2021 Audi S5 without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Audi S5?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2021 Audi S5 to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2021 Audi S5 a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 1 owner complaint has been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Audi S5?
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 S5 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 S5?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 1 complaint on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Audi/S5.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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