Audi S5 Best and Worst Years (Quick Facts!)

Audi has yet to concentrate on battling Mercedes-AMG or BMW’s M division years. The last Audi model sold in the United States that could compete with its German rivals, aside from the R8, was the B7 RS4 from 2005.

Since then, the emphasis on other factors—like daily usability and comfort over lap times—has changed for Audi vehicles, including its high-performance RS-badged versions.

In addition, they strive for a Mr. Rogers mentality rather than the scruffy, I’m-trying-to-kill-you demeanor of over-500-horsepower vehicles.

It’s beneficial to have a car that won’t try to murder you or encourage you to race the Nissan Altima driver weaving through traffic in the real world, where there are potholes, deer, and speed limits.

The 2023 Audi S5 Sportback is ideal for the real world and its difficulties.

Do you like Audi? Get the list of the Most Reliable Audi Models

VIDEO: Audi S5 Coupe V8

Audi S5 Best and Worst Years

The best and worst years of the Audi S5 are hotly debated. There aren’t any bad S5 model years, so instead, you should search for prior owners who carried out all advised maintenance. According to a review, the S5 is the sixth most reliable Audi model out of 31, and owners have reported eight complaints over 14 model years, most of which concern gearbox problems. The 2012 and 2011 models are among the top Audi S5s ever, according to a list of the best ones. According to a forum post, if you want an S5 with balanced and enjoyable handling, the 2010 NA version—the final coupe equipped with the 4.2 V8—is one of the finest years to buy. The Audi S5 is ranked 30th out of 31 luxury midsize cars with a reliability rating of 2.0 out of 5.0.

Take a look in this articles:

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Years of Reliable Audi S5 Models

Besides the three versions we’ve already discussed, you can pick almost any model if you’re seeking a dependable Audi S5.

After all, Audi did a fantastic job ensuring that this car was highly effective and durable and that it met all performance requirements for a luxury car.

Instead of listing every trustworthy Audi S5 model, we’ll say that the 2013-2015 versions should be avoided.

Other than that, there’s a good possibility you’re buying one of the most dependable cars on the market right now.

Years of the Audi S5 You Should Avoid

There is some good news if you come here to determine whether the Audi S5 is a reliable luxury car to add to your collection.

The S5 has been popular and reliable, like other Audi lines. There aren’t many Audi S5 model years to steer clear of, and even the least desirable ones still receive outstanding performance ratings.

After all, what type of premium vehicle has numerous significant defects or engineering issues?

Despite this, there have been a few years where the S5 has also yet to perform. Each of these years performed much better than the average despite having slightly lower performance ratings or a higher rate of issues.

• 2013
• 2014
• 2015

All three of these models were released one after the other during this challenging span of a few years, and they shared many of the same issues.

That’s partly because Audi often doesn’t make significant modifications between model years, which helps avoid issues like these.

Yet, even after three years, the performance was still much more excellent than that of most other cars, and it took the manufacturer only a short time to address the issue.

The performance was so excellent that we used issues across all S5 models in the following section. Although there were more reported issues over these three years, few issues jump out as being exclusive to these years.

Typical Issues with the Audi S5

It’s important to remember that in this section, the term “common” only refers to other Audi S5 variants. Compared to other automobiles, each of these issues is relatively uncommon. Yet, they are all issues that merit being on the lookout for.

Let’s look more closely.

Little Coolant

Even though it initially seems to be a relatively minor issue, this is one of the most critical issues an Audi S5 might experience. Low coolant levels can be challenging to detect, and your car may run low on coolant for a long time before you realize there’s an issue.

And to make matters worse, if you wait too long to add fresh coolant to the system, you risk the engine overheating.

The Audi S5’s low coolant issues can be caused by various issues, including the fact that the engine barely uses any coolant.

Yet, this is a controllable issue as long as you occasionally check your coolant levels.

Uncomfortably warm air conditioning

The Audi S5’s air conditioner frequently fails to deliver ice-cold air as it should.

The A/C system in all cars eventually needs to be recharged. Thus the Audi S5 is by no means the only car with this issue. However, certain S5s are likelier to experience this issue than others, and several issues may be to blame.

The issue is typically relatively minor and can be remedied immediately or by giving the A/C more frequent recharges.

Faulty seat adjustments

Since the recorded memory of the seat is the main source of the issue, comfort is the primary concern. Unfortunately, your Audi S5 may occasionally “forget” its configured settings and refuse to switch to pre-set settings automatically.

As there is often no simple solution for this because it frequently points to a computer issue, most users stop using the memory system and adjust the seat using the electric controls. The controls for the seat still function usually.

Transmission Issues

The air suspension of the Audi S5 frequently fails to perform as intended. When this occurs, the ride is typically slightly rougher than it should be, but there is no immediate component breakdown or another fixable issue.

Instead, it appears that only a tiny minority of S5s on the market have a suspension system that doesn’t perform as well as it should.

Blowing the turbo

The final issue is most likely the most critical one for the Audi S5, both in terms of the severity of the issue and the cost of fixing it.

The turbo in the S5 is notorious for blowing out without much notice. Even while the turbo failing is still a very uncommon problem, it can be dangerous and expensive to fix if it does happen to you.

Which Used Audi S5 Models Are Reputable?

When it comes to the S5, much like the majority of Audi automobiles, the best-used models should be determined by examining each vehicle in detail.

However, it’s more crucial to look into the maintenance and accident history of any used S5 you’re contemplating because even the Audi S5 years to stay away from are high-performance, high-quality automobiles.

There are relatively decent S5 model years, so instead, you should search for past owners who followed all maintenance guidelines, changed the oil frequently, and maintained good records.

Moreover, watch for autos that have never been in an accident.

How Safe is an Audi S5?

You may also like reading this article Audi RS5 Best and Worst Years (Quick Facts!)

The Audi S5 is a safe vehicle to drive, thanks to its numerous safety features. The 2021 and 2023 models offer six airbags as standard equipment, including dual-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger.

Rear side airbags are an optional extra. The Audi S5 Sportback has received a 5-star safety certification, the highest possible.

For the 2021 Audi S5, the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) assigns crash test ratings.

In addition, the front collision warning system in the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback has been given a general evaluation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

How Can You Tell Whether Something Is a Lemon?

Purchase a vehicle history report.

There is no better initial step when purchasing a used car than to obtain a car history report. Two well-known services offer this information for little money: Anyone looking to purchase a used car will find the information provided by CarFax and AutoCheck extremely helpful.

The reports let you know the number of past owners, whether or not it had any accidents, how frequently it required maintenance, and the current title.

The final section is among the most crucial since it contains the lemon label, which attests that the car followed the correct legal procedures to be designated as a lemon.

However, in some areas, dealers must inform a customer if the vehicle is a manufacturer buyback, which is a reliable way to determine whether a vehicle has a lemon title.

However, it is the responsibility of the buyer to conduct a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s history.

Therefore, consumers may need help if they accidentally purchase a secondhand lemon because they must inspect it first.

Owner Background

You can view the owner’s history on the vehicle history report, which should indicate whether the manufacturer has purchased the vehicle back.

While owners can claim a car is a lemon in a legal dispute and ask the automaker to buy back the problematic vehicle, that is a guaranteed technique to determine if the car was labeled a lemon.

You can also determine if the vehicle was sold or traded before it was given a lemon tag if the prior owner may have missed an issue. It also implies that the car’s persistent issue must be apparent.

Repair Record

Look carefully at the vehicle’s repair record and try to identify any recurring issues. Recurring problems in cars with lemon histories are simple to spot.

You can determine whether the issues with the car are minor wear and tear concerns, such as those with the clutch or brakes, or a more severe problem.

Check to discover if the repairs were necessary or carried out even when the car was brand new. It can assist in determining whether the car is a lemon or if an incident like a collision or modification caused a misdiagnosed issue.

Are the repairs significant or minor? A severe repair would deal with the drivetrain or suspension, whereas a superficial one would address non-driving-related issues like window or seat controls.

Severe repairs would be more challenging, but handling a car might not be a hassle if a car was considered a lemon for a less severe cause.

The report also shows whether repairs are being made at a dealership or a general shop. Like you would with any used car, examine the vehicle’s general condition and health and determine whether routine maintenance has also been carried out.

This will assist you in deciding whether or not you should consider purchasing this car.

Inspection before purchase

Is the car still a good investment? You should get a pre-purchase inspection if the flaws are not too concerning or if you believe the automobile may have been incorrectly labeled as a lemon.

A mechanic can determine whether the problems are repairable and why the car was considered a lemon.

A technician can assist you in determining whether or not a recurring issue is indicative of more severe problems or worries about the quality of the vehicle.

Their satisfaction with the car might help determine if it is a worthwhile investment or a lost cause.

Audi S5 FAQ’s

Which Audi S5 is the most trustworthy?

Years of Reliable Audi S5 Models

Instead of listing every trustworthy Audi S5 model, we’ll just say that the 2013-2015 versions are to be avoided. Other than that, there’s a good possibility you’re buying one of the most dependable cars on the market right now.

Is the Audi S5 a wise purchase?

The Audi S5 Sportback is a dependable daily driver for 2022. The four-door S5 is fantastic for all the purposes you’ll actually use it for. Audi doesn’t produce purely driving machines. Even the most dedicated RS-badged Audis choose ease of cruising and comfort to agility in turns and track performance.

Is the 2010 Audi S5 dependable?

The Audi S5 ranks 30th out of 31 luxury midsize cars based on its 2.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating. It has high ownership expenses due to the $1,164 average yearly repair cost.

Reliability of 3.0 T engine in Audi S5?

The 3.0T engine from Audi continues to be one of the most dependable engines available today despite the extensive list of problems described above. This 3.0T engine is a rock-solid performer, in contrast to earlier 3.0T engines that frequently had thermostat and water pump leaks.

Which S-model Audi is the most dependable?

Audi A3. The third-generation Audi A3 served as the perfect compact hatchback (or small sedan) on the new and used car markets for seven years. This high-end hatchback has cutting-edge technology, a stylish interior, powerful engines, and an amazingly well-balanced chassis. It’s also the most dependable Audi you can purchase.