2025 AUDI S5

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2025 Audi S5 demonstrates a moderate reliability concern due to a recall affecting front seat belt retractors, which are crucial for passenger safety. Given that seat belts play a vital role in protecting occupants, particularly children in the back seat, this issue warrants attention.

Key Factor:Seat belt retractor issue

📋Why This Matters

The recall related to the front seat belt retractors signifies a potential risk to passenger safety, particularly for vulnerable passengers like children who rely on proper restraint during travel. Defective seat belts can compromise their effectiveness in an accident, elevating the danger of injury or worse. Safety systems must function flawlessly to protect all passengers, especially young ones in the back seat where they may be more susceptible to unrestrained hazards during an impact. Audi's engineering reputation is generally strong, but this recall indicates there’s a gap in quality control regarding this vital safety component. The impact of such defects can extend beyond just the specific model; they can affect public perception of the brand’s commitment to ensuring passenger safety across its entire lineup.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Explode
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Better than avg (1.8)
    📝
    Summary: From a safety standpoint, the 2025 Audi S5 exhibits concerning reliability trends with a notable recall that directly impacts critical safety systems. While Audi traditionally emphasizes robust engineering and quality, recurring issues like these could erode trust among families prioritizing safety.

Safety & Reliability Score

92/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-0.2
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2025 AUDI S5

Model Year2025
MakeAUDI
ModelS5
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan25
NEWProduction
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued
Aug25
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

1 complaints (25% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 4 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
1(25%)
🟡Medium
1(25%)
🟢Low
2(50%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

The peak failure range of 80k-100k miles suggests that while many owners might not experience issues immediately, significant concerns can arise as vehicles age. Families should consider evaluating their vehicle's condition closely before reaching these mileage thresholds to ensure all safety components remain reliable.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 1 of 4 complaints (25% coverage)
0-20k
0 reports (0%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
1 reports (100%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

SEAT BELTS

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Seat Belts

Issue: Potential damage to front seat belt retractors affecting functionality.

Contact your Audi dealer to schedule an inspection of your front seat belts immediately.

🔍

Request service history specifically regarding any seat belt inspections or repairs prior to purchasing.

Campaign:21V900000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your AUDI dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (1)

Campaign: 25V638000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 GTI, Golf R, Audi A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, S5, S6 Sportback E-Tron, 2026 Q4 Sportback E-Tron, and Q4 E-Tron vehicles. The torsion bar in one or both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.

Consequence

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 beginning September 26, 2025.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

4 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2025 S5.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Explode25%
Display25%
Crack25%
Dead Battery/Car25%
Accident25%
Crash/Accident25%
Steering/Suspension⚠️ High
SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Below is a detailed timeline of the problems I experienced: Intermittent starting issue Over the past few months, the car has occasionally failed to start on the first attempt. It always started on the second try, so I planned to mention it at the next service visit. Complete MMI/display blackout while driving on the highway In the middle of my trip, the entire center display and instrument cluster went completely black while I was driving at highway speed. All information disappeared (speed, fuel level, navigation, radio — everything). The car continued running, but I had no visibility into critical driving data. After pulling over and restarting the vehicle, only half the screen returned. Hours later, the second half came back on its own. Catastrophic front-right tire blowout in a remote area of Texas The following day, while driving through a very remote stretch of highway, the front-right tire suddenly exploded with a loud bang. I safely pulled over and discovered the tire was completely destroyed. No spare tire provided The trunk contained only a tire inflator kit — no spare tire or temporary spare. A new tire was required. Inadequate roadside assistance experience I called Audi Roadside Assistance twice. Both representatives appeared to be reading from a script, were located in another country, and could not understand the urgency or specifics of my situation. After repeated miscommunication, I received no meaningful help and had to resolve the situation on my own at significant personal expense. When the local tire shop inspected the vehicle, the mechanic immediately pointed out severe abnormal inner tire wear on both front tires and stated that the alignment is clearly defective. He said the left front tire was also about to fail and that the car was unsafe to drive in its current condition. Both front tires had to be replaced before I could continue.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

Known-Best Assesment-Piston Skirt Defect and Non-Disclosure of Prior Issues: Approximately only three months after purchase of a brand new 2025 Audi S5 on 6/11/25 , I received a letter from Audi of America acknowledging a potential piston skirt defect/failure resulting from faulty material and/or workmanship. They extended the part warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles but this doesn't help me feel safe driving this vehicle. I was informed the defect cannot be proactively repaired and would only be addressed after failure. This instruction is unreasonable, unsafe, and contrary to the purpose of purchasing a new vehicle. Audi has previously settled piston-related class litigation, yet no one at Audi Henderson disclosed any history of piston issues during the sale. Had I been informed of this material risk, I would not have purchased the vehicle. I now feel unable to safely or confidently use this vehicle for long-distance or out-of-state travel. Upon researching it I found this: The mileage at which a piston skirt defect will cause total failure varies widely, potentially from mere miles to tens of thousands of miles, or could last the entire life of the engine if it's a minor defect. It is highly risky to drive with a known defect, as damage accumulates over time and can lead to a complete and sudden engine failure and could lead to catastrophic, potentially deadly consequences.   Factors Affecting the Rate of Worsening :The time frame for failure depends almost entirely on the nature and severity of the initial problem, as well as driving habits. * Severity of the Defect: A small scuff might not cause issues for a long time, while a cracked or broken skirt can lead to catastrophic failure very quickly (e.g., within 5 miles or even minutes). * Maintenance: Regular oil checks and changes help manage the symptoms but cannot prevent eventual failure if the defect is significant. * Early reports: Some drivers have reported problems with low-mileage vehicles.

Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

System malfunctions for new all new 2025 Audi S5 including drive system malfunction, loose wheel, brakes limited functionality, parking break malfunction, stabilization control malfunction, driving dynamics system malfunction, hold assist malfunction.

Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I began my lease for a brand-new 2025 Audi S5 on July 14, 2025. The vehicle was delivered with a dent in the door, which the dealer repaired before I could take possession. The dent repair was completed on July 22, 2025, at which time I took delivery. On July 23, I informed my sales representative that the SOS/eCall emergency communications system was not functioning. This safety feature, designed to automatically contact emergency services after a crash, has never worked since delivery. I returned the vehicle to the selling dealer on July 28, 2025. As of August 7, 2025, the vehicle remains in the dealer’s service department awaiting repair of the SOS module. No firm completion date has been provided. This defect means the vehicle cannot automatically summon emergency assistance in the event of an accident, creating a significant safety risk to occupants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know about the safety features of the 2025 Audi S5?

The 2025 Audi S5 offers advanced safety features typical of luxury vehicles within its class, including multiple airbags and electronic stability control. However, it's essential to stay aware of recalls impacting critical components like seat belts to ensure maximum protection for all passengers.

How does the mileage impact reliability for the Audi S5?

While many believe that newer cars are free from issues earlier on, it's not uncommon for defects—especially those related to key components like brakes or restraints—to emerge around significant mileage milestones. For the Audi S5 specifically, problems often appear between 80k-100k miles. Therefore, families should take proactive steps by having their vehicles thoroughly inspected and serviced as they approach these mileage markers.

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2025 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 1 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your AUDI dealer.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in AUDI's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific S5 year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.