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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 Audi A5 is associated with 8 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is POWER TRAIN,ENGINE, accounting for 2 reports (25% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl and 3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 20 to 26 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2016 Audi A5 belongs to the 1st generation (Typ 8T/8F) A5 platform spanning model years 2015–2017.

Platform Architecture: 1st Generation (Typ 8T/8F) • Production Span: 2015–2017 • Platform Code: MLB • Lifecycle Note: Facelift (2013–2017)
Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 8 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (2 / 25%)
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: Not rated by NHTSA
  • • EPA Certified Range: 20–26 MPG across 6 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Audi A5?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
A5 quattro 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 22 MPG 32 MPG 26 MPG — $2,900 / yr
A5 quattro 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) 21 MPG 30 MPG 24 MPG — $3,150 / yr
A5 Cabriolet quattro 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) 21 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $3,150 / yr
S5 3L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) 18 MPG 28 MPG 21 MPG — $3,600 / yr
S5 Cabriolet 3L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) 18 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $3,600 / yr
S5 3L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 17 MPG 26 MPG 20 MPG — $3,800 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Audi A5?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
2 DR AWD —
C AWD —
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Audi A5 models.
View complete 2016 Audi A5 crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Audi A5?

Summary of 8 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
8
Crash Reports
0
Fire Reports
0
Complaints w/ Injury
0
Total Injuries
0

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 complaint

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Audi A5 problems & component breakdown (7 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Audi A5?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #18V229000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
NHTSA Campaign #17V622000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
NHTSA Campaign #17V002000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
View all 2016 Audi A5 recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Audi A5

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Audi A5

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Audi A5 have?

The 2016 Audi A5 is associated with 3 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 3 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Audi A5?

NHTSA records list 8 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Audi A5. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is POWER TRAIN,ENGINE, appearing in 2 filings (25% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2016 Audi A5 defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Is there an official NHTSA crash safety rating for the 2016 Audi A5?

An official NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test rating is not available for the 2016 Audi A5 in AutoUtility's current federal dataset.

NHTSA publishes crash safety evaluations for a selected sample of passenger vehicles each model year. Consult NHTSA.gov for active safety equipment records and vehicle safety bulletins.

Check active safety equipment and ratings overview →
Source: NHTSA NCAP Registry

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Audi A5 get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Audi A5 range from 20 to 26 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.