AI Damage2016 Audi S5: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Audi S5 filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 489 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 489
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 100% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 100% of all complaints
- 3 Electronic stability control 100% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 89.
- Steering: 1 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 89 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 23 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 132 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Hello - my 2016 audi s5 coupe with a manual transmission has had an electronic steering rack error for some time now. The issue arose after driving in rainy conditions (but not in standing water). The steering rack in my car provides electronic assistance to my steering wheel movements while driving.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,964 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 7% least complained about).
On average one model year of the S5 has 5 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 1, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer
- This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the…
This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped
- This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning
- This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels
- This bulletin provides information about leather care and seat repair
- This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns
- This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor
- This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless…
NHTSA lists 489 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, electronic stability control. Total complaints: 1.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Audi S5?
NHTSA lists 489 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Audi S5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.