Model year guide

2021 Audi A5 Sportback

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Audi A5 Sportback is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 20 on record.

2021 Audi A5 Sportback — representative photo
Representative photo

2021 Audi A5 Sportback at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints8
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined27–28 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Audi A5 Sportback recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Audi A5 Sportback common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2021 Audi A5 Sportback safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 9.9% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: ).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback 4 DR AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2021 Audi A5 Sportback MPG & running costs

Combined27–28 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,000
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume22 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Audi A5 Sportback costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,000
Fuel only$15,000
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
187.4 in
Width
72.4 in
Height
54.3 in
Wheelbase
111.4 in
Curb weight
3,704 lb
Front track
62.6 in
Rear track
61.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 1088

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 1088.

This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.

Bulletin TSB_2052680_2 · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off.

Bulletin TSB_2083393_1 · Engine · Sep 2026

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.

Bulletin TSB_2083409_1 · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.

Bulletin TSB_2020552_15 · Visibility/wiper · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored.

Bulletin TSB_2065871_4 · Steering · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.

Bulletin TSB_2074846_5 · Steering · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.

Bulletin TSB_2068573_6 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.

Bulletin TSB_2078648_4 · Structure · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.

Bulletin TSB_2030471_9 · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim.

Bulletin TSB_2073860_2 · Structure · Sep 2026

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the A5 SPORTBACK AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

2021 Audi A5 Sportback vehicles on record

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Other Audi A5 Sportback model years

2025 2024 2023 2022 2020 2019 2018 2017 2015 2014 2012 2008

2021 Audi A5 Sportback — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback?

Across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, power train.

What is the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 5★).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi A5 Sportback get?

The 2021 Audi A5 Sportback has U.S. EPA estimates of 27–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.