Audi A5 years to avoid AUDI A3 Convertible (8V7, 8VE) (10.2013 - 04.2021)

Thinking about an Audi A5? Nice choice, but it’s smart to know which years might be a bit of a headache.

The model years to be wary of mostly cluster around the early 2010s, especially 2010 through 2012, and then again some grumbles from 2018 and 2019. The main pain points?
- The 2010 A5 had a batch of complaints about the infotainment system acting up, engine stalling, and more seriously, involvement in the Takata airbag recall—a not-so-fun issue with airbags potentially rupturing on deployment.
- 2011 and 2012 models continued to battle with engine issues like excessive oil consumption (yes, sometimes a quart every 1,000 miles, yikes), timing chain wear, water pump leaks, and airbag problems.
- The 2018 and 2019 A5s had more “miscellaneous” quirks including weird tire wear, electronic trunk malfunctions, and some electronics acting buggy (hello, backup camera glitch!).
- The 2013 and 2014 models were a mixed bag with reports of engine failures, fuel injector problems, and timing chain troubles cropping up early.

On the brighter side, Audi has addressed many issues with recalls and service bulletins, but these problems can still mean pricey repairs and some headaches if you pick a dodgy year. If you want a smoother ride, later models post-2016 tend to be more reliable, but checking maintenance history is a must.

So the nutshell: If you want to dodge drama, steer clear of early 2010s models (especially 2010-2012), the 2013-2014 years with engine gremlins, and be cautious around 2018-2019’s electronic quirks. The rest? Generally, better reliability but always get a good pre-buy inspection!

Pick your Audi A5 years like you pick your mates—wise and worth it!

The first generation Audi A5 (2008-2012) is considered to be the most problematic.
- Main problems: Increased oil consumption in 2.0 TFSI engines and problems with the timing chain tensioner.
- Transmission: The Multitronic CVT and S tronic automatic transmission also had issues.
It is recommended to look for models after 2013, as these issues have been fixed in them. Always perform a full diagnostic check before purchasing.