Audi Years to Avoid by Model
Audi years to avoid: the 2017 Q7 (316 complaints), 2018 Q5 (195 complaints), 2019 A6 (113 complaints) and 2020 A5 (60 complaints) lead the list. All 6 Audi models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2010 A6 and 2009 Q5. Based on 3,106 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Audi years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A6 | 2012201320162019 | 200920102011 | 557 (2008–2025) |
| Audi Q7 | 2017201820192021 | — | 884 (2008–2025) |
| Audi A8 | 2013 | — | 175 (2008–2025) |
| Audi Q5 | 201120182021 | 2009 | 1,105 (2008–2025) |
| Audi A5 | 2020 | 2012 | 253 (2008–2025) |
| Audi A7 | 2019 | — | 132 (2008–2025) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Audi model
2017 Audi Q7: 316 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 · Full Q7 breakdown →
2018 Audi Q5: 195 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2011, 2018 and 2021 · Full Q5 breakdown →
2019 Audi A6: 113 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2019 · Full A6 breakdown →
2020 Audi A5: 60 NHTSA owner complaints · Full A5 breakdown →
2013 Audi A8: 49 NHTSA owner complaints · Full A8 breakdown →
2019 Audi A7: 41 NHTSA owner complaints · Full A7 breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Audi years should you avoid?
By model: A6 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2019; Q7 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021; A8 2013; Q5 2011, 2018 and 2021; A5 2020; A7 2019. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Audi years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: A6 2009, 2010 and 2011; Q5 2009; A5 2012.
Which Audi model has the most years to avoid?
The Audi A6, with 4 avoid-rated model years (2012, 2013, 2016 and 2019) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Audi years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Audi data come from?
Federal records: 3,106 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 Audi models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.