FaultScore

Audi E-Tron vs BMW 5 Series

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Audi E-Tron BMW 5 Series
Complaints on file 226 556
Model years covered 2019–2023 1989–2012
Worst model year 2019 2006
Best model year 2021 2003
Crashes reported 12 26
Fires reported 8 25
Injuries reported 5 22
Deaths reported 0 1
Most complained-about part Electrical System Airbags
Share of complaints involving harm 11.1% 13.3%

Audi E-Tron by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 22 9.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain 22 9.7%
Brakes 16 7.1%
Fuel & Propulsion 16 7.1%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 16 7.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 6 2.7%

BMW 5 Series by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 96 17.3%
Engine & Cooling 67 12.1%
Tires 43 7.7%
Steering 32 5.8%
Brakes 22 4.0%