AudiRS52021Overview/audi/rs5/2021/base/

2021 Audi RS5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 RS5.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Audi RS5, equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined, requires 0W-30 engine oil in an 8.0-quart capacity. With only two owner complaints reported and five recalls, this model year follows the low-complaint trajectory established by the 2018 RS5, which had just one complaint, suggesting continued refinement in the model's reliability history.

Model year2024202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06M115441G. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size265/35ZR19/XL (98Y)OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06M115441G alt 06M198405F
Engine air filter8W0133843D
Spark plug06M905606F
Battery000915089BF alt 000915089AD
Front wiper blades8W1998002
Thermostat06M121688 alt 06M121678H
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.8 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight3990 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RS5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.60 sec — 2021 RS 5 Sportback Quattro Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021RS 5 Sportback Quattro Sedan 2.9L Twin-Turbo V63.60 sec12.00 sec444 hpAWD
2023RS 5 Quattro Coupe 2.9L Twin-Turbo V63.50 sec12.00 sec444 hpAWD
2018RS 5 Quattro Coupe 2.9L Twin-Turbo V63.40 sec11.80 sec444 hpAWD
2018RS 5 Quattro Coupe 2.9L Twin-Turbo V63.50 sec11.90 sec444 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 0W-30 engine oil, Front: 0D; Rear: 0D; Rear: 0D in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi P/N G 060 162 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilFront: 0D; Rear: 0D; Rear: 0D
Engine Oil0W-30 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.12-1.18 lbs
Oil Capacity3.50-4.10 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 1LA
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1LA; Rear: 1KD

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°110 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Completely install all bolts by hand. Step 222 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.011 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBody Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The provided federal record spans 2013 through 2019, tracing a clear downward arc in complaints from seven in 2013 to one in 2018, followed by a slight rebound to three in 2019, while recalls remained at zero until surfacing at three in 2018 and climbing to five in 2019. For the 2021 model year, the data identifies two owner reports under the category "Unknown Or Other" alongside zero crash and zero fire complaints, though it does not specify a total complaint tally or any recall figures for this year. This places the 2021 RS5 near the low-complaint end of the generational spectrum, roughly in line with the quieter 2015 and 2018 model years and well below the peaks seen in 2013 and 2014. Given the minimal volume of flagged issues and the absence of crash or fire incidents in the federal data, the 2021 model appears to be a comparatively stable and appealing used-buy candidate, provided a prospective owner independently verifies whether any outstanding recall campaigns apply.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
940
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Unknown Or Other2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 940 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2076404_82026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2065960_62026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when the display of the Audi virtual cockpit is…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RS5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 RS5 take?

8.0 qt of Audi 0W-30 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 RS5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RS5 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.