2011 Audi A5

Routine

Owners filed 25 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Audi A5 years to avoid. Which Audi A5 years to avoid →

Most common 2011 Audi A5 problems

13 of the 25 complaints (52%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags13
101
Engine6
000
Unknown or Other3
100
Power Train · transmission2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Aug 15, 2026TN

I filed a claim with insurance company with what I thought was minor damages for a hit and run that happened to me while I was at emergency room for the multiple surgeries I’ve had recently and when the claim came back total loss due to defective airbag recalls and cause my airbags were supposed to deploy where they hit me and didn’t, now I’m left with 7k still owed on my full coverage insurance on Audi and no car and deemed total loss and unsafe to have on roads. The insurance company only gave me salvage value for the 2011 audi a5 that had 57k miles on it and left me with no car, no repairs, and no way to get another cause airbags didn’t deploy for where I was hit! 🤬🔥

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 11, 2024HI

Unknown

Air Bags
Filed Jul 12, 2022CA

Earlier models were recalled for defective air bag modules. My 2011 A5 was not recalled but the air bag module failed in exactly the same way as earlier models. The modules were not upgraded and perhaps the newer models should be included in recall. I have an invoice for $1443.45 from the dealer. Thanks.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 27, 2022FL

There was a fuel odor permeating in the vehicle, and the further I drove, the more intense was the gasoline smell. I pulled into a strip mall and turned off the engine for fear of a fire or explosion. I immediately called and requested the car be towed to my mechanic. My mechanic diagnosed the problem the next day as a cracked fuel pump housing. There were no warning lights at all. Given the location of the fuel pump, how does this dangerous incident happen?

Air Bags
Filed Apr 17, 2022CA

Audi has recalled a5 until 2009 for defective air bag modules, ie power supply. My 2011 has the same problem but not covered by recall. Why not? Very dangerous condition. Thank you.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 26, 2021VA

Driving down the road, my sunroof "exploded" today. Only damage was to the sunroof itself but very scary. Felt like an explosion, fortunately did no have any accident associated with this. Less likely anything dropped from above. Weather was good today.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 18, 2020100,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE OCCUPANT IN THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (STEVENS CREEK AUDI LOCATED AT 4343 STEVENS CREEK BOULEVARDSANTA CLARA, CA 95051) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 14, 2019CO

TAKATA RECALL: UNABLE TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GET THE PARTS NEEDED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM CAN'T PROVIDE AN ETA AND CANNOT PROVIDE ANY ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS IN THE MEANTIME. WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY WHILE WE WAIT?

Air Bags
Filed Aug 2, 2018NC

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI OF CHARLOTTE (9300 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATTHEWS, NC) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 28, 201852,000 milesNY

TAKATA RECALL - HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE RECALL DONE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. AUDI HAS STOPPED MAKING REPAIRS AND HAS BEEN SAYING THEY ARE COMING OUT WITH A FINAL REPAIR SHORTLY. THIS HAS NOT CHANGED IN MONTHS. HOW DO I GET A COMMITMENT FROM AUDI ON GETTING THIS CAR REPAIRED?

Engine
Filed Sep 25, 201781,000 milesCA

WAS LEAVING HOUSE, CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY SO I DROVE BACK HOME, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. HAVE BEEN WAITING LONG BEFORE THIS HAPPENED TO HEAR BACK FROM AUDI ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION WARRANTY RECALL, CAR WAS UNDER 80K MI AT THE TIME I MADE REPORT, HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REQUIRED TESTS THEY NEEDED, TOOK THEM 4 MONTHS TO FINALLY GET BACK TO ME. RECEIVED SPECIAL CASE SINCE IT WAS A PRE OWNED VEHICLE & COULD NOT PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SERVICE MAINTENANCE RECORDS SINCE I HAD JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE, NOT THE DEALERSHIP NOR AUDI HAVE BEEN HELPFUL WITH OBTAINING THAT INFORMATION. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT OR BUY BACK.

Engine
Filed Jun 6, 201763,148 milesPR

AUDI OF AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGED ON 2015 THAT 126,000 VEHICLES PRESENT EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI OF SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO ON MAY 16, 2017 WHERE VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. DEALER INDICATED THAT OIL SERVICE NEEDED TO BE DONE PRIOR TO START OIL CONSUMPTION TEST PHASE 1(PCV VALVE) WHICH I AUTHORIZED. AFTER THIS, LOW OIL LIGHT TURNED ON WITHIN LESS THAN 900 MILES. ON JUNE 5TH, 2017 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM PHASE 2 OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. DEALER DOCUMENTED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED 1.08 QT IN 1,000 MILES. HOWEVER, DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIR DUE TO TD1 FLAGGING BY AUDI OF AMERICA. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I WANTED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. I POINTED OUT THAT "AUDI OF AMERICA" DEFINES WARRANTY AS FOLLOWS "A GUARANTEE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE ANY COMPONENT THAT FAILS AS A RESULT OF MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP". AUDI OF AMERICA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S FAILURE REGARDING THE PISTON RINGS, NEVERTHELESS IS LOOKING INTO ANY EXCUSE TO NOT HONOR WHAT WAS AGREED IN THE OIL CONSUMPTION SETTLEMENT. PER 13-CV-02529-MMM-VBK "THE SERVICE ADJUSTMENT WAS NOT PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO ABUSE, ALTERATION OR MODIFICATION, A COLLISION OR CRASH, VANDALISM AND/OR OTHER IMPACT.' THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE CAME SINCE IT ROLLED OUT OF AUDI'S MANUFACTURING FACILITY AND VEHICLES MODIFICATIONS ARE NOT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS ISS

Air Bags
Filed Apr 6, 2017FL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Feb 18, 2017145,000 milesNH

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONOR FAILED WITH NO WARNING CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AUDIVW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PART THEY HAVE REDESIGNED MORE THAN 4 TIMES. REPAIR COST IS $10-12,000 WHEN IT FAILS. REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART WOULD COST $700.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 15, 2016GA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT UPDATED 02/14/17.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 2016CA

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY! I STILL DON'T HAVE A REPAIR. A WOMAN IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA WAS RECENTLY KILLED BECAUSE THE FRAGMENTS RIPPED THROUGH HER BODY. WHEN WILL I GET A REPAIR? I DOUBT I CAN GET A DECENT PRICE ON RESALE BECAUSE ANY INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT IT IS A DEATH TRAP. PLEASE HELP US AND PUT PRESSURE THE COMPANY.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 25, 2016CA

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN APRIL OF 2016 AND IT IS NOW THE END OF OCTOBER 2016 AND WE HAVE NO INFORMATION REGARDING TIMING OF THE REPLACEMENT OR PLANS TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. ONLY WORD IS "REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE". AS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT RECALL ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES, I WOULD REQUEST THAT THIS GET ESCALATED.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 17, 2016MA

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN APRIL 2016 FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. NHTSA 16V078 I HAVE REPEATEDLY CHECK TO SEE WHEN REPAIR CAN BE MADE...NO ACTION AS OF TODAY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 8, 2016FL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed May 6, 201636,000 milesTX

THERE IS SAFETY RECALL-69N1 -TAKATA SDI DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG FOR MY VEHICLE, AND WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE AND NOR THEY HAVE ETA. SO AS IT IS DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, WE CANNOT RISK OUR LIVES BY DRIVING THAT VEHICLE, SO WE ASKED FOR LOANER AND AUDI DEALERSHIP SAID NO. SO AS I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND LOANER IS NOT AVAILABLE, SO WE WILL HAVE TO GET RENTAL, WHICH AGAIN WILL COST US, SO WE NEED COMPENSATION FOR RENTAL VEHICLE.

Engine
Filed Feb 1, 2016FL

THIS VEHICLE WHEN I START IN THE MORNING FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS RUBBING ON THE WHEELS. IT MAYBE THE WHEEL BEARINGS. ALSO JUST LIKE THE OTHER AUDI OWNERS HAVE SAID THIS CAR CONSUMES AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL EVERY 800 TO A 1000 MILES OR SO. I DECIDED ON THIS VEHICLE BASED ON REPUTATION, I'VE HAD IT A YEAR AND I'M NOT HAPPY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL. BUT I SEE ITS NOT. PLEASE HELP.

Power Train
Filed Oct 9, 201537,123 milesFL

I WAS MOVING FROM A STATIONARY POSITION AND SAW AN ERROR FOR TPMS AND THEN AN ERROR CAME UP AS NO REVERSE GEAR AVAILABLE - YOU CAN COTNUE TO DRIVE. I CAN MOVE FORWARD NOT REVERSE AND THE GEARS MOVE IN ODD NUMBER FROM 1 -3-5 ETC. I BOUGHT THIS CERTFIED PREOWNED CAR OVER A WEEK AGO AND THIS ISSUE CAME UP. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS 37K M SO I DONT KNOW WHATS THE ISSUE

Power Train
Filed Apr 13, 201570,000 milesTX

THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED DURING NORMAL OPERATION AT 70,000M. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER ACCORDING TO MANUF. SPECS. ALL RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE. THE AUDI A5 2.0T ENGINE IS KNOWN TO HAVE A MANUF DEFECT CAUSING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION (CLASS ACTION SUIT AND SETTLEMENT). THE MANUF. DENIES ANY LINKAGE TO LOW OIL AND DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THESE INTERNAL PARTS ARE DESIGNED FOR LONG-LIFE AND ARE NOT MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. FAILURE IS ACCUSED BY A DESIGN DEFECT OR A MANUF DEFECT. THE MASSIVE FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A PART OFTEN REQUIRES WHOLESALE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. AUDI HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY. THIS FAILURE WHEN THE CAR IS IN POTION WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSISTANCE TO BRAKES AND STEERING - SUBJECTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS TO POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 8, 201570,600 milesTX

MARCH 21 MY LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON, AS IT HAS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT MY CAR. AUDI ALWAYS TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL. I WOULD GO TO THE DEALER EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AND GET A QUART POURED IN. I'VE NEVER HAD ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND I HAVE SERVICED IT PERFECTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I GOT NOTICE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR MY CAR AND IT'S OVERCONSUMPTION OF OIL. ON MARCH 21ST WHEN I HAD MORE OIL ADDED, WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE OIL OVERSCONSUMPTION PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. THAT NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT. I STARTED MY CAR. DROVE ABOUT A BLOCK TO AN INTERSECTION. STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. AND THE CAR STOPPED. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. A TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NEVER BREAK. I AM LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE OIL OVERCONSUMPTION COULD DEFINITELY LEAD TO THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING. AUDI REFUSES TO ADMIT THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS DOCUMENTED. THERE IS A DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN MY ENGINE FOR THE 2011 A5S, BUT THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. IT IS THEIR FAULT. I WAS SITTING ON A TIME BOMB AND AUDI WAS FULLY AWARE THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND THEY NEVER CHECKED AND NEVER MENTIONED IT TO ME. NOW THEY EXPECT ME TO COVER THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE WHEN IT WAS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. IT CLEARLY STATES IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT THE DEFECT CAN LEAD TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. I AM OVER MY WARRANTY, BUT THAT SHOULD NOT MATTER. THIS DEFECT EXISTED FROM DAY ONE. TH

Engine
Filed Jul 2, 201411,501 milesCT

THE AUDI 2.0T ENGINE IS KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH SIGNIFICANT OIL CONSUMPTION. DURING SERVICE VISITS I HAVE MENTIONED TO THE AUDI DEALER THAT THE CAR BURNS A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000-1200 MILES. AUDI CLAIMS THAT THIS IS PART OF THE ENGINE DESIGN IN ORDER FOR IT TO GIVE BETTER FUEL ECONOMY. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT TRUE. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH AUDIS EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0T ENGINE AND THEY HAVE ZERO OIL CONSUMPTION. THERE ARE MULTIPLE ONLINE BLOGS WITH OTHER AUDI OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS CLEARLY SOMETHING THAT AUDI SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. I HAPPEN TO WON TWO AUDI'S WITH THIS SAME 2.0T ENGINE, BOTH HAVE THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. *TR

All 25 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2020
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
20258200Routine
20248000Routine
20238000Routine
20227200Routine
20218500Routine
202060401Fatalities reported
201912300Routine
201838600Routine
20170200Routine
20167300Routine
20158300Routine
201428300Routine
201335320Routine
201222010Routine
2011 — this page25000Routine
201034000Routine
200911100Routine
20085100Routine

Compare every A5 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.