2011 Audi A5: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (74% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jan 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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! ð¤¬ð"¥”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2022
“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?”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2021
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“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?”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2019
“My 2011 audi a5 2.0t has experienced low compression on piston number 1 which is a sign of engine failure and requires the engine to be redone. Since then I have checked with audi mechanics and online reviews and it seems like my model of audi has a common problem with the engine. The fact that many a5's have experienced engine failures begs the question of why audi has not recalled this vehicle and why the engines were allowed to be released that are obviously sub optimal and weak!”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“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?”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2018
“Takata recall. Audi of america inc. Keeps sending out recall notices and the dealer keeps claiming there are no replacement airbags available. Enough already, either make replacements available or stop sending notices.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
How other years compare
Check your exact A5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Audi A5 reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Audi A5. The most complained-about area is air bags (74% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Audi A5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,074 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Audi A5 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.