2011 Audi S5: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · 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 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Occasional lack of propulsion when accelerator pedal is depressed, loss of gear while moving slowly (from a stop). In either case, the car may be stuck in an intersection or otherwise act unpredictably to other traffic. Remedy is to either take foot off accelerator to re-engage multiple times, or turn car off and back on. Transmission shows error (malfunction - you can continue driving) when this fault occurs. Vehicle is in excellent condition., regularly maintained, and under 40k miles.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2019
“Takata recall notice was issued by audi over 24 months ago. Authorized dealers cannot source parts to complete repair jeopardizing safety of our drivers. Dealers are not able to schedule or even forecast when parts will become available. Given the length of elapsed time and potential danger presented, this situation is unacceptable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
“Takata recall - received urgent recall august 2017. Multiple calls to the dealership and audi usa have not provide information regarding 1) when parts are available for my urgent recall notice, and 2) is the car safe to continue to drive? I understand the scale of this recall, however additional information is needed to make decisions.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“While inspecting my 2011 s5 after purchase I noticed that the rear window was detaching from the top. The dealer repaired as a warranty repair. A few years later the top of the convertible roof on the inside started to sag. I can't prove the dealer was at fault but they were the last to work on the convertible roof. The repair is not worth the remaining value of the vehicle and the dealer will not insure the repair more than a year. So be careful with these parts and now most of you know these vehicles have takata airbags subject to a recall which audi has not provide a time table for resolution.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2016
“Takata recall - I have been notified by audi that the airbag in my car needs to be replaced but they have offered no timetable as to when this may be possible. No solution is currently available. I find it disconcerting to be driving a car that has an airbag that could cause significant injury.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“I recently purchased a used audi s5 cabriolet. After researching the vehicle and noting several posts about the rear window detaching from the top and having a friend who just had his a5 repaired this was something I was looking for. In my inspection of the vehicle I did confirm that the top had already pulled away at the bottom of the window. I pointed this out to the salesman and the dealer agreed to fix it at no cost. While I'm getting this fixed, this is to document that this is a well known issue that audi should address. This car is in immaculate condition except for the one issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2016
“The airbag in my car needs to be replaced but audi has offered no timetable as to when this may be possible. No solution is currently available. I find it disconcerting to be driving a car that has an airbag that could cause significant injury. Updated 10/10/2017*js”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi s5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi s5. 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 notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“In 2014 I noticed that the carbon fiber insert on the passenger side was peeling off. The dealer replaced it but then told me they repaired it by accident because it should not have been covered. A few months later the carbon fiber inserts in the back seats started to peel off. Audi could not explain it. I had to tear them off because they were scratching my children when they sat in the back seat. I personally replace the inserts and noticed that the insert around the mmi was also starting to peel. Someone said that uv rays and high heat could cause this to happen. I am not happy with the quality of this product.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2014
Recalls - 3 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 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
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 S5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2011 Audi S5 reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Audi S5. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2011 Audi S5 have open recalls?
3 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.