Audi A5 CABRIOLET problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 to 2022 model years. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 51 complaints (80.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 41 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Air Bags: 41; Engine: 8; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 3 |
2016: 14; 2017: 24; 2018: 10; 2019: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11052360 · 2017-12-04 (December 4, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A5 CABRIOLET. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V622000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI PALO ALTO DEALER LOCATED AT 1730 EMBARCADERO RD, PALO ALTO, CA 94303 AND PHONE NUMBER [phone removed]. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER WANTED TO GIVE HER INSTRUCTIONS ON A TEMPORARILY FIX. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11052360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11115059 · 2018-08-01 (August 1, 2018)
SAFETY RECALL 19N4 (NHTSA 18V229) WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 2018. ATTACHED NOTICE INDICATES THAT VEHICLE SHOULD BE PARKED OUTDOORS AS A PRECAUTION, TO AVOID A FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP. RECALL REPAIRS ARE NOT ANTICIPATED UNTIL LATE 2018. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT 4 MONTHS TO GET A REPAIR SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I TALKED TO MY LOCAL SERVICE PERSON AT AUDI DANVERS, MA WHO CONFIRMED THE RECALL REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. I ALSO EMAILED AUDI USA BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11115059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10957522 · 2017-02-28 (February 28, 2017)
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTING CAR, HAD SOME DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WITHIN 24 HOURS. DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS, HEAD, TENSIONERS AND TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 83000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT CONSHOHOCKEN AUDI SINCE PURCHASE FROM PRESTIGE LEXUS (WITH 7000 MILES). AUDI HAS "OFFERED" AN 75% DISCOUNT ON PARTS BECAUSE I "HAVE BEEN A GOOD CUSTOMER" (EXCEPT THE TURBO WHICH THEY SAY IS NOT A FAULT OF THE ENGINE DEFECT). I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF PARTS, ALL TAXES FOR ALL PARTS, AND LABOR. WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957522 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 1