2011 Audi A5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
66,574 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 25 complaints (56.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.0% |
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 | 14 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Air Bags: 14; Engine: 6; Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Seat Belts: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 7; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10607755 · 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,501 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10704503 · 2015-04-08 (April 8, 2015)
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. …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10705254 · 2015-04-13 (April 13, 2015)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10705254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10780967 · 2015-10-09 (October 9, 2015)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 37,123 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823625 · 2016-02-01 (February 1, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10823625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10863566 · 2016-05-06 (May 6, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873175 · 2016-06-08 (June 8, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10873175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916471 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10916471 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.