2011 Audi S5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 8 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 12.5% |
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 | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Power Train: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 5 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 | 2 |
| 2017 | 6 |
2016: 2; 2017: 6
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 10883889 · 2016-07-11 (July 11, 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 IM…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10892990 · 2016-08-03 (August 3, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10892990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10946189 · 2017-01-18 (January 18, 2017)
UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR FAULTY MSE TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN MY 2011. AUDI UPGRADED BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NSY MODEL TRANSMISSION AND EXPECTS OWNER TO PAY EXPENSE. THEY DID NOT AND HAVE NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER AWARE OF THIS UNTIL YOU FORCED TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO SENSORS AND LIMITED FUNCTIONALITY IN DRIVING CAPABILITIES. VEHICLE HESITATES AND DROPS GEARS WHILE IN MOTION. THIS OCCURRED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY CREATING A HAZARDOUS EVENT, IN ADDITION THEY WILL ALSO CHARGE YOU FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND BOGUS SERVICE WHILE THEY ARE A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10946189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948668 · 2017-01-31 (January 31, 2017)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10948668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948673 · 2017-01-31 (January 31, 2017)
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 RECAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948679 · 2017-01-31 (January 31, 2017)
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 C…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10949017 · 2017-02-02 (February 2, 2017)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10949017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10971077 · 2017-04-07 (April 7, 2017)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10971077 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V019000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2015-01-20 (January 20, 2015)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗