2010 Audi A5 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Audi A5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1438.9%
- Engine1130.6%
- Body & structure38.3%
- Visibility25.6%
- Fuel system12.8%
- Powertrain (other)12.8%
- Steering12.8%
- Suspension12.8%
- Tires & wheels12.8%
- Electrical12.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) IN JANUARY OF 2018. HOFFMAN AUDI OF EAST HARTFORD (700 CONNECTICUT BLVD, EAST HARTFORD, CT) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (AUDI BUFFALO, 5255 GENESEE ST, BOWMANSVILLE, NY 14026, 716-683-3343) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Audi A5. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the catalytic converter, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and discovered that all the fluids were low. The fluids were topped off to the proper level. The warning light disappeared; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated a month later. The contact stated that her son completed a diagnostic test and retrieved a fault code for a defective catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,960.
I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASE AND TO START PUTTING AN ADDITIONAL 1QT OF OIL ON EVERY 1000 MILES...NOW FEW MINTS LATER I HAVE TO DO THAT MORE OFTEN ON EVERY 500MILES... AND RECENTLY I HAD TO ADD COOLING AND NOW THIS HAS BEEN AN NEW ISSUE... MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MY CAR AND HE IS SURPRISED AUDI HASN'T DONE A RECALL ON IT. MY CAR IS UNDER 90K AND MAY REQUIRE AN ENGINE CHANGE FOR OVER $3-4K. THAT'S NOT RIGHT!
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2010 AUDI A5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK AND PISTONS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE CYLINDER WAS BAD AND THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME FLOODED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRAINAGE VALVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A NEW A5 CONVERTIBLE AND USED IT IN SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY. - WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF A LIGHT SNOWFALL THE WIPERS BEGAN TO ICE UP. THE DEFROSTER WAS ON HIGH WITH THE TEMPERATURE AT 80 WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. - WE HAD ZERO VISIBILITY - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. - MY WIFE DROPPED ME OFF AT WORK AND CONTINUED ON A ROAD THAT YOU CANNOT STOP ON TO "CLEAN THE BLADES" AND COULD NOT SEE BUT THROUGH A NARROW 1/2" SLOT IN THE WINDSHIELD!! - I MADE IT TO WORK AND ASKED TWO OF MY EMPLOYEES, ONE WITH AN S5 AND ONE WITH A WAGON AND THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. - MY WIFE, WHO I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR IS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH ANY SNOWFALL. - I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE SINCE THIS IS A VERY STORMY SEASON. *LN
THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE 2010 AUDI A5 AND AS A RESULT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE UNRELIABLE IN SNOW AND RAIN CAUSING SEVERE RESTRICTIONS ON VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE TWO ISSUES: 1.) THE AUTOMATIC RAIN SENSOR OVERRIDES DIRECT DRIVER INPUT SO THAT SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN THEM ON, THEY DO NOT STAY ON CAUSING IMPAIRED VISION. 2.) THE UNIQUE WIPER DESIGN OF THE B8 PLATFORM MEANS THAT THE WIPER BLADES THEMSELVES CONSISTENTLY TURN INTO BLOCKS OF ICE IN WINTER DRIVING. THEY ARE POSITIONED BELOW THE DEFROSTER AND, ONCE FROZEN, CAUSE SEVERELY IMPAIRED VISION IN ALREADY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. I'VE CHECKED NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS AND THIS CONDITION IS OCCURRING REGULARLY TO OWNERS OF AUDI VEHICLES BASED ON THE B8 PLATFOM (PREDOMINANTLY THE A4/S4 AND A5/S5.) THEY ALL SHARE THE SAME RAIN SENSOR/ WINDSHIELD WIPER DESIGN, AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TRACTION OF QUATTRO MEANS NOTHING IF YOU CAN'T SEE! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR STALLED NEARLY COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS SMELLING GASOLINE SO I HAD TO BRING IT TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND THERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FUEL INJECTOR LEAKING WITH MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE DETECTED. AS THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UNDER AUDI FOR FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS, I TOOK THE CAR TO AUDI TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER DEFECTED FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE ORIGINAL MECHANIC CLEARED THE CODE FROM MY CAR'S SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. BECAUSE THE FAULT CODE WAS CLEARED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AUDI IS REFUSING TO FIX THE FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE DOCUMENTATION WITH THE FAULT CODES THAT SHOWS THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING AND THE REASON MY CAR STALLED. THE AUDI SERVICE SPECIALIST TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING MY CAR UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I KNOW THAT AUDI CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL ON SOME AUDI MODELS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR CAUSING FIRE RISKS, AND I KNOW THAT DRIVING WITH A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR WILL LEAD TO MAJOR ISSUES. OBVIOUSLY I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR KNOWING THAT THE LEAKING FUEL INJECTOR COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN MY CAR AND WILL CAUSE ME TO ONCE AGAIN BREAKDOWN. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION, HOWEVER, IT INCLUDES MY VIN AND THE NOTE ON THIS WEBSITE SAYS NOT TO INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL INFO INCLUDING THE VIN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
INFERIOR PISTON RINGS BURNING OIL INSIDE THE ENGINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
2010 AUDI A5 - THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY CAUSING CAR TO SHIFT FROM LANES AND DRIVE TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO POORLY MANUFACTURED CONTROL ARMS AND THE DEALER/MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RAISED SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. NEITHER AUDI NOR THE DEALERSHIPS BOTH AWARE OF THE PROBLEM REFUSE TO FIX IT DESPITE BEING UNDER WARRANTY AND DEMAND MONEY FOR REPAIRS WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND ARE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY. IF CONTROL ARMS BREAK OR SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CRASH OR GO OFF ROAD DEATH OR OTHER INJURIES MAY OCCUR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUDI A5 - 2010 MODELS. THESE CARS COME WITH FAULTY LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS WHICH RESULTS IN SHAKING IN DRIVING FROM 60MPH TO 70MPH. I JUST BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR YESTERDAY TO BE EXACT, THE ENTIRE DRIVE HOME THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY, THIS TYPE OF SHAKING CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS, A FULL FAILURE OF CONTROL ARMS WILL RESULT IN DEATH. AUDI HAS NOT CONDUCTED A MASS RECALL AS OF YET, I BELIEVE THEY ARE WAITING FOR A FEW DEATHS AND A MASS PROTESTS AND INTERVENTION FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEFORE DOING SOMETHING. HTTP://FORUMS.AUDIWORLD.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=23890501#POST23890501. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE SIDEWALLS, ON BOTH SIDES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY ISSUES, LOW PRESSURE, PULLING ETC. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR DRIVING NORMAL. I STARTED TO HEAR A PULSATING VIBRATION SOUND LIKE A WHEEL BEARING. I LET OFF THE GAS TO SLOW DOWN A BIT AND LISTEN, THEN THERE WAS SOME LOUD NOISES, I PULLED OVER TO FIND THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY ALL THE WAY AROUND.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THERE IS SIGNIFICANT MOISTURE IN THE AIR THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. AN INTENDED RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WILL CAUSE THE LEFT SIGNAL TO FIRE INSTEAD, BUT IT WILL ALSO ERRATICALLY FIRE THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. THE ISSUE TENDS TO REDUCE IN FREQUENCY THE LONGER THE CAR IS RUNNING. I READ ON AN AUDI OWNERS FORUM THAT THE BLINKER SWITCH IS AFFECTED BY HIGH MOISTURE AND CAUSES THIS ISSUE IN 2008-2010 MODELS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .