RoadVitals

2011 Audi A5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Aug 15, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Audi A5, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 984 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1453.8%
  • Engine623.1%
  • Powertrain (other)415.4%
  • Fuel system13.8%
  • Seat belts13.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Aug 15, 2026
Crash reported

I filed a claim with insurance company with what I thought was minor damages for a hit and run that happened to me while I was at emergency room for the multiple surgeries I’ve had recently and when the claim came back total loss due to defective airbag recalls and cause my airbags were supposed to deploy where they hit me and didn’t, now I’m left with 7k still owed on my full coverage insurance on Audi and no car and deemed total loss and unsafe to have on roads. The insurance company only gave me salvage value for the 2011 audi a5 that had 57k miles on it and left me with no car, no repairs, and no way to get another cause airbags didn’t deploy for where I was hit! 🤬🔥

NHTSA ID
11757139
Incident
Jul 14, 2026
Filed Apr 11, 2024

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11582270
Incident
Apr 10, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jul 12, 2022

Earlier models were recalled for defective air bag modules. My 2011 A5 was not recalled but the air bag module failed in exactly the same way as earlier models. The modules were not upgraded and perhaps the newer models should be included in recall. I have an invoice for $1443.45 from the dealer. Thanks.

NHTSA ID
11473615
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2022

There was a fuel odor permeating in the vehicle, and the further I drove, the more intense was the gasoline smell. I pulled into a strip mall and turned off the engine for fear of a fire or explosion. I immediately called and requested the car be towed to my mechanic. My mechanic diagnosed the problem the next day as a cracked fuel pump housing. There were no warning lights at all. Given the location of the fuel pump, how does this dangerous incident happen?

NHTSA ID
11462379
Incident
Apr 12, 2022
Airbags
Filed Apr 17, 2022

Audi has recalled a5 until 2009 for defective air bag modules, ie power supply. My 2011 has the same problem but not covered by recall. Why not? Very dangerous condition. Thank you.

NHTSA ID
11461059
Incident
Mar 31, 2022
Filed Nov 26, 2021

Driving down the road, my sunroof "exploded" today. Only damage was to the sunroof itself but very scary. Felt like an explosion, fortunately did no have any accident associated with this. Less likely anything dropped from above. Weather was good today.

NHTSA ID
11441758
Incident
Nov 26, 2021
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE OCCUPANT IN THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (STEVENS CREEK AUDI LOCATED AT 4343 STEVENS CREEK BOULEVARDSANTA CLARA, CA 95051) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11359833
Incident
Sep 1, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 14, 2019

TAKATA RECALL: UNABLE TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GET THE PARTS NEEDED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM CAN'T PROVIDE AN ETA AND CANNOT PROVIDE ANY ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS IN THE MEANTIME. WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY WHILE WE WAIT?

NHTSA ID
11180137
Incident
Feb 14, 2019

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2074436_3

This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.

TSB_2069904_3

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.

TSB_2069078_4

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).

TSB_20741717_15

VISIBILITY/WIPER

This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless of the concern.

TSB_2072304_4

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.

TSB_2075120_3

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026100—
2025820—
2024800—
2023800—
2022720—
2021850—
2020604047.5
2019123046.1
2018386060.1
2017020—
2016730—
2015830—
2014283044.0
2013353057.8
2012220037.7
2011Viewing250040.9
2010340029.6
2009111031.0
2008510—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.