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2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet

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.
8
Latest Apr 5, 2019
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.
2
Latest Jan 30, 2018
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet, most frequently naming the body & structure, airbags and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 521 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

  • Body & structure333.3%
  • Airbags222.2%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Visibility111.1%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V082000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 30, 2018
162,782 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69R6View on NHTSA.gov
16V078000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 10, 2016
659,493 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Apr 5, 2019

THE REAR CONVERTIBLE WINDOW IS SEPARATING COMPLETELY FROM THE ROOF AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL FALL OUT ON THE ROAD OR FLY OUT AND HIT SOMEONE. THE WINDOW IS CURRENTLY ONLY ATTACHED BY 2 CORNER. I HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS IT WITH AUDI BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11194207
Incident
Jan 7, 2019
Mileage
86,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 2019

VEH HAS 92000 MILES START GETTING MEGTRONIC ERROR- OK TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. TOOK TO RICHMOND DEALER AND THEY ADVISED NEEDED $8K REPLACEMENT- DROPPED PAN - NO METAL AND FLUID GOOD- HAD REPLACE FLUID/ FILTER. DROVE NO CONCERNS THEN WOULD NOT GO AFTER STOP AT LIGHT. TOOK TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SAID FOUND NO CONCERNS- HAPPENS AGAIN80 MILES LATER- AUDI SPECIALIST ADVISED JUST NEED G612-G632-G676 SENSORS AND CIRCUIT BOARD'$1000.00 IN PARTS BUT REGUIRED TOOL FOR REPAIR NOT AVAILABLE- SO A $5000.00 COMPLETE FIX CANNOT BE DONE AND DEALER ONLY RECOMMENDING ENTIRE UNIT REPLACEMENT AT $8500.00 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (35 GEARBOX WARNING LIGHT -DTCSP179E00, P179F00, P0700, P060A FOR 2010 S5 CABRIOLET S-TRONIC 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION 10/14, 2016' SUPERSEDES TSB GROUP 35 # 16-22 DATED APRIL 18, 2016

NHTSA ID
11182138
Incident
Jan 29, 2019
Mileage
92,469 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2019

WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT START AT ALL UNTIL RESTARTING THE IGNITION SEQUENCE. WHILE AT A STOP, THE CAR WOULD JUMP SUDDENLY AFTER A DELAY OF PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND THE IDLE WAS VERY UNEVEN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WOULD PERMEATE AROUND THE VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME, MAINLY COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WHEN OPENING THE HOOD, THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A SHINY APPEARANCE ALMOST AS IF A MIST OF GAS OR SOLVENT COVERED EVERY SURFACE. EVENTUALLY A SMALL POOL OF GAS WAS VISIBLE SITTING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH THE SUPERCHARGER. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP EVALUATED THE LEAK AND DETERMINED IT TO BE THE FUEL RAIL WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LEAK IN SIMILAR V6 3.0 AUDI ENGINE MODELS

NHTSA ID
11172987
Incident
Dec 28, 2018
Mileage
61,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 23, 2019

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2018 WITH ABOUT CLOSE TO 47,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CURRENTLY WITH ONLY JUST OVER 50,000 MILES THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS SEPARATING FROM THE FABRIC ROOF WHICH IN TURN HAS CAUSED WATER INFILTRATION FROM RAINFALL INTO THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE TRUNK, THIS OCCURS WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THIS HAS CAUSED MY BACKUP CAMERA TO PERIODICALLY MALFUNCTION AND ALSO HAS RENDERED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CONTROLS INOPERABLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE ANOTHER REPAIR PERFORMED AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD POINT BLANK THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND TO NOT EVEN BOTHER TRYING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED THERE AS THE COST WOULD BE NORTH OF $6000.00. I WAS THEN GIVEN THE NUMBER OF A REPAIR SHOP THAT WOULD GIVE ME A FAR BETTER PRICE ON THE REPAIR COST AND TOLD TO GET IT DONE ASAP DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WATER WOULD EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE "COMFORT CONTROL MODULE". I SUSPECT THAT IS THE CASE AS I HAVE STATED THE BACKUP CAMERA AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED EXPLICITLY FOR POTENTIAL COSTLY ROOF REPAIRS, YET THE WARRANTY MEANS NOTHING FOR WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A KNOWN DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURES BEHALF. I FEEL IT IS EXTREMELY UNFAIR AS WELL AS JUST BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR AUDI TO PASS THIS COST ON TO ITS CUSTOMERS WHEN THE PROBLEM IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE ADHESIVE. I REALLY LIKE MY CAR BUT I'M CURRENTLY PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO PARK WITH A CAR COVER UNTIL THE WEATHER IS MORE PERMITTING. SEEMS LIKE I MADE A MISTAKE CHOOSING AUDI AS THEY DON'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT.

NHTSA ID
11171740
Incident
Jun 21, 2018
Mileage
48,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 17, 2018

I BOUGHT THE CAR OF MY DREAMS USED IN MAY 2016, WITH ONLY 19,000 MILES ON IT. CAREFULLY INSPECTED THE BACK WINDOW ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FOR ANY SEPERATION OR ISSUES AT THE ADVICE OF A FRIEND. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 2 1/2 YEARS, THE BACK WINDOW IS COMPLETELY UNGLUED IN MANY AREAS. THE WHOLE WINDOW IS SEPARATING FROM THE TOP. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR( I FOUND DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH AFTER I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES) AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH AUDI OF AMERICA, BY MANY CUSTOMERS FOR YEARS. I FEEL LIKE AS A 'LUXURY' CAR, THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. AUDI KNOWS THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE, AND ASKS CUSTOMERS WHO PAY $65,000 NEW FOR A CAR, OR IN MY CASE $31,000 USED, TO PURCHASE A NEW TOP COSTING $7-8000. IF YOUR LUCKY, THEY WILL KNOCK 10% OFF. THIS IS A SHAM, AND IS RIDICULOUS. THE COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DESIGN ISSUE. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS IN TO THE CAR, WHICH HAS ALREADY COST ME MY BACK UP CAMREA. THE BATTERY IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW IN THE TRUNK AREA, WHICH IS ALSO DANGEROUS. HAD I KNOWN THIS WAS AN ISSUE, I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR OF MY DREAMS. AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I AM NOW STUCK WITH A LEAKY VEHICLE, WHICH ALSO HAS EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE DUE TO THE GLASS SEPARATING FROM THE TOP. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS FEEL THE TOPS, WHICH ARE KNOWINGLY DEFECTIVE, SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT THE COST OF THE COMPANY!

NHTSA ID
11130013
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
48,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 27, 2018

TAKATA RECALL HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AUDI THAT AIRBAG WILL LIKELY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR A YEAR OR MORE. THEY HAVE VERBALLY ADVISED ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. HOWEVER, THEIR LETTERS SAY IT COULD CAUSE DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE ARE RANKED AT THE HIGHEST RISK ACCORDING TO AUDI AS WE LIVE IN SC IN HOT HUMID ENVIRONMENT.

NHTSA ID
11090488
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
34,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 31, 2018

THERE HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC SEPARATION BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW AND THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP ROOF. THE WINDOW IS LEAKING AND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF ADHESIVE USED. DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI CABRIOLETS. NO ABUSE OF THE VEHICLE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11082329
Incident
May 15, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 5, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. 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 CONTACT CALLED PAUL MILLER AUDI (179 US-46, PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11076355
Incident
Mar 7, 2016

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2041242_3

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information when, after replacing the mechatronic unit/gearbox, the engine only starts when the button has been pressed twice.

TSB_2070568_6

This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool

TSB_2024323_13

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.

TSB_2024323_12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.

TSB_2060750_5

ENGINE

This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.

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 S5 Cabriolet by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024000—
2023010—
2022010—
2021030—
2020010—
2019010—
2018020—
2017010—
2016000—
2015000—
2014000—
2013300—
2012020—
2011520—
2010Viewing820—

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.