RoadVitals

2011 Audi S5

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 7, 2017
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.
1
Latest Jan 20, 2015
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 2011 Audi S5, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 690 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

  • Airbags466.7%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%

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

1 campaign 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
15V019000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Jan 20, 2015
26,008 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number Audi: 24AP/VW: 24BKView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
10971077
Incident
Apr 29, 2016
Airbags
Filed Feb 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.

NHTSA ID
10949017
Incident
Feb 20, 2016
Filed Jan 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 COULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS PRODUCT.

NHTSA ID
10948679
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
65,000 mi
Filed Jan 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 RECALL WHICH AUDI HAS NOT PROVIDE A TIME TABLE FOR RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ID
10948673
Incident
Nov 18, 2016
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 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.

NHTSA ID
10948668
Incident
Mar 28, 2016
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 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 ALREADY AWARE THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THAT TRANSMISSION. UPON RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, OR DUE TO DRIVING, MILEAGE, WEAR AND TEAR, PREVIOUS OWNER, LACK OF WARRANTY OR WHATEVER ELSE THEY WANT TO COME UP WITH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10946189
Incident
Nov 21, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 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.

NHTSA ID
10892990
Incident
Aug 3, 2016
Filed Jul 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 IMMACULATE CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE ONE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10883889
Incident
Jul 3, 2016
Mileage
46,000 mi

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_2075120_3

SERVICE BRAKES

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

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.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026100—
2025112056.2
2024200—
2023310—
2022120—
2021150—
2020254040.4
2019640—
2018262055.1
2017000—
2016100—
2015200—
2014600—
2013160035.3
2012101034.5
2011Viewing810—
2010200028.5
2009000—
2008300—

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.