2011 Audi A5 CABRIOLET
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Audi A5 CABRIOLET has 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is air bags problems (86% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall the dealer/ manufacturer has not offered to replace the airbags-- they claim the repair is not yet available. nhtsa shows my car, located in california is at high risk and repair should be done by december 2016. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
14
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 3 of 3)
AIR BAGS
12 complaints- • TAKATA RECALL THE DEALER/ MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS-- THEY CLAIM THE REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NHTSA SHOWS MY CAR, LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA IS AT HIGH RISK AND REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE BY DECEMBER 2016
- • "TAKATA RECALL" I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR WHILE THERE IS A RECALL IN EFFECT THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. I DON'T WANT MY FAMILY MEMBERS TO DRIVE THIS CAR EITHER. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY AUTOMOBILE THAT I AM DRIVING.
- • TAKATA RECALL IT AS BEEN 8 MONTHS SINCE THE NOTIFICATION, AND MY WIFE MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH A LIFE THREATENING AIRBAG DEFECT.....THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!
“TAKATA RECALL THE DEALER/ MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS-- THEY CLAIM THE REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NHTSA SHOWS MY CAR, LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA IS AT HIGH RISK AND REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE BY DECEMBER 2016”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (2)
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Audi A5 CABRIOLET
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Audi A5 CABRIOLET
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Audi A5 CABRIOLET Service Intervals
Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2011 A5 CABRIOLET, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 14 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL THE DEALER/ MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS-- THEY CLAIM THE REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NHTSA SHOWS MY CAR, LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA IS AT HIGH RISK AND REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE BY DECEMBER 2016
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: MY 2011 AUDI A5 2.0T HAS EXPERIENCED LOW COMPRESSION ON PISTON NUMBER 1 WHICH IS A SIGN OF ENGINE FAILURE AND REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE REDONE. SINCE THEN I HAVE CHECKED WITH AUDI MECHANICS AND ONLINE REVIEWS AND IT SEEMS LIKE MY MODEL OF AUDI HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE FACT THAT MANY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THE SOFT TOPS FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DEFECTIVE.I AQUIRED MY VEHICLE AT 65000 MILES AND THE TOP WOULD ACT FUNNY EVERY NOW AND THEN BUT IT WOULD SNAP OUT OF IT AND WORK FINE.THE BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE TOP AND HAS NOT OPERATED SINCE.GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH AUDI I WAS TOLD TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Audi A5 CABRIOLET — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 14
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Audi A5 CABRIOLET